Watersmeet, MI — City Data, Demographics & Statistics
Gogebic County · Michigan
City DNA
A unique fingerprint for Watersmeet based on 8 key metrics — compared to averages.
Quick Stats
Population
273
2023 ACS
Median Income
$60,708
2023
Median Home Value
$68,500
2023
Median Rent
N/A
2023
Median Age
45.6
Unemployment
0.0%
Cost of Living Index
76.4
100 = national avg
Watersmeet is a city in Gogebic County, Michigan, with a population of 273 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Watersmeet is one of the communities in Michigan.
The median household income in Watersmeet is $60,708, and the median home value is $68,500. The cost of living index is 76.4 (where 100 = national average). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, and the median age is 45.6 years.
People & Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Population
Total Population
273
Male
120
44.0%
Female
153
56.0%
Median Age
45.6
Education & Household
Bachelor's or Higher
6.2%
High School or Higher
45.4%
Foreign Born
0.0%
Veterans
7.7%
Married
51.3%
Avg Household Size
2.3
Marital Status by Age
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
0.602
Simpson's Index (0-1)
Largest Group
White
47.3%
Foreign Born
0.0%
Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.
Hispanic/Latino
2.9%
8 people
Not Hispanic/Latino
97.1%
Hispanic/Latino Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)American Indian & Alaska Native Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Languages Spoken
Total Speakers (5+)
259
English Only
100.0%
#1 Non-English Language
N/A
Limited English
0.0%
English Proficiency
Speaks English Very Well
100.0%
Limited English Proficiency
0.0%
Veterans & Military
Total Veterans
21
7.7% of population
Disability Rate
0.0%
Period of Service
Veteran Age Distribution
Male Veterans
21
100.0%
Disability Status
Without Disability
21
Disability Rate
0.0%
Ancestry & Heritage
Total Reporting Ancestry
148
#1 Ancestry
Italian
14.7% (40)
#2 Ancestry
Finnish
10.6% (29)
#3 Ancestry
American
6.6% (18)
Top 10 Ancestries
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Families & Households
Total Households
121
Family Households
81
66.9%
Married Couples
76
62.8%
Non-Family Households
40
33.1%
Single Mother Households
5
4.1%
Single Father Households
0
0.0%
Living Alone
40
33.1%
Children Under 18
Total Children
58
In Married Couple
47
81.0%
With Single Mother
11
19.0%
With Single Father
0
0.0%
Family Income
Median Family Income
$62,321
Married Couple Income
$77,656
Avg Family Size
2.3
Grandparents w/ Grandchildren
0
Grandparents Responsible
0
Economy
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Income Overview
Median Household Income
$60,708
-17% vs national
Per Capita Income
$31,190
-16% vs national
Poverty Rate
5.5%
-60% vs national
Gini Index
0.3622
0 = perfect equality
Unemployment
0.0%
-100% vs national
SNAP Recipients
17.4%
of households
How Watersmeet Compares
Watersmeet vs Similar Cities
Compared to cities with under 10,000 residents. Watersmeet is highlighted.
Median Household Income
Watersmeet, MI has a median household income of $60,708, making it the 16,188th highest median household income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Watersmeet has a higher median household income than 42% of all the cities we measured.
Per Capita Income
Watersmeet, MI has a per capita income of $31,190, making it the 16,009th highest per capita income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Watersmeet has a higher per capita income than 43% of all the cities we measured.
Poverty Rate
Watersmeet, MI has a poverty rate of 5.5%, making it the 23,128th highest poverty rate out of 31,262 cities in our database. This means that Watersmeet has a higher poverty rate than 26% of all the cities we measured.
Unemployment Rate
Watersmeet, MI has a unemployment rate of 0.0%, making it the 24,264th highest unemployment rate out of 31,012 cities in our database. This means that Watersmeet has a higher unemployment rate than 22% of all the cities we measured.
Where Do You Stack Up?
Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Watersmeet. The median household income here is $60,708.
Income Distribution
Employment Snapshot
Unemployment Rate
0.0%
-100% vs MI avg
Labor Force
129
Employed
129
How People Get to Work
Employment by Sector
Education & Workforce
Bachelor's Degree+
6.2%
of adults 25+
High School Diploma+
45.4%
of adults 25+
Median Age
45.6
Work from Home
0.0%
of workers
Top Occupations & Wages
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (2024)
Data represents the Michigan metro area
Highest-Paying Job
Software Developers
Top Median Wage
$107.8K
per year
Occupations Tracked
20
Cost of Living
Overall Index
76.4
100 = national avg
-23.6 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$33,630
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$79,489
per year
Cost Index by Category
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD
1 Bedroom
$761
per month
2 Bedroom
$973
per month
The median household income in Watersmeet, MI is $60,708, which is 17.1% below the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $31,190. The poverty rate of 5.5% is lower than the MI state average of 14.1%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.3622, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 0.0%, compared to the state average of 5.6%. The labor force is 129. 6.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. About 72.9% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 76.4, which is 23.6% below the national average. Housing costs are below the national average at an index of 45.0. A single adult needs to earn approximately $33,630 per year to cover basic expenses.
