Living in Otter Lake, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Otter Lake · Census data 2020–2024
Otter Lake has 379 residents with a median age of 53.9. The median household income is $42,969 (41% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $101,400, the median rent is $1,292/month.
Otter Lake is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Otter Lake at a glance
- Population
- 379
- Median age
- 53.9State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $42,969State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $101,400State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $1,292/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 91.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 6.1%
- Average commute
- 36 min
Is Otter Lake a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 56% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 41% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 36 minutes; unemployment of 6.7%; a poverty rate of 14.9%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Otter Lake
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Otter Lake the median home value is $101,400, 70% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,292 per month, which is 18.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,214 a month in housing costs.
Otter Lake median household income
The median household income in Otter Lake is $42,969 and the income per person is $29,308. 14.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Otter Lake: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 300
- Owner-occupied
- 91.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 8.4%
- Vacant
- 40.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.12
40.3% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Otter Lake has many vacation and second homes.
Otter Lake demographics
- Population
- 379
- Median age
- 53.9
- Under 18
- 9.2%
- 65 and older
- 30.6%
- Households
- 179
- Foreign-born
- 0.8%
- Veterans
- 11.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Otter Lake ›
Education in Otter Lake
6.1% of adults 25 and older in Otter Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 2.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Otter Lake
- Unemployment rate
- 6.7%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 36 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 9.9%
- Drive alone
- 81.5%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 60.9%
Otter Lake vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otter Lake | 379 | $42,969 | $101,400 | $1,292 |
| Otisville | 988 | $57,500 | $112,000 | $758 |
| Columbiaville | 754 | $54,135 | $142,600 | $770 |
| Millington | 1,122 | $56,250 | $118,000 | $894 |
| Fostoria | 1,050 | $97,434 | $123,300 | $1,007 |
| Millers Lake | 554 | $70,298 | $216,700 | — |
| Barnes Lake | 952 | $79,400 | $225,900 | — |
| Mayville | 1,045 | $52,500 | $121,300 | $669 |
| Vassar | 2,707 | $59,444 | $143,200 | $744 |
More for people moving to Otter Lake
Otter Lake ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Otter Lake: FAQ
What is the median household income in Otter Lake, MI?
The median household income in Otter Lake is $42,969, 41% 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 Otter Lake?
The median home value in Otter Lake is $101,400, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Otter Lake?
The median gross rent in Otter Lake is $1,292 per month, about 18.3% of household income.
Is Otter Lake, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 56% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 41% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 36 minutes; unemployment of 6.7%; a poverty rate of 14.9%.
What is the median age in Otter Lake?
The median age in Otter Lake is 53.9 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Otter Lake?
The average commute to work in Otter Lake is 36 minutes; 9.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Otter Lake?
The unemployment rate in Otter Lake is 6.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Otter Lake?
6.1% of adults in Otter 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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