Is Kingsford Safe, Pros and cons of living in Kingsford

Kingsford, Michigan, is a small city located in Dickinson County in the Upper Peninsula. It offers a blend of small-town charm with access to natural beauty, making it an appealing place for those seeking a quieter lifestyle. The city is known for its friendly community and slower pace of life, contrasting with the hustle and bustle of larger metropolitan areas.

This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Kingsford, covering essential aspects for anyone considering a move to the area. We will delve into safety, cost of living, housing, employment, climate, education, and demographics to offer practical insights into life in Kingsford.

Is it Safe to Live in Kingsford?

Kingsford generally presents a safe environment for its residents. The overall crime rate in Kingsford is lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Violent crimes are also reported to be lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Your chance of being a victim of crime in Kingsford varies by neighborhood, with some areas being safer than others (as reported by OpenCrime). The cost of crime per resident in Kingsford is also less than both the national and Michigan state averages (as reported by OpenCrime).

Housing Costs and Availability

Median Home Price

The median home value in Kingsford is approximately $105,800 (as reported by Kurby AI). Another source indicates the median property value in Kingsford was $132,100 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). The median listing price in Kingsford is $165K (as reported by realtor.com®).

In February 2026, the median sale price of a home in Kingsford was $107K, a decrease of 15.1% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). The average home value in Kingsford is $146,083, showing a 4.4% increase over the past year (as reported by Zillow).

Rental Market

The median rent for all bedroom counts and property types in Kingsford is $955 as of May 2026 (as reported by Zumper). This figure is significantly lower than the national average. A one-bedroom apartment in Kingsford costs about $885 on average, while a two-bedroom apartment is priced at $955 (as reported by Zumper).

The homeownership rate in Kingsford is around 76% (as reported by Data USA), which is higher than the national average. Another source states the homeownership rate is 73.1% (as reported by Kurby AI).

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Kingsford is considered to be generally more affordable than the national average. Living costs in Kingsford are 2% higher than the U.S. national average, but 125% lower than Michigan’s state average (as reported by Salary.com). Housing costs are a significant factor in this affordability.

Housing costs in Kingsford are notably lower than the national average, with some sources indicating they are 37.7% lower (as reported by Salary.com). This makes homeownership and renting more accessible for residents compared to many other areas.

Job Market and Economy

Major Employers

The major employers in the Dickinson area, which includes Kingsford, span various sectors such as healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and education (as reported by Belong Dickinson). Key healthcare providers like Bellin Health, Marshfield Medical Center, and the Oscar G. Johnson VA are significant employers in the region (as reported by Belong Dickinson).

Other notable employers and industries in Kingsford include Retail Trade, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Manufacturing (as reported by Data USA). Companies like McDonald’s, FedEx, UPS, and The Home Depot also operate in the Kingsford area (as reported by Indeed.com).

Salary and Unemployment

The median wage in Kingsford is approximately $45.8K per year, with the 75th percentile earning $61.5K (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The average annual pay for a “20 Per Hour” job in Kingsford is $42,158 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income in Kingsford is reported as $61,108 per year (as reported by PlainCities).

The unemployment rate in Kingsford stands at 6.4% (as reported by Point2Homes). This rate is considered higher than the typical range of 4% to 5% for areas with strong job prospects.

Climate and Weather

Temperatures

Kingsford experiences distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Over the course of the year, temperatures typically range from 7°F to 80°F, rarely falling below -12°F or exceeding 89°F (as reported by Time and Date). The warm season lasts from late May to mid-September, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 80°F and a low of 57°F (as reported by Time and Date).

The cold season spans from late November to early March, with January being the coldest month, averaging a low of 8°F and a high of 24°F (as reported by Time and Date). The area experiences about 175 days below freezing on average annually (as reported by GLISA).

Precipitation

Precipitation in Kingsford is distributed throughout the year, with slight peaks in the summer months. The month with the most rain is June, averaging 3.3 inches (as reported by Time and Date). January receives the least amount of rain, with an average of 0.2 inches (as reported by Time and Date).

Kingsford can receive over 50 inches of snowfall in an average year (as reported by GLISA). A wet day, defined as one with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation, occurs more frequently during the period from April to October (as reported by Time and Date).

Education and Schools

School Ratings

Kingsford High School ranks within the top 30% of all public schools in Michigan, with a graduation rate of 95% or higher (as reported by Niche). Kingsford Middle School is ranked within the top 50% of all public schools in Michigan (as reported by Niche). Woodland Elementary School and Kingsford High School are noted as top-performing schools in the area (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Kingsford High School has a student-teacher ratio of 22:1, which is higher than the Michigan state level (as reported by Niche). Kingsford Middle School also has a higher student-teacher ratio than the state average, at 19:1 (as reported by Niche).

Demographics

Population and Age

Kingsford is home to approximately 5,124 residents, showing a slight decrease from the 2020 census figures (as reported by Data USA). The median age in Kingsford is around 40.7 years (as reported by Point2Homes). The population is distributed across various age groups, with significant portions in the 25-44 and 45-64 brackets.

The gender distribution in Kingsford is approximately 47% male and 53% female (as reported by Point2Homes). The population is largely composed of U.S. citizens, with a high percentage of residents being native-born (as reported by Point2Homes).

Race and Ethnicity

The racial makeup of Kingsford is predominantly White, with 92.2% of the population identifying as such (as reported by Census Dots). This share is considerably higher than the state average for Michigan.

Other racial groups are represented in smaller percentages, including Multiracial (5.3%), Native American/Other (1.2%), Asian (0.7%), Hispanic (0.5%), and Black (0.1%) (as reported by Census Dots). The city is considered less diverse than Michigan overall.