| City: | Grand Marais, Michigan |
| County: | Alger County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:28:57 PM |
| Population: | 373 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 906 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 46.5976, -86.1148 |
| Land Area: | 154.441 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Grand Marais sits on Lake Superior's southern shore in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This small coastal community has a year-round population of 373 residents, but that number doesn't tell the full story. With 613 total housing units and only 213 occupied year-round, 56% of homes are used seasonally or left vacant. The median age of 64.5 years makes this one of Michigan's oldest communities by demographics.
The Grand Marais post office maintains 288 PO Boxes for 213 households. That's a 1.35:1 adoption rate. Why so many boxes? Seasonal homeowners keep boxes year-round, summer residents need mail access, and this is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the area's 20.4 square miles. Two rural routes handle limited street delivery, but most residents rely on PO Boxes.
Street names tell the story of a historic lakeside village. Coast Guard Point recalls the town's maritime heritage. Lake Avenue, Canal Street, and Superior Dunes reference the dominant geographic feature. Small streets like Ellen, Emma, and Wilson crisscross the compact downtown.
This isn't a working town. Of 204 workers, 96 are in transportation (likely seasonal ferry or maritime work), 25 in healthcare, and 23 work from home (11.3% of the workforce). Median household income sits at $55,368, and median home values reach $155,100. Most residents own their homes (180 owner-occupied vs 33 rentals), typical of retirement communities.
For year-round residents and seasonal homeowners:
[Recipient Name]
PO Box [Number]
Grand Marais, MI 49839For the limited street delivery addresses on rural routes, standard addressing applies, but verify delivery availability with the post office.
Street names reference Lake Superior geography (Lake Ave, Canal St, Superior Dunes) and maritime history (Coast Guard Point), with small residential streets named Ellen, Emma, and Wilson forming the village core.
ZIP Code 49839 has 373 residents and 213 households (average 1.75 persons per household). The median age is 64.5 years, significantly older than the state (40.1) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 49.3% male and 50.7% female, which is about the same as the national male share (49.1%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (94.1%, much higher than the state average of 73.9% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (1.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 1.6%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 373Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 284Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 2.4 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $55,368Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 213Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $155,100Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 1.75Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.10Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 352 | 387 | 261 | 345 | 421 | 380 | 322 | 364 | 395 | 366 | 336 | 309 | 284 |
| Decennial Census | 479 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 373 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 64.5
Male Median Age: 65.4
Female Median Age: 63.1
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 5 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 17 | 19 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 10 | 1 |
| Female | 4 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 17 | 27 | 23 | 17 | 25 | 9 | 12 |
| Total | 9 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 13 | 17 | 5 | 11 | 15 | 34 | 46 | 50 | 46 | 53 | 19 | 13 |
| White: | 351 | 96.43% |
| Black: | 1 | 0.27% |
| Hispanic:* | 6 | 1.65% |
| Asian: | 1 | 0.27% |
| American Indian: | 4 | 1.10% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 1 | 0.27% |
| Total: | 364 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 184 | 49.33% | 65.4 years |
| Females: | 189 | 50.67% | 63.1 years |
| Total: | 373 | 100% | 64.5 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 284 | 100.00% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 284 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 284 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $55,368, which is much lower than the national median ($78,538), is up $25,011 (82.4%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $27,243. Family households earn a median of $84,286 versus $46,875 for nonfamily households (a difference of $37,411). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $56,146, which is markedly greater than the state female median ($51,279), with a current gap of $56,146 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 42.1%, which is far less than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is considerably lower than the state rate (5.8%). The largest occupation group is Management (63.5%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $30,357 | $32,083 | $31,167 | $33,500 | $34,167 | $31,364 | $31,875 | $26,806 | $28,125 | $38,679 | $41,972 | $44,716 | $55,368 |
| Median Family Income | $38,077 | $38,047 | $36,625 | $36,591 | $36,339 | $34,583 | $39,643 | $40,577 | $0 | $39,599 | $0 | $47,969 | $84,286 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $20,000 | $23,333 | $14,803 | $17,115 | $17,109 | $14,861 | $14,306 | $18,750 | $20,625 | $22,656 | $27,679 | $0 | $46,875 |
| Median Male Income | $38,646 | $38,438 | $42,083 | $50,250 | $0 | $50,833 | $50,833 | $40,000 | $41,591 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $9,643 | $12,188 | $11,964 | $25,139 | $0 | $26,136 | $26,364 | $26,333 | $36,094 | $38,281 | $39,219 | $44,286 | $56,146 |
| Employed: | 115 | 42.12% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 158 | 57.88% |
| Total: | 273 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 73 | 63.48% |
| Service: | 10 | 8.70% |
| Sales and Office: | 24 | 20.87% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 8 | 6.96% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 115 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $155,100, which is much lower than the national median ($303,400), is up $27,300 (21.36%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $38,700. The median gross rent is $0, which is far less than the state median ($1,084), is down $514 (100.00%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $661. Of occupied housing, owners make up 91.08% (30.77% with a mortgage, 69.23% free-and-clear) and renters 8.92% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 72.93%, which is far higher than the national rate (10.43%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $127,800 | $117,900 | $114,700 | $119,100 | $128,800 | $134,000 | $151,400 | $180,400 | $193,800 | $149,300 | $147,300 | $150,000 | $155,100 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 14 | 100.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 14 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $514 | $565 | $567 | $568 | $570 | $0 | $0 | $586 | $661 | $666 | $734 | $798 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 44 | 28.03% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 99 | 63.06% |
| Renter Occupied: | 14 | 8.92% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 157 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 157 | 27.07% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 423 | 72.93% |
| Total Housing Units: | 580 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 530 | 91.38% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 23 | 3.97% |
| Other Units: | 27 | 4.66% |
| Total Housing Units: | 580 | 100% |
In 2023, 38.80% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is on par with the state rate (31.80%). High school or higher is 95.40%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 13.70%, which is on par with the state rate (5.00%). Public coverage is 65.10%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.30%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is on par with the state rate (8.80%), down 13.30 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 8.30 percentage points. This points to a pronounced improvement in local conditions - rising incomes, firmer consumer demand, and a stronger tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is high school (36.11%). College enrollment is 33.33%, which is on par with the state rate (26.60%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 12 | 4.62% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 82 | 31.54% |
| Some college, no degree: | 50 | 19.23% |
| Associate's degree: | 15 | 5.77% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 43 | 16.54% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 58 | 22.31% |
| Total: | 260 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 248 | 95.38% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 101 | 38.85% |
| Private Insurance: | 219 | 49.44% |
| Public Insurance: | 185 | 41.76% |
| No Insurance: | 39 | 8.80% |
| Total: | 443 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 404 | 91.20% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 13.3% | 12.4% | 9.9% | 11.0% | 15.7% | 15.1% | 15.9% | 15.0% | 8.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 11 | 30.56% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 13 | 36.11% |
| College or graduate school: | 12 | 33.33% |
| Total: | 36 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 24 | 66.67% |
ZIP Code 49839 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 18 business establishments, employing about 66 people with an annual payroll of $2,047,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 329Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 18Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $397,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $2,047,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 66Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 49839 is located in Alger County, Michigan, within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA ) and Michigan's 1st Congressional District. This area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 49839. It covers 154.441 sq mi of land and a water area of 35.158 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Number: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 0Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 154.441 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 35.158 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 25027.75 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 2633440Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Grand Marais CDP; MichiganSource: Census |
ZIP Code 49839 is in the Burt Township School District, which serves grades Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 1 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 3 private school(s). It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on January 1, 2026.