Plat book of Mecosta County, Michigan, 1900
Morley’s story
157 years in pictures
Census counts: 299 in 1880, 517 in 2020. The archive holds 5 old photos and papers going back to 1900 and 2 maps from 1959 on.
- 1869Morley is settled
MorleyMI
A town of 535, settled in 1869.
Population
535
2025 Census estimate · +4.5% since 2020
Typical home
$209K
+9.9% in a year
Household income
$42K
median
Median age
31.7
years
Jobs based here
76
A commuter town
Is Morley a good place to live?
Morley has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Small town
535 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Morley: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Morley, and how to reach them.
PowerDTE20.2¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterThe Pines water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet5 providers98% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Morley’s trash rules yet
Register to voteOnlineIn Michigan you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereAetna Township ClerkAetna Township; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Nov 2025
ZIP code4933649336 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 12, 2025.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Morley.
Work & commute
Morley stands out in Michigan and nationally, with more of its residents who live below the poverty line
1.3% of Morley working residents work locally. The town’s median household income is $42,000, below both Michigan’s towns ($77,000) and U.S. towns ($80,000). Its mean commuting time is 28 minutes. Employers in Morley shed 57 jobs between 2011 and 2021, to 76.
1%work in town
| Morley | Michigan towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below the poverty line | 34% | 8.9% | 9.6% |
| Median household income | $42,000 | $77,000 | $80,000 |
| Working residents who work in town | 1.3% | 5.9% | 8% |
| Average trip to work | 28 minutes | 25 minutes | 25 minutes |
Where working residents work
In Morley1%
Big Rapids11%
Grand Rapids11%
Mecosta Township5%
Walker3%
36 mi
median commute distance
76
jobs based in Morley
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2021 · ACS
Natural hazards
The FEMA risk score in Morley is higher than in most of Michigan or the rest of the country
Nearly half of Morley’s expected losses from natural hazards come from strong winds, followed by inland flooding at 30%. Federal aid has come to Morley households in 3 declared disasters; the latest was in 2026. Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 72% of U.S. communities.
72risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Strong windInland floodingTornadoes
3
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Housing
Zillow puts the typical Morley home at about $209K
Over the 12 months to September 2026, the typical home gained 9.9% in value. Just over three quarters of households are owner-occupiers in Morley.
$209KZillow home value
Typical home value
Morley$209K
Michigan$264K
+9.9%
value change, 1 year
1
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Climate
Expect snowy winters and pleasant summers in Morley
Morley’s typical July afternoon high is 82°F.
64″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter16–32°
Spring33–56°
Summer55–80°
Fall38–59°
Oct 2
typical first frost
May 13
typical last frost
+1.4°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Health
How healthy Morley is
The share of adults 18 to 64 in Morley who have no health insurance: 9.3%. Among 702 Michigan towns, just 9 have a higher share of adults who have been diagnosed with depression than Morley.
| Morley | Michigan towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 22% | 18% | 17% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 31% | 27% | 23% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 21% | 15% | 14% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 14% | 14% |
32 measures vs. Michigan
0 better19 too close to call13 worse
| What stands out | Morley | MI |
|---|---|---|
| More older adults who have lost all their teeth | 18.1% | 10.2% |
| More smokers | 20.7% | 14.6% |
| More adults with COPD | 11.4% | 8.1% |
Corewell Health Big Rapids Hospital
14.1 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Morley
16pages on Morley
The big questions
Out and about
Day to day
After high school
Colleges nearby
1 within 15 miles of the center of Morley
About 2 of every 100 Morley residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Michigan.
A commuter town
99% of working residents leave Morley for work
Where Morley’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
76jobs based in Morley
1%of working residents work in town
36 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2021
Questions about Morley
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Morley, MI a good place to live?
Morley has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.