East Tawas ZIP Code List — Iosco County, MI

There is one unique ZIP code in East Tawas, Michigan and it is 48730. Area code: 989.
1
ZIP codes
81.46
sq mi land
6.89
sq mi water
989
area code
East Tawas, MI ZIP code map

About East Tawas, MI

East Tawas, Michigan, is a charming city located in the heart of Iosco County. Known for its picturesque views and a vibrant community, it serves as a delightful destination for both residents and visitors. Scattered along the shores of Lake Huron, the city is infused with a rich blend of nature and small-town charm.

Location & geography

East Tawas is situated approximately 50 miles northeast of the city of Saginaw and is surrounded by the beautiful waters of Lake Huron to the east. Its total area spans 81.46 square miles, with 6.89 square miles dedicated to water bodies, creating a diverse habitat that attracts many outdoor enthusiasts. The surrounding terrain features a mix of sandy beaches, scenic parks, and wooded areas, enhancing its natural beauty.

Community & economy

The community of East Tawas is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and strong local connections. The economy benefits from tourism, particularly during summer months, when visitors flock to the area for its recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, and beach activities. Daily life in East Tawas is enriched by local shops, eateries, and recreational facilities that reflect a quintessential small-town lifestyle.

Transportation

East Tawas is accessible via U.S. Highway 23, which runs along the eastern edge of the city, providing convenient routes for travelers. The nearest named airport is the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport, located about 12 miles away, which offers general aviation services. Public transportation options are limited, as the city is primarily oriented towards personal vehicle use.

History

East Tawas was founded in the late 19th century, emerging as a vital community for timber and fishing industries. Over the years, it has evolved into a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its scenic lakeshore and recreational activities. Notable events in its history include the establishment of the Tawas Point Lighthouse, which remains a significant landmark in the area.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about East Tawas is that it is home to the annual Tawas Bay Arts Council events, which showcases local artists and craftspeople. Additionally, the city's beautiful beaches draw many families looking for summer escapes and make it a perfect spot for beachcombing and sunset watching.

ZIP codes for East Tawas, MI (1)
ZIP code City County Map
48730 East Tawas Iosco View map

Demographics & statistics

4,586
Population
54.8
Median age
$47,009
Median household income
$34,109
Per capita income
$131,800
Median home value
$580
Median monthly rent
73.8%
Home ownership
11.6%
Poverty rate
7.0%
Unemployment
2,946
Housing units
22.6%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
76
Under 5
84
82
5–9
90
74
10–14
82
109
15–19
119
75
20–24
83
204
25–34
223
180
35–44
198
302
45–54
331
156
55–59
172
232
60–64
255
465
65–74
510
162
75–84
177
69
85+
76
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1861813.5%
18 and over3,96886.5%
65 and over1,45931.8%
Median age54.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 87.5%
Two or more races 5.4%
Hispanic or Latino 4.1%
Black or African American 1.5%
Other race 0.7%
Asian 0.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%
GroupCount%
White4,18487.5%
Two or more races2595.4%
Hispanic or Latino1944.1%
Black or African American721.5%
Other race320.7%
Asian210.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native180.4%

Household income

Under $10k 3.1%
$10k–$15k 7.1%
$15k–$25k 12.7%
$25k–$35k 11.0%
$35k–$50k 20.5%
$50k–$75k 17.5%
$75k–$100k 13.2%
$100k–$150k 7.8%
$150k–$200k 2.7%
$200k+ 4.4%
Range% of households
Under $10k3.1%
$10k–$15k7.1%
$15k–$25k12.7%
$25k–$35k11.0%
$35k–$50k20.5%
$50k–$75k17.5%
$75k–$100k13.2%
$100k–$150k7.8%
$150k–$200k2.7%
$200k+4.4%
Median income$47,009

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.1%
$50k–$100k 32.6%
$100k–$150k 22.5%
$150k–$200k 18.4%
$200k–$300k 13.7%
$300k–$500k 8.7%
$500k–$1M 0.8%
$1M+ 0.1%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$131,800
Median rent / month$580
Owner occupied73.8%
Renter occupied26.2%
Vacant35.0%
Single-family detached84.2%
Large apartment buildings6.2%
Mobile homes3.4%
Median rooms5.6
Avg household size (owned)2.09