Housing & Real Estate
Market SnapshotZillow — January 2026
Zillow Home Value Index
$265,491
Watersmeet vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin
Compared to cities with under 10,000 residents. Watersmeet is highlighted.
Median Home Value
Watersmeet, MI has a median home value of $68,500, making it the 26,036th highest median home value out of 27,993 cities in our database. This means that Watersmeet has a higher median home value than 7% of all the cities we measured.
Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Home Value
$68,500
Median Rent
N/A
Total Housing Units
187
Vacancy Rate
35.3%
Owner Occupied
87.6%
Renter Occupied
12.4%
Median Property Tax
$1,239
per year
Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)
$833
Housing Types
Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Property Tax
$1,239
per year
Effective Tax Rate
1.81%
of home value
Median Home Value
$68,500
Estimated Mean Tax
$1,137
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($1,239) by the median home value ($68,500). In Watersmeet, MI, this works out to an effective rate of 1.81%. This is above the national average of approximately 1.1%.
The median home value in Watersmeet, MI is $68,500. According to Zillow, the home value index for Watersmeet is $265,491. About 87.6% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1972. There are 187 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $1,239. The effective tax rate is 1.81%, above the national average.
Crime Overview
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2022)Violent Crime Rate
0.00
per 1,000 residents
-100% vs national
Property Crime Rate
0.68
per 1,000 residents
-96% vs national
Total Crimes
1
2022
Violent Clearance
N/A
cases solved
Property Clearance
0%
cases solved
How Watersmeet Compares
Source: FBI (2022)Watersmeet vs Similar Cities
Source: FBI (2022)Compared to cities with Under 10,000 residents. Watersmeet is highlighted in green.
Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Property Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Murder Rate (per 1,000)
Crime Rate Trends
Source: FBICrime Clearance (Solve) Rates
Source: FBI (2022)Weapon Used in Violent Crime
Source: FBI (2022)Crime Breakdown
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2022)| Crime Type | Category | Count | Rate per 1K | Clearance % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | Violent | 0 | 0.00 | N/A |
| Rape | Violent | 0 | 0.00 | N/A |
| Robbery | Violent | 0 | 0.00 | N/A |
| Aggravated Assault | Violent | 0 | 0.00 | N/A |
| Burglary | Property | 0 | 0.00 | N/A |
| Larceny/Theft | Property | 1 | 0.68 | 0.0% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | Property | 0 | 0.00 | N/A |
Watersmeet, MI reported 0 violent crimes and 1 property crimes in 2022. The violent crime rate of 0.00 per 1,000 residents is 100.0% below the national average of 2.80 per 1,000. Larceny/theft accounts for 1 of the property crime reports.
Crime History
Source: FBI| Year | Violent | Property | Violent Rate | Property Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | 0.68 |
| 2021 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | 0.74 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2019 | 1 | 4 | 0.74 | 2.94 |
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
25.6
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
15.9
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
93.5
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
65.8
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
9
Public Assistance
$3.3M
Most Common Type
Flood
3 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 Pandemic → | Biological | Mar 2020 | $6K | — |
| Covid-19 → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | — |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and… → | Flood | Aug 2018 | $151K | — |
| Flooding → | Flood | Jun 2013 | $339K | — |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation → | Hurricane | Sep 2005 | — | — |
| Flooding → | Flood | May 2002 | $2.8M | — |
| Severe Deep Freeze → | Freezing | May 1994 | — | — |
| Blizzards & Snowstorms → | Snowstorm | Jan 1978 | — | — |
| Drought → | Drought | Mar 1977 | — | — |
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
10
Total Claims Paid
$38,343
Avg Claim Payout
$3,834
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
11
Federal Funding
$362,388
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
6.23
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 401.1: Water and Sanitary Sewer System Protective Measures | 5 | $170,854 |
| 95.1: FMA or CRS Plan | 1 | $13,700 |
| 900.1: Hazard Identification; 93.1: Tribal (Local) Multihazard Mitigation Plan; 94.1: Tribal Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $4,160 |
| 93.1: Tribal (Local) Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $0 |
| 701.2: Technical Assistance - Application Development/Review | 1 | $14,439 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Watersmeet has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are lightning, winter weather, cold wave. The area has had 9 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is flood (3 declarations). 10 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $3,336,625 in public assistance recovery funding. 11 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.
