Bear Lake, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bear Lake, Michigan had a total population of 264, the 645th largest village in Michigan, with a median household income of $63,281, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 5.0% — among the lowest in Michigan.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 12.0% is notably above the national average.
Bear Lake Quick Facts
How Bear Lake Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 265 | 264 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $54,886 | $63,281 | +15.3% |
| Median home value | $126,400 | $155,400 | +22.9% |
How Bear Lake Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bear Lake Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Manistee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manistee | 6,275 | $60,541 | 16.8% | $164,100 |
| Parkdale | 573 | $45,000 | 27.1% | $122,100 |
| Kaleva | 542 | $43,125 | 34.6% | $94,200 |
| Oak Hill | 519 | $59,115 | 2.1% | $126,900 |
| Wellston | 353 | $53,333 | 7.4% | $108,200 |
| Brethren | 318 | $52,083 | 18.2% | $152,200 |
| Eastlake | 318 | $50,139 | 7.5% | $122,400 |
| Onekama | 305 | $32,969 | 3.6% | $185,300 |
| Copemish | 255 | $46,250 | 10.2% | $77,400 |
| Filer City | 178 | $47,083 | 2.8% | $96,100 |
Cities Similar to Bear Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. James | 269 | $62,917 | $325,000 | 48.9% | 10.2% |
| Ellsworth | 265 | $61,000 | $160,200 | 24.3% | 8.7% |
| Burlington | 264 | $66,250 | $90,800 | 13.7% | 13.3% |
| Wolverine | 265 | $67,500 | $89,000 | 9.4% | 34.1% |
| Custer | 275 | $63,125 | $131,300 | 12.8% | 13.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 264, Bear Lake's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Bear Lake is a small community located in Michigan, within Manistee County. The total population is 264. It ranks as the 645th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bear Lake is 38.6 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bear Lake is $63,281. This is 13% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.0%. This is 62% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 12.0%. This is 111% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $155,400. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Bear Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 94.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bear Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
18.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bear Lake, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bear Lake, Michigan?
Bear Lake, Michigan has a population of 264 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bear Lake, MI?
The median household income in Bear Lake is $63,281, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bear Lake, MI?
The poverty rate in Bear Lake is 5.0%. This means approximately 13 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bear Lake, Michigan?
Bear Lake's population is 85.6% White, 0.0% Black, 1.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bear Lake, MI?
The median home value in Bear Lake is $155,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Bear Lake, Michigan?
18.1% of adults (25+) in Bear Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.