The Town FilesWise, Michigan
Township in Isabella County · population 1,355 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $138,200
- Household income
- $68,125
- Jan low / Jul high
- 16° / 84°
- Snow a year
- 49 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 11
- Median age
- 41.6
Wise is a township of 1,355 people in Isabella County, Michigan. The median home is worth $138,200, below the typical Michigan town ($193,900). It ranks easier by car than 98% of Michigan towns, more vibrant than 76% of Michigan towns, better for young professionals than 72% of Michigan towns.
How Wise 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 Wise is worth $138,200, below the typical Michigan town ($193,900). Homes cost about 2.0 times the median household income of $68,125, which is more affordable than 94% of Michigan towns. Median rent is $775 a month. 92.3% of households own their home.
| Housing | Wise | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $138,200 | $193,900 |
| Median rent | $775 | $955 |
| Median household income | $68,125 | $69,792 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.0× | 2.8× |
| Homeownership | 92.3% | 86.8% |
| Median year built | 1976 | 1975 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 18.6% | — |
Who lives in Wise
| People | Wise | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.6 | 43.7 |
| Age 65 and over | 12.7% | 20.7% |
| Under 18 | 19.7% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 21.5% |
| Below the poverty line | 8.4% | 10.4% |
| Veterans | 7.3% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 2.2% | — |
| Work from home | 7.5% | 9.1% |
| Average commute | 24.6 min | 25.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 78.6% | 88.8% |
Weather in Wise
July highs average 83.7°F and January lows 15.9°F. About 35.5 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 48.5 inches of snow (typical Michigan town: 52.1 in). Expect about 13 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 146 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
11 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Wise since 1950, compared with 10 for the typical Michigan town. 1 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an F2, struck on October 7, 1965 about 3.8 miles from the town center. The most recent was on June 26, 2021.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 10 times; the largest was 2.00 inches on March 12, 2012.
Severe weather in Isabella County since 1996
Isabella County has been included in 11 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 |
| August 2, 2017 | Severe Storm | DR-4326: Severe Storms And Flooding |
| September 7, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3225: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 10, 2001 | Snowstorm | EM-3160: Snow |
Jobs and pay in Isabella County
Isabella County had 26,640 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $50,992 a year. Unemployment was 4.5% in 2023; in Wise itself the ACS puts it at 4%.
Towns near Wise
- Coleman, MI4.6 mi · 1,262 people · home $103,500
- Sheridan, MI5.1 mi · 1,548 people · home $202,100
- Clare, MI5.5 mi · 3,254 people · home $134,600
- Denver, MI6.0 mi · 1,199 people · home $151,600
- Vernon, MI6.5 mi · 1,300 people · home $204,200
- Beaverton, MI7.3 mi · 1,863 people · home $155,700
- Grant, MI8.4 mi · 3,360 people · home $155,700
- Isabella, MI9.0 mi · 2,096 people · home $162,500
Wise questions
Is Wise, Michigan a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Wise scores better for retirees than 2% of Michigan towns and quieter than 27%. 12.7% of residents are 65 or older (median age 41.6).
How much does a house cost in Wise?
The median owner-occupied home in Wise is valued at $138,200 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $68,125, so homes cost about 2.0 times income. Median rent is $775 a month.
What is the weather like in Wise?
July highs average 83.7°F and January lows 15.9°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 35.5 inches of precipitation a year and 48.5 inches of snow.
Does Wise get tornadoes?
11 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Wise since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was a F2 on October 7, 1965. 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)