Bear Lake ZIP Code List — Manistee County, MI

There is one unique ZIP code in Bear Lake, Michigan and it is 49614. Area code: 231.

ZIP codes

91.39

sq mi land

3.18

sq mi water

231

area code

Bear Lake, MI ZIP code map

About Bear Lake, MI

Bear Lake, Michigan, is a charming small town nestled in Manistee County. Known for its picturesque landscapes and serene atmosphere, it attracts both residents and visitors looking for a peaceful retreat. The community is enhanced by its proximity to natural attractions and a tight-knit residential feel.

Location & geography

Located in the northwestern part of Michigan, Bear Lake offers a unique blend of land and water features. The town is situated approximately 10 miles from the larger community of Manistee and is within easy reach of neighboring cities such as Onekama, just 11 miles away, and Benzonia, about 15 miles to the southeast. The terrain consists of 91.39 square miles of land and includes a harmonious 3.18 square miles of water areas, contributing to the area's charm.

Community & economy

The character of Bear Lake is largely defined by its inviting community spirit and emphasis on outdoor activities. Many residents are engaged in industries such as tourism, agriculture, and retail, supporting a local economy that thrives on both seasonal visitors and year-round inhabitants. Daily life is often filled with recreational opportunities, including fishing, boating, and enjoying the beautiful scenery that surrounds the town.

Transportation

Bear Lake can be accessed via major highways such as M-22, which connects the town to neighboring areas and facilitates movement to larger cities. The nearest airport to Bear Lake is Manistee County Blacker Airport, located about 12 miles to the south, offering both commercial and general aviation services. Local transit options are limited, so personal vehicles are the most common form of transportation.

History

Bear Lake was founded in the early 20th century, originally developed around the nearby lake that bears its name. The town was primarily driven by industries related to logging and agriculture, which played a significant role in its establishment and growth. Over the years, Bear Lake has transformed into a tranquil enclave known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Bear Lake is that it has often been considered a hidden gem for nature lovers, thanks to its proximity to numerous lakes and parks that offer a variety of outdoor activities. Additionally, the town's small size means that many community events foster a strong sense of camaraderie among residents and visitors alike.

ZIP codes for Bear Lake, MI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
49614	Bear Lake	Manistee	View map

Demographics & statistics

3,029

Population

51.4

Median age

$69,063

Median household income

$35,626

Per capita income

$189,000

Median home value

$988

Median monthly rent

96.9%

Home ownership

9.1%

Poverty rate

2.7%

Unemployment

1,930

Housing units

26.2%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

125

15–19

117

20–24

130

25–34

123

160

35–44

150

219

45–54

206

127

55–59

120

115

60–64

108

247

65–74

233

117

75–84

111

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	510	16.8%
18 and over	2,519	83.2%
65 and over	828	27.3%
Median age	51.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 89%

Two or more races 5.6%

Hispanic or Latino 2.7%

Black or African American 1.3%

Other race 0.7%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%

Group	Count	%
White	2,772	89%
Two or more races	174	5.6%
Hispanic or Latino	84	2.7%
Black or African American	40	1.3%
Other race	22	0.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native	21	0.7%

Household income

Under $10k 3.1%

$10k–$15k 1.7%

$15k–$25k 7.6%

$25k–$35k 10.4%

$35k–$50k 9.9%

$50k–$75k 21.8%

$75k–$100k 18.7%

$100k–$150k 14.1%

$150k–$200k 9.4%

$200k+ 3.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.1%
$10k–$15k	1.7%
$15k–$25k	7.6%
$25k–$35k	10.4%
$35k–$50k	9.9%
$50k–$75k	21.8%
$75k–$100k	18.7%
$100k–$150k	14.1%
$150k–$200k	9.4%
$200k+	3.4%
Median income	$69,063

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.4%

$50k–$100k 18.4%

$100k–$150k 14.5%

$150k–$200k 14.7%

$200k–$300k 23.2%

$300k–$500k 17.0%

$500k–$1M 6.2%

$1M+ 0.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$189,000
Median rent / month	$988
Owner occupied	96.9%
Renter occupied	3.1%
Vacant	42.1%
Single-family detached	91.6%
Large apartment buildings	0.1%
Mobile homes	7.5%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.59

