Custer, Michigan

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Population in 2021: 297 (0% urban, 100% rural).
Population change since 2000: -6.6%
 
Males: 128  (43.2%)
Females: 169  (56.8%)
Median resident age:

35.6 years
Michigan median age:

40.2 years

Zip codes: 49405.

Estimated median household income in 2021: $48,978 (it was $29,444 in 2000)
Custer:

$48,978
MI:

$63,498

Estimated per capita income in 2021: $23,146 (it was $15,436 in 2000)

Custer village income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2021: $118,002 (it was $66,300 in 2000)
Custer:

$118,002
MI:

$199,100

Mean prices in 2021: all housing units: $113,392; detached houses: $114,255; mobile homes: $92,254

Median gross rent in 2021: $665.

March 2022 cost of living index in Custer: 80.4 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2021: 9.2%

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According to our research of Michigan and other state lists, there were 5 registered sex offenders living in Custer, Michigan as of March 28, 2024.
The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Custer is 54 to 1.


Recent articles from our blog. Our writers, many of them Ph.D. graduates or candidates, create easy-to-read articles on a wide variety of topics.
Custer, MI forum
Recent posts about Custer, Michigan on our local forum with over 2,400,000 registered users. Custer is mentioned 80 times on our forum:
Coolest Small Towns near Detroit  (32 replies)
Moving to Monroe - Good neighborhood - bad neighborhood  (19 replies)
Places to visit in Detroit  (8 replies)
What is the general attitude towards New Englanders?  (53 replies)
Where to live in about a year and a half.  (11 replies)
Where Are You Seeing Eagles?  (11 replies)

Latest news from Custer, MI collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: Irish (24.4%), American (15.1%), German (10.5%), English (9.3%), Lithuanian (5.8%), Polish (5.8%).

Current Local Time: EST time zone

Elevation: 698 feet

Land area: 0.99 square miles.

Population density: 300 people per square mile   (very low).

Custer, Michigan map

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2021: $1,342 (1.1%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2021: $1,378 (1.3%)

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Grand Rapids, MI (74.0 miles , pop. 197,800).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Milwaukee, WI (107.0 miles , pop. 596,974).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Chicago, IL (163.6 miles , pop. 2,896,016).

Nearest cities:

Scottville, MI (1.8 miles ),
Fountain, MI (2.6 miles),
Free Soil, MI (3.3 miles),
Ludington, MI (3.3 miles ),
Pentwater, MI (4.0 miles ),
Walkerville, MI (4.1 miles ),
Stronach, MI (4.3 miles),
Filer City, MI (4.3 miles)

Latitude: 43.95 N, Longitude: 86.22 W

Area code commonly used in this area: 231

Distribution of median household income in Custer, MI in 2021
Distribution of house value in Custer, MI in 2021
Custer satellite photo by USGS
Unemployment in November 2020:
Here:

6.8%
Michigan:

4.1%
Most common industries in Custer, MI (%)
Both Males Females
Most common industries in 2000
  • Construction (13.0%)
  • Metal & metal products (8.4%)
  • Educational services (7.6%)
  • Accommodation & food services (6.9%)
  • Administrative & support & waste management services (6.1%)
  • Arts, entertainment, recreation (6.1%)
  • Food & beverage stores (5.3%)
Most common industries for males in 2000
  • Construction (19.1%)
  • Metal & metal products (10.3%)
  • Educational services (8.8%)
  • Arts, entertainment, recreation (8.8%)
  • Accommodation & food services (8.8%)
  • Administrative & support & waste management services (7.4%)
  • Food (5.9%)
Most common industries for females in 2000
  • Department & other general merchandise stores (9.5%)
  • Personal & laundry services (9.5%)
  • Food & beverage stores (7.9%)
  • Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, similar organizations (7.9%)
  • Construction (6.3%)
  • Metal & metal products (6.3%)
  • Finance & insurance (6.3%)
Most common occupations in Custer, MI (%)
Both Males Females
Most common occupations in 2000
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (6.9%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (6.1%)
  • Cooks and food preparation workers (6.1%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (6.1%)
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (5.3%)
  • Retail sales workers, except cashiers (4.6%)
  • Cashiers (4.6%)
Most common occupations for males in 2000
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (8.8%)
  • Carpenters (7.4%)
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (7.4%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (7.4%)
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (5.9%)
  • Cooks and food preparation workers (5.9%)
  • Construction laborers (5.9%)
Most common occupations for females in 2000
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (11.1%)
  • Personal appearance workers (9.5%)
  • Cashiers (9.5%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (9.5%)
  • Cooks and food preparation workers (6.3%)
  • Retail sales workers, except cashiers (6.3%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (4.8%)

