48637 vs 48609 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 48637, Orange = ZIP 48609.
Quick verdict: ZIP 48637 is more affordable rent, more diverse. ZIP 48609 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 48637
Merrill village, MI
View full profile →- Population3,068
- Median Income$63,900
- Median Home Value$140k
- Median Rent$533
- Median Age45.8 yrs
- Poverty Rate14.9%
ZIP 48609
Shields CDP, MI
View full profile →- Population12,206
- Median Income$78,800
- Median Home Value$166k
- Median Rent$711
- Median Age49.2 yrs
- Poverty Rate12.3%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
3,06812,206
Median Income
$63,900$78,800
Median Home Value
$140k$166k
Median Rent
$533$711
Median Age
45.8 yrs49.2 yrs
Poverty Rate
14.9%12.3%
Demographics
ZIP 48637
Merrill village, MI
View full profile →- White %88.7%
- Black %0.0%
- Asian %0.1%
- Hispanic %10.9%
- Age 0–17 %21.5%
- Age 18–64 %53.7%
- Age 65+ %24.8%
- Bachelor's+ %15.9%
- Diversity Index20/100
ZIP 48609
Shields CDP, MI
View full profile →- White %93.6%
- Black %0.9%
- Asian %0.9%
- Hispanic %4.5%
- Age 0–17 %17.9%
- Age 18–64 %54.1%
- Age 65+ %28.0%
- Bachelor's+ %26.1%
- Diversity Index12/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
88.7%93.6%
Black %
0.0%0.9%
Asian %
0.1%0.9%
Hispanic %
10.9%4.5%
Age 0–17 %
21.5%17.9%
Age 18–64 %
53.7%54.1%
Age 65+ %
24.8%28.0%
Bachelor's+ %
15.9%26.1%
Diversity Index
20/10012/100
Economy
ZIP 48637
Merrill village, MI
View full profile →- Median Income$63,900
- Unemployment %10.6%
- IRS Net Migration+120
- Work From Home %4.5%
ZIP 48609
Shields CDP, MI
View full profile →- Median Income$78,800
- Unemployment %5.5%
- IRS Net Migration+478
- Work From Home %8.6%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$63,900$78,800
Unemployment %
10.6%5.5%
IRS Net Migration
+120+478
Work From Home %
4.5%8.6%
Housing
ZIP 48637
Merrill village, MI
View full profile →- Median Home Value$140k
- Median Rent$533
- Owner Occupied %90.8%
- Broadband %82.7%
- Vacant %5.5%
- Median Year Built1969
ZIP 48609
Shields CDP, MI
View full profile →- Median Home Value$166k
- Median Rent$711
- Owner Occupied %87.4%
- Broadband %88.6%
- Vacant %3.8%
- Median Year Built1977
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$140k$166k
Median Rent
$533$711
Owner Occupied %
90.8%87.4%
Broadband %
82.7%88.6%
Vacant %
5.5%3.8%
Median Year Built
19691977
Climate & Location
ZIP 48637
Merrill village, MI
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)640 ft
- Nearest Airport15.1 miles (24.3 km)
- Distance to Coast12.8 miles (20.6 km)
ZIP 48609
Shields CDP, MI
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)600 ft
- Nearest Airport9.9 miles (16.0 km)
- Distance to Coast2.3 miles (3.8 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
640 ft600 ft
Nearest Airport
15.1 miles (24.3 km)9.9 miles (16.0 km)
Distance to Coast
12.8 miles (20.6 km)2.3 miles (3.8 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 48637
Merrill village, MI
View full profile →- Work From Home %4.5%
- Walkability (0–100)23
- Broadband %82.7%
ZIP 48609
Shields CDP, MI
View full profile →- Work From Home %8.6%
- Walkability (0–100)30
- Broadband %88.6%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
4.5%8.6%
Walkability (0–100)
2330
Broadband %
82.7%88.6%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 48637 and 48609 compare?
ZIP 48637 is more affordable rent, more diverse. ZIP 48609 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (48637), orange the second (48609). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
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