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.2%
2010–20190.8%
2000–200912.8%
1990–19996.9%
1980–19897.0%
1970–197918.2%
1960–196910.9%
1950–195919.0%
1940–194912.7%
1939 or earlier11.5%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)3.8%
1 bedroom8.8%
2 bedrooms31.3%
3 bedrooms42.5%
4 bedrooms10.6%
5+ bedrooms3.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle11.2%
1 vehicle43.2%
2 vehicles35.5%
3 or more10.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas79.2%
Electricity9.1%
Propane / LP gas7.8%
Fuel oil0.2%
Wood3.2%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family87938.1%
Cohabiting couple1878.1%
Male householder, no spouse53623.2%
Female householder, no spouse70630.6%
Households with children under 1833714.6%
Households with seniors (65+)1,10047.7%
Average household size1.97

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married26.5%21.9%
Married49.8%40.9%
Separated0.8%4.8%
Widowed3.6%15.9%
Divorced19.3%16.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.2%
Some HS, no diploma 3.7%
HS graduate 35.9%
Some college, no degree 28.2%
Associate's degree 8.4%
Bachelor's degree 10.8%
Graduate / professional 11.8%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher95.1%
Bachelor's or higher22.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool71.2%
Kindergarten437.3%
Elementary school27346.4%
High school20935.5%
College / grad school569.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 29.6%
Manufacturing 13.1%
Other services 11.4%
Arts, food & hospitality 10.8%
Retail trade 10.4%
Transportation & utilities 8.1%
Professional & management 5.6%
Finance & real estate 4.5%
Construction 2.3%
Agriculture & mining 1.7%
Information 1.1%
Public administration 1.1%
Wholesale trade 0.3%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts33.7%
Service25.8%
Sales & office17.2%
Natural resources & construction10.4%
Production & transportation12.9%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector82.1%
Government8.4%
Self-employed9.5%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone77.1%
Carpool10.6%
Public transit0.2%
Walk7.2%
Other means1.4%
Avg commute (minutes)15.9

Poverty

All people 11.6%
Under 18 years 15.5%
18 and over 11.0%
Married-couple families 3.3%
Female-led households 18.1%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security54.2%
Retirement income42.6%
Supplemental Security9.9%
Cash public assistance2.1%
Food stamps / SNAP13.5%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure41.9%
High cholesterol40.4%
Heart disease9.8%
Stroke4.4%
Asthma10.9%
Arthritis39.2%
Kidney disease4.0%
Pulmonary disease10.5%
Cancer9.7%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking15.3%
No physical activity24.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep32.5%
Fair or poor health17.6%
Poor mental health14.8%
Poor physical health13.2%
No health insurance9.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)78.2%
Visited dentist66.7%
Cholesterol screening93.5%
Teeth loss14.1%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans47912.1%
Disability%
Any disability23.8%
Under 188.3%
18–64 years21.1%
65 and over34.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance64.3%
Public insurance57.0%
Uninsured under 193.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only4,42696.5%
Spanish631.4%
Other Indo-European451.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages180.4%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)4,46797.4%
Born in same state4,41696.3%
Born in different state3,43174.8%
Foreign born511.1%
Naturalized citizen1192.6%
Not a US citizen9176.5%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French72115.7%
Italian48210.5%
Arab2174.7%
English912%
AncestryCount%
German801.7%
Irish531.2%
Polish420.9%
Norwegian10%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access50.3%
Internet access88.1%

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

Frequently asked questions
What is the ZIP code for East Tawas, MI?
East Tawas, MI has one ZIP code: 48730.
What is the main ZIP code for East Tawas, MI?
The primary ZIP code for East Tawas, MI is 48730. The city uses area code 989 for phone service.
What county is East Tawas, MI in?
East Tawas is located in Iosco County, Michigan.
How many ZIP codes are in East Tawas, MI?
East Tawas, MI has 1 ZIP code.
What ZIP code covers the downtown East Tawas area along Lake Huron's shoreline?
Downtown East Tawas, including the waterfront district and main commercial areas along US-23, is located in ZIP code 48730.
What is the ZIP code for East Tawas State Park and the surrounding residential neighborhoods?
East Tawas State Park and the adjacent residential communities in East Tawas are served by ZIP code 48730.
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