Santa Train, 2009
Newaygo’s story
179 years in pictures
Census counts: 703 in 1870, 2,471 in 2020. The archive holds 21 old photos and papers going back to 2009 and 2 maps from 1958 on.
- 1847Newaygo is settled
NewaygoMI
Trash & recyclingPopulation
2,547
2025 Census estimate · +3.5% since 2020
Typical home
$278K
+8.8% in a year
Household income
$41K
median
Median age
31.0
years
Jobs based here
1,951
A job hub
TownGrade
D
#642 of 697 in MI
Is Newaygo a good place to live?
Newaygo grades D overall, 642nd of 697 graded towns in Michigan, mostly because of incomes and safety. The median household income is $41K, and 20% of residents live below the poverty line. Its crime rate is higher than 78% of U.S. towns, with 4 violent crimes reported to the FBI in 2025. One bright spot: 6% of its land is conserved. 20% of residents live below the poverty line in Newaygo, against 8.9% in Michigan’s towns and 9.6% across U.S. towns. The biggest park or preserve is EH Henning County Park, at 83 acres.
What makes Newaygo stand out
Where Newaygo beats most towns.
A growing town
Newaygo has grown 29% since 2010
1,976 counted in 2010 and 2,471 in 2020; an estimated 2,547 in 2025.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
How Newaygo grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Michigan), ordered by how far Newaygo is from typical.
Jobs & incomeD−Open →SafetyC−Open →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 31% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listB+Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 6.8 of 20; 14.1% of households have no car; 4.3% of workers walk, bike or ride transitBOpen →HealthCorewell Health Gerber Hospital 8.3 miles awayC+Open →Cost of livingC+Open →SchoolsB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors1 mile of trailA−Open →History2 notable people born hereB+Open →Civic life2 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsBOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
Climate–Open →Housing market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 31.0; 10% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Newaygo: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Newaygo, and how to reach them.
PowerDTE20.2¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterNewaygo water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet7 providers94% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpTown’s haulerAmerican Classic picks up at the curb for every homeTown site
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 hereNewaygo City ClerkThe town itself; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Nov 2025
ZIP code4933749337 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 Newaygo.
Newaygo draws workers from Brooks Township and beyond, is healthier than towns with similar incomes and has seen reported crime fall by a third or more.
Work & commuteJobs & income grade D−
Newaygo stands out in Michigan and nationally: the median household income there is lower
1,951 jobs are based in Newaygo, 2 for every working resident, so most of the people who work here commute in. Jobs based here grew from 648 in 2011 to 1,951.
Jobs based in Newaygo grew to 1,951 in 2021, 1,303 more than in 2011. 13% of working residents work locally in Newaygo. The top destinations are Grand Rapids (11%), Walker (4%) and Fremont (4%).
13%work in town
| Newaygo | Michigan towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $41,000 | $77,000 | $80,000 |
| Working residents who work in town | 13% | 5.9% | 8% |
| Average trip to work | 28 minutes | 25 minutes | 25 minutes |
Where working residents work
In Newaygo13%
Grand Rapids11%
Walker4%
Fremont4%
Sparta Township3%
28 mi
median commute distance
1,951
jobs based in Newaygo
A job hub
jobs vs. working residents
B
Walkability grade: more walkable than 64% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2021 · ACS
SchoolsB−
Newaygo’s schools rank behind 52% of Michigan districts
Its public schools are run by the Newaygo Public School District. Two of its 3 schools are below, each with why it’s listed. The largest public high school is Newaygo High School, with 460 students.
48%of MI districts it outscoresB−School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newaygo Elementary SchoolLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–4 | Grades PK–4 | 635 | C+ |
| Newaygo High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 460 | B |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MI on state tests and graduation
SafetyC−
Newaygo’s grade for safety is a C−
Reported crimes fell from 72 to 50 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.
Newaygo’s property crime rate is 17.9 per 1,000 residents. Newaygo reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 78% report less.