Health
Community Health
Source: CDC PLACES
Obesity Rate
36.4%
near the national average
Depression Rate
25.7%
2.2pp above the national average
Diabetes Rate
13.8%
1.9pp above the national average
Uninsured Rate
5.8%
4.8pp below the national average
Health Scorecard
Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)
Health Outcomes
Age-adjusted prevalence rates. Green bars indicate rates below the national average; red indicates above.
High Cholesterol
38.0%
Arthritis
33.4%
Cancer (excl. skin)
10.5%
Teeth Lost (65+)
9.3%
Health Risk Behaviors
Prevention & Screening
Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Frequent Mental Distress
17.6%
14+ days in past month
Depression
25.7%
Loneliness
32.2%
Lack of Support
23.3%
Disability Prevalence
Any Disability
34.0%
Mobility
16.0%
Cognitive
14.2%
Hearing
9.0%
Vision
5.4%
Self-Care
3.9%
Independent Living
8.9%
Health-Related Social Needs
Prevalence of social risk factors affecting community health
Watersmeet has an obesity rate of 36.4%, which is near the national average. The depression rate is 25.7%, 2.2pp above the national average. About 5.8% of adults lack health insurance. 81.9% of residents had an annual checkup in the past year.
Nearby Hospitals
Source: CMS Hospital Compare
Nearest Hospitals
5
With Emergency Services
5
Avg CMS Rating
3.5 / 5
Nearest Hospital
23.2 mi
Aspirus Iron River Hospital & ...
| Hospital | Distance | Type | Rating | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspirus Iron River Hospital & Clinics, Inc | 23.2 mi | Critical Access Hospitals | — | Yes |
| Aspirus Eagle River Hospital | 26.3 mi | Critical Access Hospitals | — | Yes |
| Howard Young Medical Center | 32.0 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 4/5 | Yes |
| Marshfield Medical Center - Minocqua | 42.2 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | — | Yes |
| Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital | 44.6 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 3/5 | Yes |
Climate & Environment
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
2
Pop. Served
2,315
Violations (5yr)
0
No violations
| System Name | Pop. Served | Violations (5yr) |
|---|---|---|
| LAC VIEUX DESERT | 1,740 | 0 |
| WATERSMEET TOWNSHIP | 575 | 0 |
There are 2 water systems serving the area.
Infrastructure
Commute Overview2023 ACS
Drive Alone
72.9%
-7% vs national
Work From Home
0.0%
-100% vs national
Carpool
20.2%
Walk
7.0%
How Watersmeet's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023
How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023
Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023
Commute data for Watersmeet, MI covers travel times and transportation modes. 72.9% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 20.2% of workers carpool. 7.0% walk to work.
Internet & Broadband Access
Source: Census ACSBroadband Access
92.6%
of households
Cable / Fiber / DSL
83.5%
of households
No Internet
0.0%
of households
Total Households
121
Internet Subscription Types
Device Ownership
Source: Census ACSHas Computer
100.0%
of households
Smartphone
92.6%
of households
Desktop / Laptop
70.3%
of households
Tablet
68.6%
of households
Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).
Electricity Rates
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)Residential Rate
19.3¢
per kWh
+1% vs Under 10,000 avg
Commercial Rate
14.0¢
per kWh
-9% vs Under 10,000 avg
Industrial Rate
8.3¢
per kWh
-30% vs Under 10,000 avg
Avg Monthly Bill
$119
residential
-19% vs Under 10,000 avg
13% above the national average of 17.1¢/kWh
Residential electricity in Michigan averages 19.3¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1¢. The average monthly electric bill is $119. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).
Watersmeet vs Similar Cities
Source: EIA (2024)Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (Under 10,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.
Residential Rate (¢/kWh)
Commercial Rate (¢/kWh)
Industrial Rate (¢/kWh)
Average Monthly Bill
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
2
Population Served
2,315
Violations (5yr)
0
| System Name | Type | Source | Pop. Served | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAC VIEUX DESERT | Community | Ground water | 1,740 | 0 |
| WATERSMEET TOWNSHIP | Community | Ground water | 575 | 0 |
92.6% of households in Watersmeet have broadband internet access. 83.5% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 0.0% of households have no internet access. 12.4% use only a smartphone without a desktop or laptop. The area is served by 2 water systems, providing water to 2,315 people. No water quality violations have been reported in the past 5 years.
Politics & Government
County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Watersmeet is located in Gogebic County, MI. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Watersmeet.
