Alpena, MI

Census place 2601740 · pop 10,154

D−38/ 100
🫤 Rough
D−
in MI
📍 Michigan ranks #42 of 50 states →
🏆 Disaster6/100 · top 1%
🚽 Jobs5.9% · bottom 4%
Taxes
1.48% property · US 0.99%6.00% sales · US 7.00%4.25% flat income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Unemployment rateCounty-level5.9%4

U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities

5.9% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Broadband access82.9%7

U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities

82.9% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Adult smoking19.1%8

U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities

19.1% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Median household income$47,5459

U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities

$47,545 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Adult obesity41.9%11

U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities

41.9% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Bachelor's degree or higher16.2%12

U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities

16.2% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Poverty rate21.2%15

U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities

21.2% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Violent crime rate534/100k15

U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities

534 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Poor mental health19.4%17

U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities

19.4% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Income inequality0.4821

U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities

Gini 0.48 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Physical inactivity30.0%25

U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities

30.0% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Property-tax burden1.48%28

U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities

1.48% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Population growth (5yr)+1.2%38

U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities

+1.2% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Homeownership66.0%56

U.S. median 67.2% · better than most cities

66.0% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Property crime rate1049/100k59

U.S. median 964/100k · better than most cities

1049 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Uninsured adults7.8%68

U.S. median 9.3% · better than most cities

7.8% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Housing cost$118,70093

U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities

$118,700 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Commute time11 min99

U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities

11 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level6/100100

U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities

6/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Not measured for Alpena: Air, Bad air, Rent. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.

Frequently asked

Is Alpena, MI a good place to live?
By the numbers, Alpena scores 38/100 — a D− (Rough) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 19 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is natural disaster risk and its weakest is unemployment rate. Michigan overall ranks #42 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
How safe is Alpena, MI?
Alpena reports 534 violent crimes per 100k and 1049 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Alpena, MI expensive to live in?
Alpena has a median home value of $118,700 — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Alpena, MI?
Its weakest measured area is unemployment rate (5.9%) — 4/100, worse than most U.S. cities. (A county-level figure.)
What is Alpena, MI best at?
Its strongest measured area is natural disaster risk (6/100) — 100/100, better than most U.S. cities. (A county-level figure.)

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.