Bear Lake, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bear Lake, Michigan had a total population of 343, the 603rd largest community in Michigan, with a median household income of $67,188, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 12.4% 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 | 245 | 343 | +40.0% |
| Median household income | $53,750 | $67,188 | +25.0% |
| Median home value | $143,100 | $201,500 | +40.8% |
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 Kalkaska County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalkaska | 2,539 | $57,143 | 13.3% | $155,600 |
| Rapid City | 1,328 | $73,021 | 12.7% | $214,700 |
| South Boardman | 553 | $83,750 | 11.4% | $193,300 |
| Manistee Lake | 412 | $56,250 | 9.7% | $175,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fife Lake | 343 | $68,472 | $202,300 | 22.9% | 7.3% |
| Brimley | 345 | $65,313 | $146,400 | 29.8% | 10.1% |
| Glen Arbor | 336 | N/A | $700,000 | 76.8% | 1.5% |
| Leonard | 346 | $76,875 | $245,200 | 33.2% | 4.6% |
| Estral Beach | 372 | $67,083 | $219,300 | 28.3% | 11.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 343, 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 Kalkaska County. The total population is 343. It ranks as the 603rd most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bear Lake is 52.8 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 2.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 19.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bear Lake is $67,188. This is 8% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.2%. This is 38% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 12.4%. This is 118% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $201,500. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 96.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bear Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
24.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 93.7%.
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 343 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 $67,188, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bear Lake, MI?
The poverty rate in Bear Lake is 8.2%. This means approximately 28 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bear Lake, Michigan?
Bear Lake's population is 94.2% White, 0.0% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bear Lake, MI?
The median home value in Bear Lake is $201,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Bear Lake, Michigan?
24.6% of adults (25+) in Bear Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.