Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Bear Lake, MI Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

264

Median Agei

38.6

Race & Ethnicityi

White

85.6%226

Two or More

10.2%27

American Indian/Alaska Native

2.3%6

Hispanic/Latino

1.9%5

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

1.8%3

High School Diploma

33.9%58

Some College (<1 yr)

6.4%11

Some College (1+ yr)

18.1%31

Associate's Degree

10.5%18

Bachelor's Degree

15.8%27

Master's Degree

1.8%3

Professional Degree

0.6%1

HS or Higher

88.9%

BA or Higher

18.1%

Graduate+

2.3%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$155,400

Median Renti

—

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

94.7%90

Renter-Occupied

5.3%5

Total Units

143

Homeownership

94.7%

Vacancy Rate

33.6%

Home Values

Under $50K

14.4%13

$50K–$100K

23.3%21

$100K–$150K

8.9%8

$150K–$200K

26.7%24

$200K–$300K

17.8%16

$300K–$500K

8.9%8

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$1,000–$1,250

Year Built

2000–2009

2.1%3

1990–1999

3.5%5

1980–1989

7%10

1970–1979

14%20

1960–1969

9.8%14

1950–1959

10.5%15

1940–1949

18.2%26

1939 or earlier

35%50

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

72.6%69

Bottled/LP Gas

21.1%20

Electricity

5.3%5

Fuel Oil

1.1%1

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$63,281

Mean Household Incomei

$71,685

Per Capita Incomei

$28,075

Poverty Ratei

4.9%

Unemploymenti

12%

Labor Forcei

158

Household Income Distribution

$15K–$20K

4.2%4

$20K–$25K

6.3%6

$25K–$30K

5.3%5

$30K–$35K

7.4%7

$35K–$40K

2.1%2

$40K–$45K

2.1%2

$45K–$50K

3.2%3

$50K–$60K

9.5%9

$60K–$75K

25.3%24

$75K–$100K

11.6%11

$100K–$125K

7.4%7

$125K–$150K

8.4%8

$150K–$200K

7.4%7

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

20.8%

By Region

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

139

Avg. Commutei

25.8 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

139

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

29(13.1% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

95.1%Insured

4.9%Uninsured