City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Lake Isabella, MI

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

1,931
Residents
$76,923
Median income
$176,800
Median home
$1,013
Median rent (state)

Lake Isabella - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Lake Isabella places in the 58th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

58th
percentile, household income
36th
percentile, home value
21st
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Lake Isabella, MI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,931 residents in Lake Isabella, a small town within Michigan. Median household income here is $76,923 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.3%. Typical homes in Lake Isabella are valued around $176,800, and the median resident age is 46.6 years. About 30.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 50.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: the state registers 96.2 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,013 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Michigan run around $238, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 66.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

1,931 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$76,923 /yr

Poverty 7.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Lake Isabella compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 58% higher than other cities
Home value 36% pricier than other cities
Median rent 21% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Lake Isabella against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Michigan only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Michigan-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher sits close to the middle of Michigan's city distribution

Among the 727 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Lake Isabella ranks #190 - the 74th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Lake Isabella only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#160 of 718
78th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#514 of 727
28th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#283 of 721
61st percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#391 of 727
45th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#190 of 727
74th percentile in Michigan

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Michigan only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

58thIncome percentile

58th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Lake Isabella's home value compares nationally

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

$176,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 64% 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%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Lake Isabella $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 - Lake Isabella, MI Lake Isabella, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lake Isabella, 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 Lake Isabella, MI median $76,923/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%
Lake Isabella, 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 Lake Isabella, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 30.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.7%

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

Population
1,931
Median Income
$76,923
Median Home Value
$176,800
Median Age
46.6
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Labor force participation
50.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
30.8%

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,880 residents1,900 residents1,920 residents1,940 residents1,960 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,893 residents 1,952 residents ▲ +3.1%
Lake Isabella's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
75.2%
Carpool
11.4%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
0.6%
Work from Home
11.5%
Other
0.7%

Based on 807 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 Lake Isabella sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,013/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
66.1 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Hart
1,931 people
Caledonia
1,936 people
Sebewaing
1,921 people
Pinckney
1,920 people
L'Anse
1,916 people
Baraga
1,948 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lake Isabella's 1,931 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Scenic, AZ
1,931 people
Ellijay, GA
1,931 people
Middleport, NY
1,931 people
Cave City, AR
1,930 people
Dover, AR
1,932 people
Cabana Colony, FL
1,930 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lake Isabella's $76,923 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

South San Gabriel, CA
$76,921 median income
La France, SC
$76,926 median income
Olympia, WA
$76,930 median income
Cortez, FL
$76,915 median income
Hideout, UT
$76,912 median income
Boulder Hill, IL
$76,935 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lake Isabella, 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 Lake Isabella, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.5% White 94.3% Black or African American 0.4% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.1% Two or more races 3.1% 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 Lake Isabella 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
Lake Isabella (this city) 1,931 $76,923
Hart 1,931 $55,066
Caledonia 1,936 $114,167
Sebewaing 1,921 $50,779
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lake Isabella, MI?

What is the population of Lake Isabella, MI? +

1,931 people live in Lake Isabella, MI according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Lake Isabella, MI? +

Lake Isabella households earn a median of $76,923 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lake Isabella? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Lake Isabella; 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.

What is the median home value in Lake Isabella, MI? +

Lake Isabella's median home value sits at $176,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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

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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.