Is Menominee Safe, Pros and cons of living in Menominee

Menominee, Michigan, situated on the shores of Green Bay, offers a blend of small-city charm and access to natural beauty. This city in the Upper Peninsula provides a distinct living experience, drawing individuals seeking a quieter pace of life. Understanding the various facets of Menominee is essential for anyone considering a move to this lakeside community.

The city’s location along the Menominee River and Green Bay presents opportunities for outdoor recreation and a connection to the Great Lakes. Its position also places it as part of the broader Marinette-Menominee metropolitan area, fostering a sense of regional connection across the state line into Wisconsin.

Is it Safe to Live in Menominee?

Menominee’s overall crime rate is reported to be 34% lower than the national average (according to AreaVibes). This figure encompasses both violent and property crimes, suggesting a generally safe environment for residents. The city experiences an average of 0.31 daily crime occurrences, with a smaller portion attributed to violent crimes.

While Menominee is considered safer than many U.S. cities, some areas experience higher crime rates than others. Residents often regard the northwest part of the city as the safest (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Your chance of being a victim of crime can vary significantly by neighborhood, with some areas having a higher incidence of incidents than others (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Violent Crime Rates

Violent crime in Menominee is reported to be 17% higher than the national average (according to AreaVibes). Specifically, there were 34 reported violent crimes, equating to 419 per 100,000 individuals, which is 16.6% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). The city has maintained a murder rate of 0 in its latest reported crime year (as reported by AreaVibes).

Property Crime Rates

Property crimes in Menominee are reported at a rate of 973 per 100,000 residents, which is 44.7% lower than the U.S. average (as reported by AreaVibes). However, NeighborhoodScout notes that Menominee has an above-average chance of becoming a victim of property crime compared to other communities of similar sizes across the nation. Property crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Cost of Living in Menominee

Menominee offers a cost of living that is notably lower than both the national and state averages. The city is approximately 19% less expensive than the national average and 14% less expensive than the average city in Michigan (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). This affordability extends to various aspects of daily life, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious individuals and families.

The median household income in Menominee was reported as $49,432 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). This figure is about 80% of the amount in the Marinette, WI-MI Micro Area ($61,417) and about two-thirds of the amount in Michigan overall ($72,875) (as reported by Data USA).

Housing Costs

Housing in Menominee is significantly more affordable than the national average. The median property value in Menominee was $104,400 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). This is considerably lower than the national median property value of $332,700 (as reported by Data USA).

The homeownership rate in Menominee is 69%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2% (as reported by Data USA). The median listing price for homes for sale in Menominee is $174.9K, indicating an accessible entry point for buyers (as reported by Home.LLC). In March 2026, the median sale price of a home was $125,000, down 12.2% from the previous year (as reported by Redfin).

Rental Costs

Rental costs in Menominee are also below the national average. The median rent in Menominee is $735 (as reported by Niche). This is substantially lower than the national median rent of $1,413 (as reported by Niche).

There are currently a limited number of rental listings available, suggesting a tight rental market that could influence rent expectations for renters and impact options (as reported by Home.LLC). The median monthly rent is reported as $610 (as reported by Livability.com).

Job Market and Economy

Menominee’s economy is supported by a variety of industries, with manufacturing, retail trade, and healthcare and social assistance being the most prominent sectors for its residents (as reported by Data USA). Employment in Menominee saw a slight decline of -0.885% from 2023 to 2024, with a total of 4,031 employed individuals (as reported by Data USA).

The average salary in Menominee is reported to be $61,685 annually (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). This figure is approximately 90% of the amount in the Marinette, WI-MI Micro Area ($35,389) (as reported by Data USA).

Major Employers

Key employers in the Menominee and Marinette region include Fincantieri Marinette Marine, a shipbuilding company, and Waupaca Foundry, a manufacturer of iron castings (as reported by Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce). Other significant employers include Tyco Fire Suppression (Johnson Controls), Kolbenschmidt Industries, Aurora Medical Center – Bay Area, Anchor Coupling, L E Jones, Walmart, and Kimberly-Clark (as reported by Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce).