Average climate in Custer, Michigan

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Custer, Michigan average temperatures Custer, Michigan average precipitation Custer, Michigan humidity Custer, Michigan wind speed Custer, Michigan snowfall Custer, Michigan sunshine Custer, Michigan clear and cloudy days
Air pollution and air quality trends
(lower is better)
AQI Ozone
Air Quality Index

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2018 was 58.6. This is better than average.

City:

58.6
U.S.:

74.2
Ozone Level

Ozone [ppb] level in 2018 was 30.2. This is about average. Closest monitor was 24.7 miles away from the city center.

City:

30.2
U.S.:

33.3

Tornado activity:

Custer-area historical tornado activity is significantly below Michigan state average. It is 60% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 4/3/1956, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 29.0 miles away from the Custer village center killed 2 people and injured 24 people and caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages.

On 4/3/1956, a category F5 (max. wind speeds 261-318 mph) tornado 63.7 miles away from the village center killed 18 people and injured 340 people and caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity:

Custer-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Michigan state average. It is 37% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 5/2/2015 at 16:23:07, a magnitude 4.2 (4.2 MW, Depth: 2.8 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 125.1 miles away from Custer center
On 1/31/1986 at 16:46:43, a magnitude 5.0 (5.0 MB, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 303.8 miles away from Custer center
On 9/25/1998 at 19:52:52, a magnitude 5.2 (4.8 MB, 4.3 MS, 5.2 LG, 4.5 MW, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 341.2 miles away from the city center
On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW) earthquake occurred 390.0 miles away from the city center
On 7/12/1986 at 08:19:37, a magnitude 4.5 (4.5 MB) earthquake occurred 254.3 miles away from Custer center
On 6/10/1987 at 23:48:54, a magnitude 5.1 (4.9 MB, 4.4 MS, 4.6 MS, 5.1 LG) earthquake occurred 365.1 miles away from Custer center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Mason County (8) is smaller than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 4
Emergencies Declared: 3

Causes of natural disasters: Storms: 4, Floods: 3, Blizzard: 1, Drought: 1, Hurricane: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Tornado: 1, Wind: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Custer topographic map

Hospitals and medical centers near Custer:

  • HOSPICE OF MICHIGAN (Hospital, about 11 miles away; LUDINGTON, MI)
  • DAVITA - LUDINGTON (Dialysis Facility, about 11 miles away; LUDINGTON, MI)
  • MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER OF WEST MICHIGAN Acute Care Hospitals (about 11 miles away; LUDINGTON, MI)
  • BAYWOOD NURSING HOME (Nursing Home, about 11 miles away; LUDINGTON, MI)
  • TENDERCARE OF LUDINGTON (Nursing Home, about 11 miles away; LUDINGTON, MI)
  • OAKVIEW MEDICAL CARE FACILITY (Nursing Home, about 11 miles away; LUDINGTON, MI)

Airports located in Custer:

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Custer:

  • Ferris State University (about 41 miles; Big Rapids, MI; Full-time enrollment: 11,238)
  • Muskegon Community College (about 49 miles; Muskegon, MI; FT enrollment: 3,310)
  • Baker College of Muskegon (about 49 miles; Muskegon, MI; FT enrollment: 3,293)
  • Northwestern Michigan College (about 65 miles; Traverse City, MI; FT enrollment: 3,276)
  • Grand Valley State University (about 71 miles; Allendale, MI; FT enrollment: 21,982)
  • Mid Michigan Community College (about 73 miles; Harrison, MI; FT enrollment: 3,653)
  • Grand Rapids Community College (about 74 miles; Grand Rapids, MI; FT enrollment: 11,296)

