The Town FilesNewkirk, Michigan
Township in Lake County · population 655 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $110,600
- Household income
- $56,268
- Jan low / Jul high
- 12° / 81°
- Snow a year
- 107 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 1
- Median age
- 42.9
Newkirk is a township of 655 people in Lake County, Michigan. The median home is worth $110,600, below the typical Michigan town ($193,900). It ranks quieter than 98% of Michigan towns, better transit than 85% of Michigan towns, better for first-time buyers than 80% of Michigan towns.
How Newkirk 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 Newkirk is worth $110,600, below the typical Michigan town ($193,900). Homes cost about 2.0 times the median household income of $56,268, which is more affordable than 94% of Michigan towns. Median rent is $887 a month. 68.0% of households own their home.
| Housing | Newkirk | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $110,600 | $193,900 |
| Median rent | $887 | $955 |
| Median household income | $56,268 | $69,792 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.0× | 2.8× |
| Homeownership | 68.0% | 86.8% |
| Median year built | 1974 | 1975 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 51.2% | — |
Who lives in Newkirk
| People | Newkirk | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.9 | 43.7 |
| Age 65 and over | 23.8% | 20.7% |
| Under 18 | 17.8% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 21.5% |
| Below the poverty line | 12.0% | 10.4% |
| Veterans | 11.5% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 0.0% | — |
| Work from home | 9.5% | 9.1% |
| Average commute | 40.6 min | 25.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 83.9% | 88.8% |
Weather in Newkirk
July highs average 80.6°F and January lows 12.2°F. About 38.0 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 106.9 inches of snow (typical Michigan town: 52.1 in). Expect about 8 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 171 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
1 tornado has passed within 10 miles of Newkirk since 1950, compared with 10 for the typical Michigan town. The strongest, an F1, struck on June 8, 1985 about 1.9 miles from the town center. The most recent was on June 8, 1985.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 7 times; the largest was 1.75 inches on August 9, 2000.
Severe weather in Lake County since 1996
Lake County has been included in 9 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2026 | Flood | DR-4925: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
| March 27, 2020 | Biological | DR-4494: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3455: Covid-19 |
| July 14, 2008 | Severe Storm | DR-1777: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
| September 7, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3225: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Jobs and pay in Lake County
Lake County had 1,721 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $39,827 a year. Unemployment was 7% in 2023; in Newkirk itself the ACS puts it at 6.4%.
Towns near Newkirk
- Ellsworth, MI7.8 mi · 736 people · home $131,300
- Webber, MI11.0 mi · 2,384 people · home $108,500
- Elk, MI11.6 mi · 940 people · home $181,900
- Burdell, MI12.3 mi · 1,410 people · home $187,500
- Norman, MI12.5 mi · 1,567 people · home $156,900
- Pinora, MI12.5 mi · 757 people · home $123,900
- Le Roy, MI13.0 mi · 1,246 people · home $187,700
- Cherry Grove, MI13.6 mi · 2,421 people · home $271,300
Newkirk questions
Is Newkirk, Michigan a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Newkirk scores better for retirees than 37% of Michigan towns and quieter than 98%. 23.8% of residents are 65 or older (median age 42.9).
How much does a house cost in Newkirk?
The median owner-occupied home in Newkirk is valued at $110,600 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $56,268, so homes cost about 2.0 times income. Median rent is $887 a month.
What is the weather like in Newkirk?
July highs average 80.6°F and January lows 12.2°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 38.0 inches of precipitation a year and 106.9 inches of snow.
Does Newkirk get tornadoes?
1 tornado has passed within 10 miles of Newkirk since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was a F1 on June 8, 1985. 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)