ZIP Code 48870 — Palo CDP, MI Demographics & Data

ZIP code 48870 covers Palo, MI in Ionia County with a population of about 204.

At a glance, the area shows median age of 28.5 versus a U.S. median of about 38.9.

It sits in telephone area code 989; U.S. House district MI-2; the GRAND RAPIDS - KALMZOO - B. CRK media market.

Median household income in ZIP 48870 is about $34,091 — about 55% below the U.S. median ($75,149).

On socioeconomic markers, US5 shows a poverty rate of 19.6%; unemployment rate near 0.0%.

Labor and commute patterns include leading industry context around Construction and Manufacturing; a mean commute of about 68.0 minutes (U.S. average near 26.8).

Median home value is about $93,200 — about 73% below the U.S. median home value ($348,079).

Housing tenure and rents show owner-occupancy near 100.0% (about 34.6 points above the national owner-occupancy rate (65.4%)).

To comfortably buy a median-priced home in ZIP 48870 in Palo, MI, a household would need roughly $26,000 in annual income under a 20% down, 30-year loan at 6.8% (illustrative), keeping housing costs near 28% of income. Estimated monthly PITI is about $599. That sits below the local median household income ($34,091), suggesting the typical household income is closer to a workable buy-in level under these assumptions. Rates, taxes, insurance, and HOA fees vary — treat this as a planning estimate, not a lender quote.

FEMA’s National Risk Index rates natural-hazard risk for Palo CDP, MI as Relatively Low (composite score 55.9), which is near the middle of the national distribution. The strongest component scores on US5 are flood (63.8) and hurricane (34.0). These scores are county-linked NRI values published for planning context — all ZIP codes in the same county share the same composite score on US5. Useful when comparing insurance and disaster exposure across areas, not a substitute for a parcel-level flood or fire determination.

Climate normals for Palo CDP, MI show little to no average snow and around 35.9 inches of annual precipitation.

IRS migration statistics show a net inflow of about 8 for ZIP 48870 (Palo CDP, MI) on US5’s published series — a signal of people/tax filers moving in relative to those leaving. Inflows often track job growth, housing demand, or lifestyle migration; treat the figure as a directional indicator rather than a precise headcount.