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.8%
2010–2019	4.0%
2000–2009	11.6%
1990–1999	11.5%
1980–1989	12.3%
1970–1979	14.5%
1960–1969	15.7%
1950–1959	8.1%
1940–1949	7.4%
1939 or earlier	14.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.1%
1 bedroom	6.4%
2 bedrooms	25.8%
3 bedrooms	48.1%
4 bedrooms	15.2%
5+ bedrooms	3.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.6%
1 vehicle	30.2%
2 vehicles	34.5%
3 or more	31.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	42.8%
Electricity	2.7%
Propane / LP gas	30.9%
Fuel oil	2.5%
Wood	19.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	622	54.7%
Cohabiting couple	77	6.8%
Male householder, no spouse	218	19.2%
Female householder, no spouse	220	19.3%
Households with children under 18	230	20.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	536	47.1%
Average household size	2.60

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	32.6%	23.2%
Married	51.5%	52.6%
Separated	0.8%	1.0%
Widowed	3.5%	13.0%
Divorced	11.7%	10.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.8%

Some HS, no diploma 4.0%

HS graduate 38.9%

Some college, no degree 20.9%

Associate's degree 9.2%

Bachelor's degree 17.9%

Graduate / professional 8.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	95.2%
Bachelor's or higher	26.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	30	5.7%
Kindergarten	14	2.7%
Elementary school	204	38.9%
High school	187	35.7%
College / grad school	89	17.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Arts, food & hospitality 17.9%

Manufacturing 15.3%

Construction 12.6%

Education & healthcare 12.5%

Retail trade 10.9%

Professional & management 10.3%

Public administration 6.2%

Transportation & utilities 3.9%

Other services 3.9%

Finance & real estate 3.3%

Wholesale trade 1.7%

Agriculture & mining 1.0%

Information 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.5%
Service	17.7%
Sales & office	20.6%
Natural resources & construction	12.6%
Production & transportation	17.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.3%
Government	13.6%
Self-employed	6.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	78.3%
Carpool	8.6%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	2.8%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.8

Poverty

All people 9.1%

Under 18 years 15.4%

18 and over 7.8%

Married-couple families 1.8%

Female-led households 14.4%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	50.8%
Retirement income	44.2%
Supplemental Security	4.5%
Cash public assistance	2.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.3%
High cholesterol	37.7%
Heart disease	8.3%
Stroke	3.7%
Asthma	10.6%
Arthritis	34.1%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	8.9%
Cancer	8.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.3%
No physical activity	20.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.8%
Fair or poor health	15.2%
Poor mental health	14.8%
Poor physical health	11.6%
No health insurance	8.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.0%
Visited dentist	70.4%
Cholesterol screening	92.8%
Teeth loss	12.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	200	7.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.8%
Under 18	2.2%
18–64 years	16.7%
65 and over	25.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	69.8%
Public insurance	42.3%
Uninsured under 19	9.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,932	96.8%
Spanish	11	0.4%
Other Indo-European	9	0.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	2	0.1%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	3,002	99.1%
Born in same state	2,999	99.0%
Born in different state	2,442	80.6%
Foreign born	3	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	27	0.9%
Not a US citizen	18	66.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	442	14.6%
Italian	316	10.4%
Arab	251	8.3%
English	83	2.7%
German	62	2%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	52	1.7%
Irish	45	1.5%
Polish	23	0.8%
Norwegian	13	0.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.5%
Internet access	89.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Bear Lake, MI?

Bear Lake, MI has one ZIP code: 49614.

What is the main ZIP code for Bear Lake, MI?

The primary ZIP code for Bear Lake, MI is 49614. The city uses area code 231 for phone service.

What county is Bear Lake, MI in?

Bear Lake is located in Manistee County, Michigan.

How many ZIP codes are in Bear Lake, MI?

Bear Lake, MI has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for downtown Bear Lake and the surrounding waterfront area along Lake Michigan?

The downtown Bear Lake waterfront area, including businesses and residences near the lakeshore, uses ZIP code 49614.

What ZIP code should I use for mailing packages to Bear Lake's residential neighborhoods in Manistee County?

All residential areas throughout Bear Lake, Michigan in Manistee County use the single ZIP code 49614.