Living in Gaines, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Gaines · Census data 2020–2024
Gaines has 552 residents with a median age of 42.9. The median household income is $62,083 (15% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $134,800, the median rent is $850/month.
Gaines is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Gaines at a glance
- Population
- 552
- Median age
- 42.9State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $62,083State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $134,800State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $850/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 89.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 11.7%
- Average commute
- 32 min
Is Gaines a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 42% lower than the state median; unemployment of 4%; a poverty rate of 7.1%.
Cons: Median household income 15% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 32 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Gaines
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Gaines the median home value is $134,800, 59% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $850 per month, which is 30.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $971 a month in housing costs.
Gaines median household income
The median household income in Gaines is $62,083 and the income per person is $27,484. 7.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Gaines: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 205
- Owner-occupied
- 89.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 10.8%
- Vacant
- 4.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1952
- Average household size
- 2.83
Gaines demographics
- Population
- 552
- Median age
- 42.9
- Under 18
- 27%
- 65 and older
- 21%
- Households
- 195
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 4.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Gaines ›
Education in Gaines
11.7% of adults 25 and older in Gaines have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 0.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Gaines
- Unemployment rate
- 4%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 32 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 6.9%
- Drive alone
- 79.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.1%
Gaines vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaines | 552 | $62,083 | $134,800 | $850 |
| Byron | 617 | $58,958 | $165,400 | $980 |
| Durand | 3,483 | $66,743 | $140,300 | $851 |
| Argentine | 2,190 | $125,313 | $328,700 | $841 |
| Linden | 4,160 | $79,464 | $239,700 | $809 |
| Swartz Creek | 5,853 | $71,571 | $174,200 | $1,247 |
| Vernon | 697 | $69,625 | $133,400 | $1,250 |
| Lennon | 465 | $66,111 | $167,600 | $850 |
| Bancroft | 469 | $90,000 | $135,600 | $944 |
More for people moving to Gaines
Gaines ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Gaines: FAQ
What is the median household income in Gaines, MI?
The median household income in Gaines is $62,083, 15% 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 Gaines?
The median home value in Gaines is $134,800, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Gaines?
The median gross rent in Gaines is $850 per month, about 30.8% of household income.
Is Gaines, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 42% lower than the state median; unemployment of 4%; a poverty rate of 7.1%. Minuses: median household income 15% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 32 minutes.
What is the median age in Gaines?
The median age in Gaines is 42.9 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Gaines?
The average commute to work in Gaines is 32 minutes; 6.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Gaines?
The unemployment rate in Gaines is 4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Gaines?
11.7% of adults in Gaines 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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