The City of Menominee itself is also listed as a notable employer, with a mission to enhance the quality of life for residents through professional public works services (as reported by Zippia). Companies like Enstrom Helicopter and Advanced Blending Solutions are also recognized among the best companies to work for in Menominee (as reported by Zippia).

Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate in Menominee County was 4.6% in February (as reported by The Mining Gazette). This rate has shown a decrease from previous months and the prior year, indicating a stabilizing job market within the county (as reported by The Mining Gazette).

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5% in February, while the U.S. unemployment rate was 4.4% during the same period (as reported by The Mining Gazette). This suggests that Menominee County’s unemployment rate is slightly below the state average but higher than the national average.

Climate in Menominee

Menominee experiences a humid continental climate, characterized by significant seasonal temperature differences. Summers are warm to hot, often with humidity, while winters are cold, snowy, and windy (as reported by Köppen Climate Classification system). The temperature typically ranges from 11°F to 79°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below -7°F or exceeding 87°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The warm season lasts from late May to mid-September, with daily high temperatures generally above 68°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). July is the hottest month, with average highs around 78°F and lows of 60°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The cold season spans from late November to early March, with daily high temperatures typically below 36°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Temperatures

January is the coldest month, with average low temperatures around 12°F and highs of 26°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Conversely, July offers the warmest weather, with average highs reaching approximately 80°F and lows around 59°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The average annual temperature in Menominee is around 53°F high and 36°F low (as reported by Livability.com). Current weather conditions can vary, with a recent report showing a temperature of 52°F with a RealFeel® of 46° (as reported by AccuWeather).

Rainfall

Menominee experiences substantial seasonal variation in rainfall. The period from late February to early January is considered the rainy season, with a greater than 24% chance of a wet day (as reported by myPerfectWeather). June typically sees the most rainfall, averaging about 3.2 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The drier season occurs from mid-October to early April, with February having the fewest wet days, averaging around 3.7 days with precipitation (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The average annual rainfall is approximately 33 inches (as reported by Livability.com).

Education in Menominee

Menominee’s public school system serves a significant portion of the city’s student population. There are six public schools serving approximately 1,267 students, with 91% of K-12 students attending public education (as reported by Niche). The school district faces challenges, with average proficiency scores in math and reading below the state averages (as reported by Niche).

Menominee High School ranks within the top 50% of Michigan high schools based on combined test scores, though math and science proficiency are in the bottom 50% (as reported by Public School Review). The student-teacher ratio at Menominee High School is 15:1, which is lower than the state average (as reported by Public School Review).

School Ratings

Public schools in Menominee have an average ranking of 4 out of 10, placing them in the bottom 50% of Michigan public schools (as reported by Niche). Schools in the district show lower math proficiency at 30% and reading proficiency at 41%, compared to state averages of 35% and 46%, respectively (as reported by Niche).

Blesch Intermediate School consistently ranks in the bottom half of Michigan elementary schools, with proficiency rates significantly below state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Additionally, Menominee High School has a graduation rate between 85-89%, placing it in the top 50% in Michigan (as reported by Public School Review).

Demographics of Menominee

Menominee has a population of approximately 8,326 residents (as reported by Data USA). The city’s population has seen a slight decline, decreasing by 4.17% since the 2020 census, which recorded a population of 8,466 (as reported by World Population Review).

The median age in Menominee is 47.2 years, with males having a median age of 43.9 years and females at 47.8 years (as reported by World Population Review). The city is predominantly White, with 93.67% of the population identifying as such (as reported by World Population Review).

Population and Diversity

As of 2024, 98.9% of Menominee residents are U.S. citizens, a figure higher than the national average of 93.2% (as reported by Data USA). The percentage of foreign-born residents is 1.69% (as reported by Data USA).

The population is characterized by a conservative tendency, with many retirees choosing to live in Menominee (as reported by Niche). There is a perception among some residents that the town lacks diversity in both population and community (as reported by Niche).

Household Income and Poverty

The median household income in Menominee declined slightly to $49,432 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). A significant portion of the population, 16.4%, lives below the poverty line, which is higher than the national average of 12.5% (as reported by Data USA).

The largest demographic groups living in poverty are females aged 45-54, followed by males aged 55-64 (as reported by Data USA). White individuals constitute the most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Menominee (as reported by Data USA).