Kalkaska ZIP Code List — Kalkaska County, MI

There is one unique ZIP code in Kalkaska, Michigan and it is 49646. Area code: 231.

ZIP codes

219.28

sq mi land

5.34

sq mi water

231

area code

Kalkaska, MI ZIP code map

About Kalkaska, MI

Kalkaska, MI, is a charming village located in the heart of Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula. Known for its beautiful natural landscapes and outdoor recreational activities, Kalkaska serves as a gateway to explore the surrounding wilderness. The village fosters a warm and welcoming community atmosphere, making it a great place for residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Kalkaska is situated in Kalkaska County, approximately 30 miles northeast of Traverse City and 60 miles southwest of Petoskey. The area encompasses a land area of 219.28 square miles and includes 5.34 square miles of waterways, providing ample opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water-related activities. The village is surrounded by diverse terrain, featuring rolling hills, dense forests, and picturesque lakes.

Community & economy

The character of Kalkaska is deeply rooted in its small-town charm and community spirit, where residents take pride in their local culture and outdoor traditions. The economy in Kalkaska is primarily driven by industries such as tourism, agriculture, and small businesses, all of which contribute to the local livelihood. Daily life in Kalkaska often revolves around community events, local markets, and recreational outdoor activities that appeal to both residents and tourists.

Transportation

Kalkaska is conveniently accessed via major highways, including U.S. Route 131 and M-72, facilitating travel to neighboring cities and attractions. The nearest major airport is Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, which is just a short drive away, offering commercial flights to various destinations. For local transit, residents typically rely on personal vehicles, as public transportation options are limited.

History

Kalkaska was founded in the late 19th century, originally serving as a logging and railroad town, which played a pivotal role in the area's early economic development. The discovery of mineral resources and the establishment of the railroad helped solidify Kalkaska’s status as a hub for lumber and tourism in the region. Over the decades, the village has transformed and diversified, remaining a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Did you know?

One surprising aspect of Kalkaska is that it hosts the annual Kalkaska Lumberjack Festival, celebrating the region's rich logging history and showcasing competitions in various lumberjack skills. Additionally, its proximity to the breathtaking natural beauty of the Manistee National Forest makes it an ideal spot for hiking, camping, and exploring Michigan's northern wilderness.

ZIP codes for Kalkaska, MI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
49646	Kalkaska	Kalkaska	View map

Demographics & statistics

8,561

Population

42.1

Median age

$51,760

Median household income

$28,303

Per capita income

$143,300

Median home value

$756

Median monthly rent

80.9%

Home ownership

15.2%

Poverty rate

4.6%

Unemployment

4,946

Housing units

14.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

182

Under 5

171

169

5–9

159

334

10–14

312

318

15–19

298

278

20–24

261

499

25–34

466

552

35–44

517

497

45–54

465

302

55–59

282

379

60–64

354

547

65–74

512

235

75–84

219

131

85+

122

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,648	19.3%
18 and over	6,913	80.7%
65 and over	1,766	20.6%
Median age	42.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91.9%

Two or more races 3.4%

Black or African American 1.3%

Hispanic or Latino 1%

Asian 0.9%

Other race 0.8%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%

Group	Count	%
White	7,950	91.9%
Two or more races	291	3.4%
Black or African American	114	1.3%
Hispanic or Latino	87	1%
Asian	80	0.9%
Other race	68	0.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native	58	0.7%

Household income

Under $10k 2.9%

$10k–$15k 6.4%

$15k–$25k 12.4%

$25k–$35k 11.0%

$35k–$50k 15.4%

$50k–$75k 21.0%

$75k–$100k 12.0%

$100k–$150k 14.9%

$150k–$200k 2.5%

$200k+ 1.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.9%
$10k–$15k	6.4%
$15k–$25k	12.4%
$25k–$35k	11.0%
$35k–$50k	15.4%
$50k–$75k	21.0%
$75k–$100k	12.0%
$100k–$150k	14.9%
$150k–$200k	2.5%
$200k+	1.7%
Median income	$51,760

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 10.6%

$50k–$100k 17.5%

$100k–$150k 25.1%

$150k–$200k 19.9%

$200k–$300k 15.2%

$300k–$500k 8.9%

$500k–$1M 2.7%

$1M+ 0.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$143,300
Median rent / month	$756
Owner occupied	80.9%
Renter occupied	19.1%
Vacant	35.2%
Single-family detached	80.9%
Large apartment buildings	0.7%
Mobile homes	11.2%
Median rooms	5.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.34

