The Town FilesNorth Branch, Michigan
Village in Lapeer County · population 1,096 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $152,000
- Household income
- $56,731
- Jan low / Jul high
- 15° / 82°
- Snow a year
- 41 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 10
- Median age
- 34.5
North Branch is a village of 1,096 people in Lapeer County, Michigan. The median home is worth $152,000, below the typical Michigan town ($193,900). It ranks easier by car than 94% of Michigan towns, better for families than 79% of Michigan towns.
How North Branch 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 North Branch is worth $152,000, below the typical Michigan town ($193,900). Homes cost about 2.7 times the median household income of $56,731, which is more affordable than 61% of Michigan towns. Median rent is $735 a month. 71.6% of households own their home.
| Housing | North Branch | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $152,000 | $193,900 |
| Median rent | $735 | $955 |
| Median household income | $56,731 | $69,792 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.7× | 2.8× |
| Homeownership | 71.6% | 86.8% |
| Median year built | 1956 | 1975 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 2.5% | — |
Who lives in North Branch
| People | North Branch | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.5 | 43.7 |
| Age 65 and over | 16.9% | 20.7% |
| Under 18 | 25.4% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.0% | 21.5% |
| Below the poverty line | 15.3% | 10.4% |
| Veterans | 7.2% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 0.3% | — |
| Work from home | 6.0% | 9.1% |
| Average commute | 33.0 min | 25.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 85.8% | 88.8% |
Weather in North Branch
July highs average 82.4°F and January lows 15.1°F. About 31.9 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 40.7 inches of snow (typical Michigan town: 52.1 in). Expect about 9 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 148 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
10 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of North Branch since 1950, compared with 10 for the typical Michigan town. 2 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an F4, struck on June 8, 1953 about 5.5 miles from the town center. The most recent was on June 27, 2010.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 13 times; the largest was 2.50 inches on September 2, 1984.
Severe weather in Lapeer County since 1996
Lapeer County has been included in 11 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, other, 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 |
| September 23, 2003 | Other | EM-3189: Power Outage |
| January 10, 2001 | Snowstorm | EM-3160: Snow |
Jobs and pay in Lapeer County
Lapeer County had 21,986 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $51,778 a year. Unemployment was 4.1% in 2023; in North Branch itself the ACS puts it at 7.5%.
Public schools in North Branch
4 public schools with 2,413 students, about 19.8 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Branch Elementary School | PK-4 | 944 | 17.8 |
| Ruth Fox Middle School | 5-8 | 732 | 19.3 |
| North Branch High School | 9-12 | 692 | 23.1 |
| Quest High School | 9-12 | 45 | 45.0 |
Towns near North Branch
- North Branch, MI2.3 mi · 3,571 people · home $227,900
- Burlington, MI3.6 mi · 1,414 people · home $174,100
- Deerfield, MI5.5 mi · 5,764 people · home $184,600
- Rich, MI6.2 mi · 1,500 people · home $279,200
- Barnes Lake, MI6.4 mi · 768 people · home $225,900
- Burnside, MI6.5 mi · 1,904 people · home $216,100
- Arcadia, MI8.5 mi · 3,148 people · home $235,400
- Fostoria, MI8.7 mi · 664 people · home $123,300
North Branch questions
Is North Branch, Michigan a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, North Branch scores better for retirees than 68% of Michigan towns and quieter than 67%. 16.9% of residents are 65 or older (median age 34.5).
How much does a house cost in North Branch?
The median owner-occupied home in North Branch is valued at $152,000 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $56,731, so homes cost about 2.7 times income. Median rent is $735 a month.
What is the weather like in North Branch?
July highs average 82.4°F and January lows 15.1°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 31.9 inches of precipitation a year and 40.7 inches of snow.
Does North Branch get tornadoes?
10 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of North Branch since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was a F4 on June 8, 1953. 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)