The Town FilesHarrison, Michigan
City in Clare County · population 2,150 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $135,100
- Household income
- $39,430
- Jan low / Jul high
- 13° / 82°
- Snow a year
- 60 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 6
- Median age
- 47.2
Harrison is a city of 2,150 people in Clare County, Michigan. The median home is worth $135,100, below the typical Michigan town ($193,900). It ranks better for first-time buyers than 79% of Michigan towns, more vibrant than 74% of Michigan towns.
How Harrison ranks
Percentile among Michigan towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Michigan towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Harrison is worth $135,100, below the typical Michigan town ($193,900). Homes cost about 3.4 times the median household income of $39,430, which is more affordable than 22% of Michigan towns. Median rent is $620 a month. 64.2% of households own their home.
| Housing | Harrison | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $135,100 | $193,900 |
| Median rent | $620 | $955 |
| Median household income | $39,430 | $69,792 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.4× | 2.8× |
| Homeownership | 64.2% | 86.8% |
| Median year built | 1968 | 1975 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 25.6% | — |
Who lives in Harrison
| People | Harrison | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.2 | 43.7 |
| Age 65 and over | 28.9% | 20.7% |
| Under 18 | 19.3% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.4% | 21.5% |
| Below the poverty line | 25.5% | 10.4% |
| Veterans | 14.0% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 0.4% | — |
| Work from home | 8.9% | 9.1% |
| Average commute | 27.4 min | 25.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 73.4% | 88.8% |
Weather in Harrison
July highs average 82.0°F and January lows 12.7°F. About 34.0 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 60.4 inches of snow (typical Michigan town: 52.1 in). Expect about 8 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 165 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
6 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Harrison since 1950, compared with 10 for the typical Michigan town. The strongest, an EF1, struck on July 5, 2024 about 3.1 miles from the town center. The most recent was on July 5, 2024.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 15 times; the largest was 1.75 inches on July 13, 2003.
Severe weather in Clare County since 1996
Clare County has been included in 9 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| March 27, 2020 | Biological | DR-4494: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3455: Covid-19 |
| September 7, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3225: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 10, 2001 | Snowstorm | EM-3160: Snow |
| September 18, 1986 | Flood | DR-774: Severe Storms & Flooding |
Jobs and pay in Clare County
Clare County had 7,261 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $47,949 a year. Unemployment was 6.3% in 2023; in Harrison itself the ACS puts it at 0.8%.
Public schools in Harrison
4 public schools with 1,251 students, about 17.4 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert M Larson Elementary School | K-5 | 598 | 17.1 |
| Harrison Community High School | 9-12 | 334 | 18.6 |
| Harrison Middle School | 6-8 | 282 | 17.6 |
| Harrison Alternative Education | 8-11 | 37 | 12.3 |
Towns near Harrison
- Hayes, MI2.9 mi · 4,642 people · home $93,700
- Greenwood, MI4.5 mi · 1,108 people · home $181,700
- Hatton, MI5.0 mi · 893 people · home $147,800
- Hamilton, MI6.3 mi · 1,785 people · home $110,500
- Frost, MI6.5 mi · 1,038 people · home $148,100
- Lincoln, MI6.8 mi · 1,805 people · home $143,600
- Arthur, MI8.0 mi · 676 people · home $234,600
- Grant, MI10.4 mi · 3,360 people · home $155,700
Harrison questions
Is Harrison, Michigan a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Harrison scores better for retirees than 26% of Michigan towns and quieter than 19%. 28.9% of residents are 65 or older (median age 47.2).
How much does a house cost in Harrison?
The median owner-occupied home in Harrison is valued at $135,100 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $39,430, so homes cost about 3.4 times income. Median rent is $620 a month.
What is the weather like in Harrison?
July highs average 82.0°F and January lows 12.7°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 34.0 inches of precipitation a year and 60.4 inches of snow.
Does Harrison get tornadoes?
6 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Harrison since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF1 on July 5, 2024. The typical Michigan town has had 10.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)