Living in Shepherd, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Shepherd · Census data 2020–2024
Shepherd has 1,457 residents with a median age of 32.9. The median household income is $70,156 (4% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $157,000, the median rent is $789/month.
Shepherd is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Shepherd at a glance
- Population
- 1,457
- Median age
- 32.9State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $70,156State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $157,000State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $789/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 66.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26.6%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Shepherd a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 32% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 0.9%.
Cons: Median household income 4% lower than the Michigan median; a poverty rate of 17%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Shepherd
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Shepherd the median home value is $157,000, 53% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $789 per month, which is 26.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,203 a month in housing costs.
Shepherd median household income
The median household income in Shepherd is $70,156 and the income per person is $30,075. 17% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Shepherd: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 607
- Owner-occupied
- 66.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 33.6%
- Vacant
- 7.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1964
- Average household size
- 2.58
Shepherd demographics
- Population
- 1,457
- Median age
- 32.9
- Under 18
- 19.9%
- 65 and older
- 13.1%
- Households
- 560
- Foreign-born
- 1.2%
- Veterans
- 4.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Shepherd ›
Education in Shepherd
26.6% of adults 25 and older in Shepherd have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 8.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Shepherd
- Unemployment rate
- 0.9%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 2.8%
- Drive alone
- 86.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 5.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.6%
Shepherd vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shepherd | 1,457 | $70,156 | $157,000 | $789 |
| Mount Pleasant | 21,236 | $44,706 | $173,100 | $922 |
| St. Louis | 7,367 | $51,167 | $119,200 | $794 |
| Alma | 9,396 | $53,307 | $115,900 | $836 |
| Winn | 226 | $136,136 | $209,500 | — |
| Rosebush | 331 | $44,750 | $104,500 | $591 |
| Breckenridge | 1,517 | $57,540 | $111,500 | $731 |
| Beal City | 293 | $74,875 | $197,700 | — |
| Ithaca | 2,817 | $63,109 | $133,200 | $819 |
More for people moving to Shepherd
Shepherd ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Shepherd: FAQ
What is the median household income in Shepherd, MI?
The median household income in Shepherd is $70,156, 4% 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 Shepherd?
The median home value in Shepherd is $157,000, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Shepherd?
The median gross rent in Shepherd is $789 per month, about 26.1% of household income.
Is Shepherd, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 32% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 0.9%. Minuses: median household income 4% lower than the Michigan median; a poverty rate of 17%.
What is the median age in Shepherd?
The median age in Shepherd is 32.9 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Shepherd?
The average commute to work in Shepherd is 18 minutes; 2.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Shepherd?
The unemployment rate in Shepherd is 0.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Shepherd?
26.6% of adults in Shepherd 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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