City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Marlette, MI

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

1,771
Residents
$44,375
Median income
$116,900
Median home
$1,411
Median rent (state)

Marlette - the verdict

Nationally, Marlette sits in the 12th percentile for household income and the 54th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

12th
percentile, household income
16th
percentile, home value
55th
percentile, median rent
54th
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: Marlette, MI

Marlette is a small town in Michigan, home to 1,771 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $44,375 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 11.8%. Marlette's housing stock carries a median value of $116,900, and the median resident age is 40.2 years. About 11.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 50.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Marlette reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1241.9 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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 $1,411 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Michigan run around $238, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 66.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

1,771 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$44,375 /yr

Poverty 11.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Marlette compare to other US cities?

Here's how Marlette stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 12% higher than other cities
Home value 16% pricier than other cities
Median rent 55% pricier than other cities
Safety 54% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Michigan and the picture shifts: Marlette ranks #128 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Marlette 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 places Marlette toward the bottom of Michigan's cities

Among the 727 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Marlette ranks #555 - the 23rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Marlette only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#603 of 718
16th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#61 of 727
76th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#490 of 721
32nd percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#246 of 727
66th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#555 of 727
23rd 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.

12thIncome percentile
54thSafety percentile

12th percentile nationally for median household income · 54th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Marlette's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Marlette'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 44 Avg. percentile National median
Marlette'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 Marlette's home value compares nationally

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

$116,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 84% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Marlette $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 - Marlette, MI Marlette, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Marlette, 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 Marlette, MI median $44,375/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%
Marlette, 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 Marlette, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 11.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.8%

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

Population
1,771
Median Income
$44,375
Median Home Value
$116,900
Median Age
40.2
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Labor force participation
50.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
11.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1241.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
378.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
863.9
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.

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,830 residents1,840 residents1,850 residents1,860 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,851 residents 1,833 residents ▼ -1.0%
Marlette's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.2%
Carpool
14.2%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
6.5%
Work from Home
3.9%
Other
0.8%

Based on 713 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 Marlette sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,411/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
66.4 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

East Jordan
1,776 people
Bessemer
1,778 people
Evart
1,764 people
Cassopolis
1,763 people
Au Sable
1,780 people
Kingsley
1,783 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Marlette's 1,771 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

South Amherst, OH
1,771 people
Oswego, KS
1,770 people
Dixfield, ME
1,770 people
Bernie, MO
1,772 people
Governors Club, NC
1,772 people
Wilderness Rim, WA
1,770 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Marlette's $44,375 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Larsen Bay, AK
$44,375 median income
Humnoke, AR
$44,375 median income
Fairmead, CA
$44,375 median income
Taylorsville, GA
$44,375 median income
Switz City, IN
$44,375 median income
Earling, IA
$44,375 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Marlette, 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 Marlette, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.5% White 95.0% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 1.1% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.6% 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 Marlette 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
Marlette (this city) 1,771 $44,375
East Jordan 1,776 $53,929
Bessemer 1,778 $50,792
Evart 1,764 $34,091
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Marlette, MI?

What is the population of Marlette, MI? +

Marlette, MI counts 1,771 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Marlette runs $44,375, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Marlette? +

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

Marlette has a total crime rate of 1241.9 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 Marlette, MI? +

Marlette's median home value sits at $116,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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

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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.