Living in Central Lake, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Central Lake · Census data 2020–2024
Central Lake has 1,051 residents with a median age of 35.4. The median household income is $63,269 (13% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $167,100, the median rent is $1,008/month.
Central Lake is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Central Lake at a glance
- Population
- 1,051
- Median age
- 35.4State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $63,269State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $167,100State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $1,008/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 75.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24.3%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Central Lake a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 28% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.3%; a poverty rate of 8.7%.
Cons: Median household income 13% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 25 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Central Lake
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Central Lake the median home value is $167,100, 50% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,008 per month, which is 21.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $996 a month in housing costs.
Central Lake median household income
The median household income in Central Lake is $63,269 and the income per person is $24,664. 8.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Central Lake: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 556
- Owner-occupied
- 75.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 24.7%
- Vacant
- 29.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1973
- Average household size
- 2.65
Central Lake demographics
- Population
- 1,051
- Median age
- 35.4
- Under 18
- 31.1%
- 65 and older
- 23%
- Households
- 392
- Foreign-born
- 0.6%
- Veterans
- 6.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Central Lake ›
Education in Central Lake
24.3% of adults 25 and older in Central Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 7.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Central Lake
- Unemployment rate
- 2.3%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 5.9%
- Drive alone
- 67.2%
- Public transit
- 0.5%
- Walk to work
- 6.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.2%
Central Lake vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Lake | 1,051 | $63,269 | $167,100 | $1,008 |
| Eastport | 311 | $55,761 | $331,300 | — |
| Ellsworth | 265 | $61,000 | $160,200 | $607 |
| Bellaire | 1,008 | $55,789 | $230,100 | $799 |
| East Jordan | 2,023 | $60,104 | $148,000 | $812 |
| Norwood | 126 | $68,125 | $353,800 | — |
| Advance | 377 | $110,417 | $563,800 | $1,375 |
| Alden | 133 | $56,250 | $311,400 | — |
| Ironton | 173 | $93,750 | $246,400 | — |
More for people moving to Central Lake
Central Lake ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Central Lake: FAQ
What is the median household income in Central Lake, MI?
The median household income in Central Lake is $63,269, 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 Central Lake?
The median home value in Central Lake is $167,100, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Central Lake?
The median gross rent in Central Lake is $1,008 per month, about 21.5% of household income.
Is Central Lake, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 28% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.3%; a poverty rate of 8.7%. Minuses: median household income 13% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 25 minutes.
What is the median age in Central Lake?
The median age in Central Lake is 35.4 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Central Lake?
The average commute to work in Central Lake is 25 minutes; 5.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Central Lake?
The unemployment rate in Central Lake is 2.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Central Lake?
24.3% of adults in Central 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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