Ferndale, MI

Census place 2627880 · pop 19,190

D55/ 100
😐 Meh
C
in MI
📍 Michigan ranks #42 of 50 states →
🏆 Inactive15.7% · top 6%
🚽 Growth-4.7% · bottom 9%
Taxes
1.56% 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

Population growth (5yr)-4.7%9

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

-4.7% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Property-tax burden1.56%24

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

1.56% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level96/10027

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

96/100 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.

Air quality (AQI)County-level45 AQI39

U.S. median 42 AQI · worse than most cities

45 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Property crime rate1534/100k42

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

1534 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Unemployment rateCounty-level3.8%43

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

3.8% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Violent crime rate205/100k49

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

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

Rent$1,761/mo49

U.S. median $1,756/mo · worse than most cities

$1,761/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).

Broadband access92.1%54

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

92.1% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Commute time23 min54

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

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

Poor mental health16.7%56

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

16.7% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Housing cost$247,70057

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

$247,700 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Homeownership66.6%58

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

66.6% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Unhealthy air daysCounty-level1 days62

U.S. median 1 days · better than most cities

1 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Poverty rate9.0%63

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

9.0% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Median household income$94,64071

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

$94,640 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Adult obesity31.2%71

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

31.2% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Income inequality0.4073

U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities

Gini 0.40 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Adult smoking10.8%74

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

10.8% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Bachelor's degree or higher57.9%89

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

57.9% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Uninsured adults5.2%92

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

5.2% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Physical inactivity15.7%94

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

15.7% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Frequently asked

Is Ferndale, MI a good place to live?
By the numbers, Ferndale scores 55/100 — a D (Meh) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is physical inactivity and its weakest is population growth (5yr). 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 Ferndale, MI?
Ferndale reports 205 violent crimes per 100k and 1534 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Ferndale, MI expensive to live in?
Ferndale has a median home value of $247,700 and typical rent around $1,761/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Ferndale, MI?
Its weakest measured area is population growth (5yr) (-4.7%) — 9/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Ferndale, MI best at?
Its strongest measured area is physical inactivity (15.7%) — 94/100, better than most U.S. cities.

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