Mears ZIP Code List — Oceana County, MI

There is one unique ZIP code in Mears, Michigan and it is 49436. Area code: 231.

ZIP codes

31.90

sq mi land

7.26

sq mi water

231

area code

Mears, MI ZIP code map

About Mears, MI

Mears is a charming village located in Michigan's Oceana County. Known for its picturesque landscapes and proximity to Lake Michigan, it offers a serene escape for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With a single ZIP code of 49436, it captures the essence of small-town life in the Midwest.

Location & geography

Nestled in the western part of Michigan, Mears is surrounded by a beautiful terrain that includes both land and water areas. The total land area of Mears is 31.90 square miles, with an additional 7.26 square miles classified as water, making it a haven for recreational activities. Nearby cities include Hart, located approximately 12 miles to the west, Shelby about 14 miles south, Crystal Lake around 10 miles east, and the coastal city of Ludington, about 26 miles to the north.

Community & economy

Mears possesses a close-knit community atmosphere, where residents value their local heritage and the natural beauty surrounding them. The local economy thrives primarily on tourism, particularly due to its proximity to Silver Lake State Park, which attracts many visitors each year. Daily life in Mears reflects a slower pace, where families enjoy outdoor activities, community events, and local gatherings.

Transportation

Mears is accessible via several roads, with State Highway M-20 being the primary route that connects the village to surrounding areas. The nearest larger airport is the Manistee County Blacker Airport, located around 30 miles away, providing access for regional flights. Public transportation options are limited, so most residents rely on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Founded in the late 1800s, Mears began as a small logging community that capitalized on the region's abundant natural resources. Over the years, it transitioned towards becoming a tourist destination, with key industries evolving around recreational activities and hospitality. Notable events in Mears' history include the establishment of Silver Lake State Park, which continues to play a significant role in drawing visitors to the area.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Mears is that it serves as a gateway to Silver Lake Sand Dunes, a unique landscape known for its vast dunes and off-road vehicle trails. Additionally, Mears hosts an annual pancake breakfast that draws in both locals and tourists, celebrating community spirit and local traditions.

ZIP codes for Mears, MI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
49436	Mears	Oceana	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,672

Population

55.6

Median age

$63,306

Median household income

$30,990

Per capita income

$203,500

Median home value

$773

Median monthly rent

89.7%

Home ownership

8.1%

Poverty rate

13.0%

Unemployment

2,229

Housing units

21.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

104

45–54

55–59

108

60–64

185

65–74

161

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	258	15.4%
18 and over	1,414	84.6%
65 and over	512	30.6%
Median age	55.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 84.3%

Hispanic or Latino 6.8%

Other race 4.3%

Two or more races 4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%

Group	Count	%
White	1,512	84.3%
Hispanic or Latino	122	6.8%
Other race	77	4.3%
Two or more races	71	4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	12	0.7%

Household income

Under $10k 3.4%

$10k–$15k 6.4%

$15k–$25k 7.8%

$25k–$35k 11.7%

$35k–$50k 10.3%

$50k–$75k 21.6%

$75k–$100k 19.9%

$100k–$150k 15.0%

$150k–$200k 0.7%

$200k+ 3.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.4%
$10k–$15k	6.4%
$15k–$25k	7.8%
$25k–$35k	11.7%
$35k–$50k	10.3%
$50k–$75k	21.6%
$75k–$100k	19.9%
$100k–$150k	15.0%
$150k–$200k	0.7%
$200k+	3.3%
Median income	$63,306

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.6%

$50k–$100k 10.9%

$100k–$150k 24.8%

$150k–$200k 10.9%

$200k–$300k 19.4%

$300k–$500k 18.4%

$500k–$1M 5.7%

$1M+ 7.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$203,500
Median rent / month	$773
Owner occupied	89.7%
Renter occupied	10.3%
Vacant	66.7%
Single-family detached	74.8%
Large apartment buildings	0.2%
Mobile homes	24.8%
Median rooms	4.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.17

