City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Gaylord, MI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Gaylord - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

4,307
Residents
$44,052
Median income
$170,300
Median home
$1,100
Median rent (state)

Gaylord - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Gaylord lands in the 12th percentile for household income and the 8th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

12th
percentile, household income
34th
percentile, home value
29th
percentile, median rent
8th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Gaylord, MI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 4,307 residents in Gaylord, a small town within Michigan. The typical household in Gaylord brings in $44,052 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 1.8%. Typical homes in Gaylord are valued around $170,300, and the median resident age is 38.0 years. 20.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 60.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Gaylord's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3884.6 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Gaylord's yearly average temperature at 43.0°F with 37.2 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Michigan at 96.2 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,100 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $238 across Michigan, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 18.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

4,307 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$44,052 /yr

Poverty 1.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Gaylord compare to other US cities?

Where Gaylord sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 12% higher than other cities
Home value 34% pricier than other cities
Median rent 29% pricier than other cities
Safety 8% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Michigan, Gaylord ranks #238 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Gaylord's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Michigan, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

12thIncome percentile
8thSafety percentile

12th percentile nationally for median household income · 8th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Gaylord's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Gaylord's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 30 Avg. percentile National median
Gaylord's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Gaylord's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$170,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 66% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Gaylord $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Gaylord, MI Gaylord, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Gaylord, MI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Gaylord, MI median $44,052/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Gaylord, MI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Gaylord, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
4,307
Median Income
$44,052
Median Home Value
$170,300
Median Age
38.0
Poverty Rate
1.8%
Labor force participation
60.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3884.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
499.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3384.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
43.0°F
Annual Precipitation
37.2"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,250 residents4,300 residents4,350 residents4,400 residents4,450 residents4,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,294 residents 4,444 residents ▲ +3.5%
Gaylord's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
66.4%
Carpool
16.3%
Public Transit
2.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
13.8%
Other
1.5%

Based on 2,008 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Michigan - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$238
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Michigan state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Michigan state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Gaylord sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,100/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
18.4 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Middleville
4,327 people
Caro
4,284 people
Sparta
4,260 people
Buchanan
4,259 people
Bloomfield Hills
4,412 people
Wayland
4,430 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Gaylord's 4,307 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Staunton, IL
4,307 people
Crandall, TX
4,307 people
Whiteriver, AZ
4,308 people
Bonsall, CA
4,308 people
Lower Grand Lagoon, FL
4,305 people
Leisure Village East, NJ
4,309 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Gaylord's $44,052 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Escalante, UT
$44,048 median income
Hundred, WV
$44,046 median income
Shiloh, TN
$44,043 median income
Teec Nos Pos, AZ
$44,063 median income
Bronwood, GA
$44,063 median income
Economy, IN
$44,063 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Gaylord, MI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Gaylord, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 92.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.5% White 92.5% Black or African American 2.3% Asian 0.5% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 4.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Gaylord compares to nearby Michigan cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Gaylord (this city) 4,307 $44,052
Middleville 4,327 $71,417
Caro 4,284 $41,940
Sparta 4,260 $55,474
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Gaylord, MI?

What is the population of Gaylord, MI? +

The population of Gaylord, MI stands at 4,307 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Gaylord, MI? +

Median annual household income in Gaylord runs $44,052, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Gaylord? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Gaylord; the closest available measure is the Michigan state average, a cost of living index of 96.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Michigan vary by metro area.

Is Gaylord, MI safe? +

Gaylord has a total crime rate of 3884.6 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Gaylord, MI? +

The median home value in Gaylord is $170,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Gaylord? +

The average annual temperature in Gaylord runs 43.0°F, 37.2 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.