City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Grayling, MI

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

1,638
Residents
$31,719
Median income
$131,800
Median home
$1,038
Median rent (state)

Grayling - the verdict

Nationally, Grayling sits in the 3rd percentile for household income and the 59th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

3rd
percentile, household income
21st
percentile, home value
23rd
percentile, median rent
59th
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: Grayling, MI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,638 residents in Grayling, a small town within Michigan. Grayling households earn a median of $31,719 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 18.2%. Home values in Grayling run a median of $131,800, and the median resident age is 41.8 years. About 15.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 36.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Grayling reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1112.2 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 43.3°F with 33.2 inches of precipitation per year and 88.3 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Michigan scores 96.2 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,038 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Michigan run around $238, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 18.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

1,638 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$31,719 /yr

Poverty 18.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Grayling compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 3% higher than other cities
Home value 21% pricier than other cities
Median rent 23% pricier than other cities
Safety 59% 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, Grayling ranks #112 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 Grayling'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.

3rdIncome percentile
59thSafety percentile

3rd percentile nationally for median household income · 59th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Grayling's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Grayling'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 47 Avg. percentile National median
Grayling'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 Grayling's home value compares nationally

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

$131,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 79% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Grayling $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 - Grayling, MI Grayling, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Grayling, 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 Grayling, MI median $31,719/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%
Grayling, 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 Grayling, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 36.3%

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

Population
1,638
Median Income
$31,719
Median Home Value
$131,800
Median Age
41.8
Poverty Rate
18.2%
Labor force participation
36.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1112.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
101.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1011.1
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
43.3°F
Annual Precipitation
33.2"
Annual Snowfall
88.3"

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 →
1,800 residents1,850 residents1,900 residents1,950 residents2,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,850 residents 1,969 residents ▲ +6.4%
Grayling's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
72.0%
Carpool
3.6%
Public Transit
2.4%
Walk
14.4%
Work from Home
6.2%
Other
1.4%

Based on 500 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 Grayling sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,038/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
18.0 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

White Pigeon
1,637 people
Laingsburg
1,640 people
Olivet
1,633 people
Morrice
1,647 people
Bingham Farms
1,652 people
Tawas City
1,654 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Grayling's 1,638 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Pacific, OR
1,638 people
South Dos Palos, CA
1,637 people
Lincoln, DE
1,639 people
Warren, MN
1,637 people
Harbor Hills, OH
1,639 people
Halsey, OR
1,637 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Grayling's $31,719 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Haywood City, MO
$31,719 median income
Bridgeport, AL
$31,723 median income
Martinsburg, MO
$31,735 median income
Kilmarnock, VA
$31,696 median income
Hugo, OK
$31,694 median income
Lawndale, NC
$31,691 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Grayling, 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 Grayling, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.1% White 95.0% Black or African American 0.9% Asian 0.7% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.7% Two or more races 1.8% 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 Grayling 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
Grayling (this city) 1,638 $31,719
White Pigeon 1,637 $44,063
Laingsburg 1,640 $75,547
Olivet 1,633 $44,940
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Grayling, MI?

What is the population of Grayling, MI? +

Grayling, MI has a population of 1,638 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Grayling runs $31,719, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Grayling? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Grayling; 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 Grayling, MI safe? +

Grayling has a total crime rate of 1112.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Grayling, MI? +

Grayling's median home value sits at $131,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Grayling? +

Climate normals put Grayling's yearly average temperature at 43.3°F, 33.2 inches of precipitation, and 88.3 inches of snowfall per year. 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.