Public high school in Custer:

Public elementary/middle school in Custer:

See full list of schools located in Custer

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear village borders

Notable locations in Custer: Custer Station (A), Custer Fire Department (B). Display/hide their locations on the map

Church in Custer: Saint Mary's Church (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Mason County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Low Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Custer and their reported violations in the past:

WHISKEY CREEK RECREATIONS INC (Population served: 775, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • 5 routine major monitoring violations
  • 3 regular monitoring violations
PIONEER MARKET (Population served: 26, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • 4 routine major monitoring violations
  • 3 regular monitoring violations
VFW GOLD BAR POST 5096 (Population served: 25, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • 3 routine major monitoring violations
  • 2 regular monitoring violations
Average household size:
This village:

2.6 people
Michigan:

2.5 people

Percentage of family households:
This village:

65.5%
Whole state:

66.0%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This village:

11.8%
Whole state:

6.4%


No gay or lesbian households reported

7 people in nursing homes in 2000

For population 15 years and over in Custer:

Marital status in Custer, MI
  • Never married: 32.0%
  • Now married: 40.2%
  • Separated: 0.0%
  • Widowed: 5.2%
  • Divorced: 22.7%

For population 25 years and over in Custer:

  • High school or higher: 95.1%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 8.7%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 2.7%
  • Unemployed: 6.4%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 31.7 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2021
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2021
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

8.0
Michigan average:

10.8

Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Custer, MI (based on Mason County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Catholic4,3856
Evangelical Protestant4,22333
Mainline Protestant3,58111
Other5116
None16,005-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 8
This county:

2.78 / 10,000 pop.
Michigan:

2.34 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 2
Mason County:

0.70 / 10,000 pop.
Michigan:

0.18 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 17
Mason County:

5.91 / 10,000 pop.
Michigan:

2.99 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 32
Mason County:

11.13 / 10,000 pop.
Michigan:

6.80 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Mason County:

9.3%
State:

9.7%
Adult obesity rate:
This county:

29.1%
Michigan:

29.7%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Mason County:

12.2%
Michigan:

13.4%

Health and Nutrition:

Healthy diet rate:
Custer:

48.6%
State:

50.3%

Average overall health of teeth and gums:
Custer:

45.9%
Michigan:

47.9%

Average BMI:
This city:

29.8
State:

28.7

People feeling badly about themselves:
Custer:

23.5%
State:

20.6%

People not drinking alcohol at all:
Custer:

19.0%
Michigan:

10.4%

Average hours sleeping at night:
Custer:

6.8
Michigan:

6.8

Overweight people:
This city:

41.3%
State:

34.1%

General health condition:
This city:

52.9%
Michigan:

57.0%

Average condition of hearing:
Custer:

76.9%
Michigan:

79.6%

More about Health and Nutrition of Custer, MI Residents
Local government employment and payroll (March 2017)
Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll
Other Government Administration 0$0 8$473
Financial Administration 0$0 2$1,421
Totals for Government 0$0 10$1,895

Custer government finances - Expenditure in 2017 (per resident):

  • Current Operations - Regular Highways: $81,000 ($272.73)
    General - Other: $27,000 ($90.91)
    Central Staff Services: $11,000 ($37.04)
    General Public Buildings: $4,000 ($13.47)
    Local Fire Protection: $4,000 ($13.47)
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $14,000 ($47.14)

Custer government finances - Revenue in 2017 (per resident):

  • Charges - Sewerage: $56,000 ($188.55)
  • Miscellaneous - Interest Earnings: $2,000 ($6.73)
    Rents: $1,000 ($3.37)
    General Revenue - Other: $1,000 ($3.37)
  • State Intergovernmental - Highways: $36,000 ($121.21)
    General Local Government Support: $23,000 ($77.44)
    Other: $4,000 ($13.47)
  • Tax - Property: $15,000 ($50.51)