22%of U.S. towns report more crimeC−Safety Grade
| Newaygo | Michigan towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 17.9 per 1,000 residents | 7.8 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 1.6 per 1,000 residents | 1.9 | 1.6 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Newaygo1.6
Michigan4.3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Newaygo17.9
Michigan13
U.S.15.5
22nd
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
23rd
percentile among MI towns
4
violent crimes reported in 2025
46
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
#333for trails in MI
| Newaygo | Michigan towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conserved land | 6.3% | 4.4% | 4.3% |
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.3 miles per square mile | 0.3 | 0.4 |
6.3%
conserved · 156 of 2,495 acres
1.3 mi
of trails · 0.3 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. EH Henning County Park | 0.2 mi | 83 |
| 2. Shaw Park | — | 19 |
| 3. Riverfront Park | — | 3 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade B+
Low risk in Newaygo, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 69% of U.S. communities. Since 1986, 10 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Newaygo.
31risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingStrong windCold waves
10
paid flood claims since 1986
3
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Climate
In Newaygo, expect snowy winters and pleasant summers
Newaygo has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. July afternoons reach 82°, January nights drop to 16° and about 48 inches of snow falls in a winter.
48″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter18–33°
Spring34–57°
Summer56–80°
Fall39–60°
Oct 11
typical first frost
May 8
typical last frost
+1.5°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
HealthC+
Health in Newaygo trails 60% of U.S. towns
Against the 2,568 U.S. towns with household incomes like Newaygo’s, it is healthier than 89%, so its C+ isn’t only a matter of income.
Newaygo beats the Michigan average on 0 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 4. 28% of Newaygo adults have been diagnosed with depression.
40%healthier than U.S. townsC+Health Grade
| Newaygo | Michigan towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 28% | 27% | 23% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 18% | 17% | 16% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 15% | 14% |
| Food insecurity (CDC PLACES) | 16% | 14% | 14% |
32 measures vs. Michigan
0 better28 too close to call4 worse
| What stands out | Newaygo | MI |
|---|---|---|
| More older adults who have lost all their teeth | 14.4% | 10.2% |
| Fewer adults seeing a dentist | 63.6% | 68% |
| Fewer adults getting cholesterol checked | 84.4% | 87.4% |
Corewell Health Gerber Hospital
8.3 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
41st
percentile among MI towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
HousingCost of living grade C+
Newaygo’s typical home value is about $278K
The typical Newaygo home is worth about $278,000, up 8.8% in a year, 5% above the Michigan typical home.
$278KZillow home value
| Newaygo | Michigan towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 58% | 84% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,040 a month | $1,047 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Newaygo$278K
Michigan$264K
+8.8%
value change, 1 year
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Newaygo
20pages on Newaygo
The big questions
SchoolsB−Behind 52% of MI districts · 3 schoolsSafetyC−1.6 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthC+Better than MI on 0 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingC+$278K typical home · up 8.8% in a yearWork & commuteD−$41K median household income · 1,951 jobs hereNatural hazardsB+FEMA risk higher than 31% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Newaygo; the nearest are
Muskegon Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Muskegon23 mi$7,250 in-state tuitionFerris State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · Big Rapids24.5 mi$14,778 in-state tuition
About 2 of every 100 Newaygo residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Michigan.
A job hub
Every workday, about 1,821 people come to Newaygo for work
Where Newaygo’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
1,951jobs based in Newaygo
13%of working residents work in town
28 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2021
About Newaygo
City in Michigan, United States
Newaygo ( nə-WAY-goh) is a rural city in Newaygo County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,471 at the 2020 census.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1847
- Area
- 4.0 sq mi
- Elevation
- 705 ft
- ZIP code
- 49337
- Area code
- 231
Newaygo’s neighbors
2 towns share a border with Newaygo.
Garfield TownshipBrooks TownshipNewaygo
How the neighbors grade
| Town | MI rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newaygo | #642 | D | C+ | C− | B− | C+ |
| Garfield Township | #541 | C | C+ | — | B | C |
| Brooks Township | #620 | C− | C+ | — | B− | C |
Garfield Township and Brooks Township report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Newaygo with a neighbor →
Questions about Newaygo
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Newaygo, MI a good place to live?
Newaygo grades D overall, better than 14% of U.S. towns and #642 of 697 in Michigan. It grades C+ for health, C− for safety and B− for schools. Jobs & income is its weak spot, with a D−.
Is Newaygo, MI expensive?
That is 4.4 years of the area's median household income ($63,304 across the county). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C+.
What is Newaygo, MI known for?
2 notable people were born here, including Roy Bargy and Ella H. Brockway Avann.