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	8.1%
2000–2009	14.3%
1990–1999	14.2%
1980–1989	13.5%
1970–1979	16.1%
1960–1969	16.5%
1950–1959	7.0%
1940–1949	2.6%
1939 or earlier	7.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.6%
1 bedroom	5.8%
2 bedrooms	55.4%
3 bedrooms	27.5%
4 bedrooms	9.4%
5+ bedrooms	1.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.5%
1 vehicle	29.7%
2 vehicles	47.1%
3 or more	20.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	18.6%
Electricity	12.8%
Propane / LP gas	52.2%
Fuel oil	8.1%
Wood	3.8%
No fuel used	1.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	397	51.7%
Cohabiting couple	44	5.7%
Male householder, no spouse	190	24.7%
Female householder, no spouse	137	17.8%
Households with children under 18	130	16.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	386	50.3%
Average household size	2.17

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	30.2%	16.7%
Married	54.3%	61.1%
Separated	1.2%	1.1%
Widowed	4.7%	15.3%
Divorced	9.6%	5.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.1%

Some HS, no diploma 3.7%

HS graduate 35.2%

Some college, no degree 21.6%

Associate's degree 15.1%

Bachelor's degree 15.8%

Graduate / professional 5.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.2%
Bachelor's or higher	21.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	19	8.4%
Kindergarten	34	15.0%
Elementary school	108	47.8%
High school	36	15.9%
College / grad school	29	12.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 16.5%

Education & healthcare 15.2%

Professional & management 10.9%

Retail trade 9.6%

Agriculture & mining 9.5%

Public administration 8.3%

Transportation & utilities 7.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.3%

Other services 6.3%

Construction 4.6%

Wholesale trade 2.9%

Information 1.3%

Finance & real estate 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	37.3%
Service	13.5%
Sales & office	19.1%
Natural resources & construction	15.8%
Production & transportation	14.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	78.2%
Government	16.8%
Self-employed	5.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	72.4%
Carpool	14.7%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.7%
Other means	3.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.7

Poverty

All people 8.1%

Under 18 years 6.6%

18 and over 8.3%

Married-couple families 6.0%

Female-led households 12.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	51.3%
Retirement income	29.6%
Supplemental Security	4.8%
Cash public assistance	2.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	10.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	38.2%
High cholesterol	42.5%
Heart disease	8.9%
Stroke	3.9%
Asthma	10.5%
Arthritis	35.4%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	9.4%
Cancer	9.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.4%
No physical activity	22.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.2%
Fair or poor health	16.0%
Poor mental health	14.5%
Poor physical health	12.2%
No health insurance	10.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.1%
Visited dentist	70.2%
Cholesterol screening	93.2%
Teeth loss	12.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	186	13.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	18.2%
Under 18	3.5%
18–64 years	15.1%
65 and over	31.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	65.1%
Public insurance	50.7%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,603	95.9%
Spanish	39	2.4%
Other Indo-European	36	2.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	3	0.2%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,623	97.1%
Born in same state	1,614	96.5%
Born in different state	1,282	76.7%
Foreign born	9	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	49	2.9%
Not a US citizen	26	53.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	267	16%
English	207	12.4%
French	166	9.9%
Arab	156	9.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	29	1.7%
Dutch	16	1%
Norwegian	10	0.6%
German	5	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	45.9%
Internet access	94.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Mears, MI?

Mears, MI has one ZIP code: 49436.

What is the main ZIP code for Mears, MI?

The primary ZIP code for Mears, MI is 49436. The city uses area code 231 for phone service.

What county is Mears, MI in?

Mears is located in Oceana County, Michigan.

How many ZIP codes are in Mears, MI?

Mears, MI has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code should I use when mailing something to a business in downtown Mears, Michigan?

All mail to downtown Mears and throughout the city uses ZIP code 49436, as it is the only ZIP code serving Mears in Oceana County.

If I'm shipping a package to someone living in the Mears area near Lake Michigan, what ZIP code do I need?

You would use ZIP code 49436, which covers all residential and commercial areas throughout Mears, including properties near the Lake Michigan shoreline.