Living in Sand Lake, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sand Lake · Census data 2020–2024
Sand Lake has 1,348 residents with a median age of 60.5. The median household income is $58,162 (20% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $157,500, the median rent is $692/month.
Sand Lake is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Sand Lake at a glance
- Population
- 1,348
- Median age
- 60.5State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $58,162State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $157,500State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $692/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 90.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18.4%
- Average commute
- 37 min
Is Sand Lake a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 32% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 20% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 37 minutes; unemployment of 5.8%; a poverty rate of 16.4%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Sand Lake
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Sand Lake the median home value is $157,500, 53% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $692 per month, which is 27.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $940 a month in housing costs.
Sand Lake median household income
The median household income in Sand Lake is $58,162 and the income per person is $32,401. 16.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Sand Lake: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,657
- Owner-occupied
- 90.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 9.2%
- Vacant
- 60.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1971
- Average household size
- 2.06
60.5% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Sand Lake has many vacation and second homes.
Sand Lake demographics
- Population
- 1,348
- Median age
- 60.5
- Under 18
- 11.5%
- 65 and older
- 38.6%
- Households
- 655
- Foreign-born
- 2.4%
- Veterans
- 16.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sand Lake ›
Education in Sand Lake
18.4% of adults 25 and older in Sand Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 7.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sand Lake
- Unemployment rate
- 5.8%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 37 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 12.3%
- Drive alone
- 78.6%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 89%
Sand Lake vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Lake | 1,348 | $58,162 | $157,500 | $692 |
| Tawas City | 1,614 | $46,014 | $138,000 | $806 |
| East Tawas | 2,675 | $42,450 | $130,200 | $608 |
| Whittemore | 492 | $33,214 | $80,900 | $481 |
| Prescott | 270 | $57,885 | $68,800 | $1,339 |
| Twining | 192 | $44,271 | $85,000 | $905 |
| Au Sable | 1,643 | $42,431 | $113,600 | $915 |
| Oscoda | 654 | $46,801 | $86,500 | $522 |
| Lupton | 206 | $60,208 | $77,500 | — |
More for people moving to Sand Lake
Sand Lake ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sand Lake: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sand Lake, MI?
The median household income in Sand Lake is $58,162, 20% 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 Sand Lake?
The median home value in Sand Lake is $157,500, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Sand Lake?
The median gross rent in Sand Lake is $692 per month, about 27.7% of household income.
Is Sand Lake, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 32% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 20% lower than the Michigan median; an average commute of 37 minutes; unemployment of 5.8%; a poverty rate of 16.4%.
What is the median age in Sand Lake?
The median age in Sand Lake is 60.5 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Sand Lake?
The average commute to work in Sand Lake is 37 minutes; 12.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sand Lake?
The unemployment rate in Sand Lake is 5.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sand Lake?
18.4% of adults in Sand 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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