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	3.8%
2000–2009	12.3%
1990–1999	10.9%
1980–1989	14.6%
1970–1979	22.5%
1960–1969	12.3%
1950–1959	11.5%
1940–1949	3.4%
1939 or earlier	8.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.2%
1 bedroom	8.8%
2 bedrooms	32.1%
3 bedrooms	45.8%
4 bedrooms	7.8%
5+ bedrooms	2.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.1%
1 vehicle	34.5%
2 vehicles	38.2%
3 or more	20.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	41.4%
Electricity	10.2%
Propane / LP gas	32.8%
Fuel oil	0.3%
Wood	11.7%
No fuel used	0.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,644	44.9%
Cohabiting couple	370	10.1%
Male householder, no spouse	739	20.2%
Female householder, no spouse	908	24.8%
Households with children under 18	930	25.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,333	36.4%
Average household size	2.31

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.1%	22.3%
Married	48.3%	48.6%
Separated	0.6%	2.8%
Widowed	4.8%	10.5%
Divorced	15.1%	15.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.5%

Some HS, no diploma 10.0%

HS graduate 38.0%

Some college, no degree 25.6%

Associate's degree 9.4%

Bachelor's degree 8.6%

Graduate / professional 5.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	87.5%
Bachelor's or higher	14.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	112	6.4%
Kindergarten	35	2.0%
Elementary school	763	43.6%
High school	446	25.5%
College / grad school	394	22.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 17.5%

Manufacturing 14.8%

Retail trade 12.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.8%

Construction 8.6%

Professional & management 8.5%

Finance & real estate 5.7%

Other services 5.1%

Agriculture & mining 4.9%

Public administration 4.7%

Transportation & utilities 3.3%

Wholesale trade 2.1%

Information 0.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	23.4%
Service	18.5%
Sales & office	21.7%
Natural resources & construction	15.2%
Production & transportation	21.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	85.3%
Government	9.6%
Self-employed	5.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.8%
Carpool	13.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.9%
Other means	1.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	28.3

Poverty

All people 15.2%

Under 18 years 18.6%

18 and over 14.4%

Married-couple families 5.4%

Female-led households 38.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	43.3%
Retirement income	35.0%
Supplemental Security	8.5%
Cash public assistance	4.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	19.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.5%
High cholesterol	37.4%
Heart disease	8.1%
Stroke	3.8%
Asthma	11.5%
Arthritis	32.9%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	10.0%
Cancer	7.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.8%
No physical activity	24.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.2%
Fair or poor health	17.6%
Poor mental health	17.2%
Poor physical health	12.9%
No health insurance	10.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.3%
Visited dentist	64.4%
Cholesterol screening	90.3%
Teeth loss	15.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	746	10.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.8%
Under 18	10.3%
18–64 years	16.0%
65 and over	39.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	63.2%
Public insurance	52.0%
Uninsured under 19	1.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	8,208	95.9%
Spanish	62	0.8%
Other Indo-European	58	0.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	4	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	8,451	98.7%
Born in same state	8,355	97.6%
Born in different state	7,105	83.0%
Foreign born	96	1.1%
Naturalized citizen	110	1.3%
Not a US citizen	54	49.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	1,417	16.6%
Italian	987	11.5%
Arab	475	5.5%
English	222	2.6%
German	219	2.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	56	0.7%
Polish	44	0.5%
Norwegian	29	0.3%
Dutch	18	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	42.8%
Internet access	90.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Kalkaska, MI?

Kalkaska, MI has one ZIP code: 49646.

What is the main ZIP code for Kalkaska, MI?

The primary ZIP code for Kalkaska, MI is 49646. The city uses area code 231 for phone service.

What county is Kalkaska, MI in?

Kalkaska is located in Kalkaska County, Michigan.

How many ZIP codes are in Kalkaska, MI?

Kalkaska, MI has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for downtown Kalkaska and the main business district?

Downtown Kalkaska and the main business district are located in ZIP code 49646, which serves as the central commercial area of the city.

What ZIP code should I use for mailing addresses to Kalkaska County government offices located in Kalkaska?

Kalkaska County government offices and services in the city of Kalkaska use ZIP code 49646 for all mailing addresses.