Election Overview
Source: Gogebic County (2024)2024 Winner
Republican
Dem Votes
3,385
40.8%
GOP Votes
4,803
57.9%
Total Votes
8,292
Margin
R+17.1%
Shift from 2020
R+4.6pp
vs prior election
Election History
Source: County-Level Election Results| Year | Dem Votes | GOP Votes | Total | Dem % | GOP % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3,385 | 4,803 | 8,292 | 40.8% | 57.9% | R+17.1 |
| 2020 | 3,570 | 4,600 | 8,266 | 43.2% | 55.6% | R+12.5 |
| 2016 | 2,925 | 4,019 | 7,313 | 40.0% | 55.0% | R+15.0 |
In the 2024 presidential election, Gogebic County recorded 8,292 total votes. Republicans won the county with 57.9% of the vote compared to 40.8% for Democrats, a margin of R+17.1%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+4.6pp from the previous election. Since 2016, Gogebic County has shifted 2.1 percentage points toward Republicans.
Nonprofits Overview
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFTotal Nonprofits
6
Total Assets
$483K
Total Income
$178K
Per 10K Residents
219.8
nonprofits
+67.3% vs peers avg
Orgs with >$1M Assets
0
Median Assets
$128K
Oldest Active
1983
ruling year
Newest Org
2023
ruling year
Nonprofits by Category
Source: IRS / NTEE ClassificationNonprofit Size Distribution
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFNumber of nonprofits by total asset size
When Were Nonprofits Founded?
Source: IRS Ruling DateNumber of currently active nonprofits by founding decade
Nonprofits per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: IRS BMF + Census ACSCompared to cities with population Under 10,000
Largest Nonprofits in Watersmeet
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMF| Organization | Category | Assets | Income | Est. | IRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CISCO CHAIN RIPARIAN OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC | — | $350K | $57K | 1983 | |
| INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL COALITIONOF WATERSMEET INC | Environment | $128K | $121K | 2008 | |
| OTTAWA INTERPRETIVE ASSOCIATION | — | $5K | $7 | 1994 |
Watersmeet, MI has 6 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $483K. The most common category is Environment, with 2 organizations. That works out to 219.8 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1983.
SBA Lending Overview
Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level DataTotal SBA Loans
17
Total Approved
$9.3M
Jobs Supported
60
Per 10K Residents
622.7
SBA loans
+142.6% vs peers avg
Unique Lenders
7
Top Lender
BMO Bank National Association
7 loans
Top Industry
Retail Trade
Data Span
1994–2026
Loan Program Breakdown
Source: SBA FOIALoans
16
Total Amount
$9.2M
Avg Loan
$575,063
Median Loan
$175,000
SBA Guaranteed
$7.1M(77%)
Jobs Supported
57
Loans
1
Total Amount
$111K
Avg Loan
$111,000
Median Loan
$111,000
Recent Activity (Last 5 Years)
Source: SBA FOIARecent Loans
3
18% of all-time total
Recent Amount
$5.8M
62% of all-time total
Avg Recent Loan
$1,918,000
Top Industries Funded
Source: SBA FOIA / NAICS CodesSBA Loans per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: SBA FOIA + Census ACSCompared to cities with population Under 10,000
Top SBA Borrowers
Source: SBA FOIA| Business | Loans | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Land O'lakes Storage Llc | 1 | $2.2M |
| Gateway Mart | 1 | $1.9M |
| Hesse's Vacationland Resort Llc | 1 | $1.9M |
| Gateway Express Llc | 1 | $1.7M |
| Northern Edge Sport & Marine Inc | 2 | $345K |
| Sports Impressions Inc | 2 | $300K |
| Idle Wild Resort | 1 | $280K |
| Tackle Box the | 1 | $210K |
| Watersmeet Trout Hatchery & Fish Farm Llc | 1 | $209K |
| Forest Lake Country Store Llc | 1 | $111K |
Watersmeet, MI has received 17 SBA loans totaling $9.3M in approved funding between 1994 and 2026. The 7(a) program accounts for 16 loans (94% of the total), supporting 57 jobs. The 504 program, focused on real estate and large equipment, has funded 1 loans totaling $111K. The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Retail Trade. The most active SBA lender in Watersmeet is BMO Bank National Association with 7 loans. That works out to 622.7 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.
ZIP Code Overview
Source: Census ACSZIP Codes
2
Total Population
2,039
Avg Median Income
$62,270
Avg Home Value
$234,800
ZIP Code Details
Source: Census ACS| ZIP Code | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Median Rent | Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49969 | 1,054 | $61,101 | $245,800 | $481 | 255.0 |
| 54540 | 985 | $63,438 | $223,800 | $779 | 79.9 |
Watersmeet, MI has 2 ZIP codes with a combined population of 2,039. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is $62,270. The average median home value is $234,800. The average median monthly rent is $630.
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