Living in Bear Lake, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Bear Lake · Census data 2020–2024
Bear Lake has 264 residents with a median age of 38.6. The median household income is $63,281 (13% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $155,400.
Bear Lake is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Bear Lake at a glance
- Population
- 264
- Median age
- 38.6State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $63,281State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $155,400State: $231,600
- Homeowners
- 94.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18.1%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Bear Lake a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 33% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 5%.
Cons: Median household income 13% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 12%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Bear Lake
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Bear Lake the median home value is $155,400, 53% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of — per month. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,048 a month in housing costs.
Bear Lake median household income
The median household income in Bear Lake is $63,281 and the income per person is $28,075. 5% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Bear Lake: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 143
- Owner-occupied
- 94.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 5.3%
- Vacant
- 33.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1948
- Average household size
- 2.78
33.6% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Bear Lake has many vacation and second homes.
Bear Lake demographics
- Population
- 264
- Median age
- 38.6
- Under 18
- 16.3%
- 65 and older
- 15.5%
- Households
- 95
- Foreign-born
- 0.8%
- Veterans
- 13.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Bear Lake ›
Education in Bear Lake
18.1% of adults 25 and older in Bear Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 2.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Bear Lake
- Unemployment rate
- 12%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 0%
- Drive alone
- 58.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 96.8%
Bear Lake vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Lake | 264 | $63,281 | $155,400 | — |
| Onekama | 305 | $32,969 | $185,300 | $488 |
| Arcadia | 120 | $85,694 | $262,500 | — |
| Kaleva | 542 | $43,125 | $94,200 | $1,594 |
| Crystal Mountain | 166 | $120,938 | $547,400 | — |
| Brethren | 318 | $52,083 | $152,200 | — |
| Copemish | 255 | $46,250 | $77,400 | $950 |
| Parkdale | 573 | $45,000 | $122,100 | — |
| Thompsonville | 490 | $66,250 | $115,800 | $734 |
More for people moving to Bear Lake
Bear Lake ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Bear Lake: FAQ
What is the median household income in Bear Lake, MI?
The median household income in Bear Lake is $63,281, 13% lower than the Michigan median of $72,875 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Bear Lake?
The median home value in Bear Lake is $155,400, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
Is Bear Lake, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 33% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 5%. Minuses: median household income 13% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 12%.
What is the median age in Bear Lake?
The median age in Bear Lake is 38.6 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Bear Lake?
The average commute to work in Bear Lake is 26 minutes; 0% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Bear Lake?
The unemployment rate in Bear Lake is 12% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Bear Lake?
18.1% of adults in Bear Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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