Custer government finances - Cash and Securities in 2017 (per resident):

  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $581,000 ($1956.23)

Strongest AM radio stations in Custer:

  • WTCM (580 AM; 35 kW; TRAVERSE CITY, MI; Owner: WTCM RADIO, INC.)
  • WLDR (1210 AM; daytime; 50 kW; KINGSLEY, MI; Owner: FORT BEND BROADCASTING COMPANY)
  • WKLA (1450 AM; 1 kW; LUDINGTON, MI; Owner: LAKE MICHIGAN BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • WTMJ (620 AM; 50 kW; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: JOURNAL BROADCAST CORPORATION)
  • WOAP (1080 AM; 50 kW; OWOSSO, MI)
  • WCCW (1310 AM; 15 kW; TRAVERSE CITY, MI; Owner: WCCW RADIO, INC.)
  • WNAM (1280 AM; 50 kW; NEENAH-MENASHA, WI; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)
  • WISN (1130 AM; 50 kW; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
  • WGN (720 AM; 50 kW; CHICAGO, IL; Owner: WGN CONTINENTAL BROADCASTING CO.)
  • WSCR (670 AM; 50 kW; CHICAGO, IL; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)
  • WOOD (1300 AM; 20 kW; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WBBM (780 AM; 50 kW; CHICAGO, IL; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)
  • WBRN (1460 AM; 5 kW; BIG RAPIDS, MI; Owner: RH COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)

Strongest FM radio stations in Custer:

  • WCXT (105.3 FM; HART, MI; Owner: WATERS BROADCASTING CORPORATION)
  • WKLA-FM (106.3 FM; LUDINGTON, MI; Owner: LAKE MICHIGAN BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • WKZC (94.9 FM; SCOTTVILLE, MI; Owner: LAKE MICHIGAN BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • WVXM (97.7 FM; MANISTEE, MI; Owner: XAVIER UNIVERSITY)
  • WIAA (88.7 FM; INTERLOCHEN, MI; Owner: INTERLOCHEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS)
  • WMOM (102.7 FM; PENTWATER, MI; Owner: BAY VIEW BROADCASTING, INC)
  • WWKR (94.1 FM; PENTWATER, MI; Owner: SYNERGY MEDIA, INC.)
  • WOUF (92.1 FM; BEULAH, MI; Owner: FORT BEND BROADCASTING CO.)
  • WBLV (90.3 FM; TWIN LAKE, MI; Owner: BLUE LAKE FINE ARTS CAMP, INC.)
  • WTCM-FM (103.5 FM; TRAVERSE CITY, MI; Owner: WTCM RADIO, INC.)
  • WOLW (91.1 FM; CADILLAC, MI; Owner: NORTHERN CHRISTIAN RADIO, INC.)
  • W201CF (88.1 FM; BALDWIN, MI; Owner: CALVARY CHAPEL OF TWIN FALLS, INC.)
  • WMTE-FM (101.5 FM; MANISTEE, MI; Owner: LAKE MICHIGAN BROADCASTING, INC.)

TV broadcast stations around Custer:

  • W34BZ (Channel 34; LUDINGTON, MI; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)
  • W48BY (Channel 48; LUDINGTON, MI; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)
  • W53CC (Channel 53; LUDINGTON, MI; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)
  • WCMW (Channel 21; MANISTEE, MI; Owner: CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY)
  • WPBN-TV (Channel 7; TRAVERSE CITY, MI; Owner: WPBN/WTOM LICENSE SUBSIDIARY, INC.)
  • WWTV (Channel 9; CADILLAC, MI; Owner: HERITAGE B/CING COMPANY OF MICHIGAN)
  • W42CB (Channel 42; HESPERIA, MI; Owner: TRIBUNE TELEVISION HOLDINGS, INC.)

