Signals
Sturgis
Ionia
Opportunity
24 · Bottom 3%
vs29 · Bottom 6%
Climate
62 · Bottom 20%
vs62 · Bottom 22%
Physical resilience
76 · Top 29%
vs76 · Top 29%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 8%
vs100 · Top 8%
Schools
32 · Bottom 25%
vs40 · Bottom 35%
Access
82 · Bottom 25%
vs90 · Bottom 41%
Economic stability
55 · Bottom 41%
vs45 · Bottom 24%
Measured values
| Metric | Sturgis | Ionia | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,054 | 12,753 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $62,710 | $63,978 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $30,297 | $24,127 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,590/sq mi | 2,357/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $152,600 | $164,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $826 | $852 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 61.6% | 59.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 4.2% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -6.8% | -7.5% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.7% | 10.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.4% | 12.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 83°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 18°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 34.6" | 39.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 36 mi | 24 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 19.0 min | 24.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.1 | 36.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 7 | 14 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 17.66 | 17.67 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 23.2% | 25.8% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 38.3% | 44.8% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 67.2% | 54.7% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Sturgis
Elevated or high exposure: hail.
Ionia
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind, cold wave.
Full profiles: Sturgis, MI · Ionia, MI · How this is calculated: methodology