Otter Lake: Demographics & People
Otter Lake's population stands at 379 people, in 179 households. Population shrank 2.1% from 387 (2022) to 379 (2024). Median age 53.9 years. (9.2y older than Lapeer County; 16.2y older than Michigan). Children under 18 are 9% of the population. Population is 96% White (non-Hispanic) and 2% Asian. 48% of households are family-led. County is gaining 769 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 39% adult obesity, 16% smoke.
- 2.1 people per household (vs Michigan avg 2.4).
- 52% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Michigan 44%).
- 66 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Michigan 66).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 2.1% from 387 (2022) to 379 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~371 (extrapolated at -1.0%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 360.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 406,211 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -2.1% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 387 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 379 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | declining |
| Population | 379 people (vs Michigan 45,758) |
| Population Estimate | 360 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 53.9y is 15.0 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 9% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 53.9 years (vs Michigan 37.7y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 9.2% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 379 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 35 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 59.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 169.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 116 |
| Population under 18 | 35 |
| Median age | 53.9 years (vs Michigan 37.7y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 379 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| White residents | 377 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 1 |
| Asian residents | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Simpson Index | 1.0% |
| Diversity Index · Interpretation | less diverse |
| Asian population | 1.6% (vs Michigan 1.7%) |
| Black population | 0.3% (vs Michigan 7.5%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 95.5% (vs Michigan 66.5%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 347 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 29 |
| Share born in this state | 91.6% |
| Share born in another state | 8.4% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 7.7% |
| Naturalized citizens | 0.8% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 3 |
| From Africa | 3 |
Households & Family Composition
179 households. Averaging 2.1 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 48% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 93 families, 15% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 48 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 93 |
| Married couples with children | 14 |
| Single-parent households | 8 |
| Average household size | 2.06 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 4.8% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 7 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 2 |
| Family households | 86 households (vs Michigan 10,723) |
| Households that are families | 48.0% (vs Michigan 56.3%) |
| Total households | 179 households (vs Michigan 18,535) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 5.0% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 769 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 5.0% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 349,000 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 348,231 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 769 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 54 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 15.0% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 9 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | MI-09 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 26049 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 26 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 049 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Genesee |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 21.2% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 19.90 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 22.60 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 26049 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Genesee County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 19,301 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 26049 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Genesee County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 53.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 51.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 55.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 405,813 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 20 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 9.2% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 379, declining, retirement community, working-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 379 people (vs Michigan 45,758) |
| Town Summary · County | Genesee County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade