City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Sylvan Lake, MI

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

1,672
Residents
$106,806
Median income
$356,800
Median home
$1,411
Median rent (state)

Sylvan Lake - the verdict

Nationally, Sylvan Lake sits in the 81st percentile for household income and the 71st percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

81st
percentile, household income
73rd
percentile, home value
55th
percentile, median rent
71st
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: Sylvan Lake, MI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,672 residents in Sylvan Lake, a small town within Michigan. Median household income here is $106,806 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 1.2%. Typical homes in Sylvan Lake are valued around $356,800, and the median resident age is 52.9 years. 52.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 63.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 2 residential building permits were authorized in Sylvan Lake (Low Activity), per Census BPS data. Sylvan Lake reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 824.5 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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,411 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $238 across Michigan, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 97.5 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

1,672 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$106,806 /yr

Poverty 1.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Sylvan Lake compare to other US cities?

Sylvan Lake measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 81% higher than other cities
Home value 73% pricier than other cities
Median rent 55% pricier than other cities
Safety 71% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Michigan alone, Sylvan Lake ranks #85 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Michigan-relative analysis

Median Home Value is Sylvan Lake's strongest outlier among Michigan cities

Among the 721 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Sylvan Lake ranks #50 - the 93rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Sylvan Lake only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#49 of 718
93rd percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#61 of 727
76th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#50 of 721
93rd percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#645 of 727
11th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#57 of 727
92nd 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.

81stIncome percentile
71stSafety percentile

81st percentile nationally for median household income · 71st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sylvan Lake's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sylvan Lake'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 63 Avg. percentile National median
Sylvan Lake'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 Sylvan Lake's home value compares nationally

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

$356,800 27th percentile more affordable than 27% 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%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Sylvan Lake $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 - Sylvan Lake, MI Sylvan Lake, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sylvan Lake, 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 Sylvan Lake, MI median $106,806/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%
Sylvan Lake, 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 Sylvan Lake, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 52.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.4%

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

Population
1,672
Median Income
$106,806
Median Home Value
$356,800
Median Age
52.9
Poverty Rate
1.2%
Labor force participation
63.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
52.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
824.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
58.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
765.6
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.

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,680 residents1,690 residents1,700 residents1,710 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,707 residents 1,685 residents ▼ -1.3%
Sylvan Lake's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 1
2021 11
2022 2
2023 1
2024 2

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.8%
Carpool
0.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.8%
Work from Home
16.6%

Based on 975 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 Sylvan Lake 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
97.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Howard City
1,683 people
Wacousta
1,686 people
Tawas City
1,654 people
Bingham Farms
1,652 people
Zilwaukee
1,696 people
Morrice
1,647 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sylvan Lake's 1,672 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Catlettsburg, KY
1,672 people
Surrey, ND
1,672 people
Fránquez comunidad, PR
1,672 people
La Huerta, NM
1,673 people
Danbury, TX
1,671 people
Descanso, CA
1,670 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sylvan Lake's $106,806 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Boalsburg, PA
$106,806 median income
Point Comfort, TX
$106,806 median income
Downs, IL
$106,809 median income
Layton, NJ
$106,799 median income
Havre de Grace, MD
$106,798 median income
Teays Valley, WV
$106,798 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sylvan Lake, 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 Sylvan Lake, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.9% White 90.8% Black or African American 2.5% Asian 0.6% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 5.3% 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 Sylvan Lake 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
Sylvan Lake (this city) 1,672 $106,806
Howard City 1,683 $52,663
Wacousta 1,686 $126,471
Tawas City 1,654 $46,797
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sylvan Lake, MI?

What is the population of Sylvan Lake, MI? +

Sylvan Lake, MI counts 1,672 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Sylvan Lake, the typical household earns $106,806 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sylvan Lake? +

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

Sylvan Lake has a total crime rate of 824.5 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 Sylvan Lake, MI? +

The median home value in Sylvan Lake is $356,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, Census BPS 2024, 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.