Custer fatal accident list:

Oct 26, 1978 04:20 PM, Vehicles: 3, Persons: 4, Fatalities: 2
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 7Number of bridges
  • 52ft / 16.4mTotal length
  • $240,000Total costs
  • 7,181Total average daily traffic
  • 640Total average daily truck traffic
  • 9,355Total future (year 2015) average daily traffic

FCC Registered Antenna Towers:

56 (See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers in Custer)

FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers:

2
  • 1318 E Us 10 (Lat: 43.948056 Lon: -86.135917), Call Sign: KTL314, Licensee ID: L00032567,
    Assigned Frequencies: 157.500 MHz, Grant Date: 01/22/1998, Expiration Date: 04/06/2003, Cancellation Date: 07/06/2003, Registrant: Robert L Anderson, 6079 E Us 10, Custer, MI 49405, Phone: (616) 757-3847
  • RTK Base, 218 N. Schoenherr Road (Lat: 43.958639 Lon: -86.158861), Type: Silo, Structure height: 23.8 m, Overall height: 25.1 m, Call Sign: WRJY720,
    Assigned Frequencies: 461.400 MHz, Grant Date: 11/20/2020, Expiration Date: 11/20/2030, Certifier: Robert Ohse, Registrant: Roe-Comm, Inc., 1400 Ramona Avenue, Portage, MI 49002, Phone: (269) 327-1045, Fax: (269) 327-8784, Email:

FCC Registered Microwave Towers:

1
  • MONROE, 2726 Grubber Road (Lat: 41.978889 Lon: -83.441667), Type: Tower, Structure height: 55.2 m, Overall height: 58.5 m, Call Sign: WQOX817,
    Assigned Frequencies: 11325.0 MHz, Grant Date: 02/29/2012, Expiration Date: 02/28/2022, Cancellation Date: 03/27/2012, Certifier: Pamelia Y Hoof, Registrant: Verizon Wireless, 1120 Sanctuary Pkwy, #150 Gasa5reg, Alpharetta, GA 30009-7630, Phone: (770) 797-1070, Fax: (770) 797-1036, Email:

FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses:

12 (See the full list of FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses in Custer)

2002 - 2018 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) incidents

    Fire incident distribution by year Based on the data from the years 2002 - 2018 the average number of fire incidents per year is 10. The highest number of fires - 19 took place in 2004, and the least - 3 in 2018. The data has a decreasing trend.
    Fire incident types in Custer, MI When looking into fire subcategories, the most incidents belonged to: Structure Fires (58.5%), and Outside Fires (28.7%).

    • Fire incident types reported to NFIRS in Custer, MI
    • 9658.5%Structure Fires
    • 4728.7%Outside Fires
    • 1710.4%Mobile Property/Vehicle Fires
    • 42.4%Other
See full National Fire Incident Reporting System statistics for Custer, MI
Most common first names in Custer, MI among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
John2076.1 years
Charles1176.8 years
William1079.7 years
George878.0 years
Robert876.5 years
Joseph772.3 years
Richard766.2 years
Earl679.3 years
Mary681.1 years
Carl577.0 years
Most common last names in Custer, MI among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Smith979.2 years
Morell878.8 years
Miller781.6 years
Sanders777.4 years
Johnson673.7 years
Anderson682.0 years
Mcclellan683.0 years
Connelly587.2 years
Baker579.0 years
Stickney576.6 years
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Custer, MI
  • 80.2%Utility gas
  • 9.9%Wood
  • 8.8%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 1.1%Electricity
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Custer, MI
  • 72.7%Utility gas
  • 22.7%Electricity
  • 4.5%Bottled, tank, or LP gas


Custer compared to Michigan state average:

  • Median house value below state average.
  • Unemployed percentage below state average.
  • Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.
  • House age above state average.
  • Institutionalized population percentage above state average.
  • Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher significantly below state average.
There are 2 pilots and 1 other airmen in this city.
Cost of Living Calculator
Top Patent Applicants
Top Patent Applicants
  • Richard A. Namors (2)
  • Scott Mast (1)

Total of 3 patent applications in 2008-2024.