Pentwater ZIP Code List — Oceana County, MI

There is one unique ZIP code in Pentwater, Michigan and it is 49449. Area code: 231.
1
ZIP codes
41.73
sq mi land
8.15
sq mi water
231
area code
Pentwater, MI ZIP code map

About Pentwater, MI

Pentwater, Michigan, is a charming village nestled along the western coastline of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Situated in Oceana County, this picturesque locale is well-known for its beautiful sandy beaches and vibrant downtown area. Often referred to as a summer retreat, Pentwater draws visitors who seek relaxation and outdoor activities in a serene environment.

Location & geography

Pentwater is located near the shores of Lake Michigan, approximately five miles south of the larger city of Ludington. The surrounding landscape encompasses both land and water, with Pentwater covering a total area of 41.73 square miles, including 8.15 square miles of water. The village's stunning waterfront vistas and natural beauty provide a tranquil escape for residents and tourists alike.

Community & economy

The character of Pentwater is one of warmth and hospitality, with a close-knit community that welcomes visitors year-round. The local economy thrives on tourism, particularly during the summer months, as well as industries like retail and agriculture. Daily life in Pentwater revolves around community events, outdoor recreation, and enjoying the scenic beauty of the region.

Transportation

Pentwater is easily accessible via Michigan Highway 31, which runs along the coastline, connecting it to other key destinations. The nearest major airport is the Manistee Blacker Airport, located about 30 miles to the south. Local transit options are available, primarily catering to visitors during the busy summer season.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Pentwater initially established itself as a key lumber and shipping center thanks to its strategic location along Lake Michigan. Over the years, the village evolved into a popular resort destination, drawing vacationers to its pristine beaches and recreational opportunities. Notable events including the annual Pentwater Arts and Crafts Festival showcase the town's vibrant culture and continued community spirit.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Pentwater is that it is home to an annual wooden boat show, celebrating the rich maritime heritage of the area. Additionally, the village is recognized for its charming lighthouse, which stands as a historical landmark along the picturesque coastline.

ZIP codes for Pentwater, MI (1)
ZIP code City County Map
49449 Pentwater Oceana View map

Demographics & statistics

2,703
Population
58.1
Median age
$73,102
Median household income
$38,713
Per capita income
$266,500
Median home value
$698
Median monthly rent
88.5%
Home ownership
10.0%
Poverty rate
4.9%
Unemployment
2,447
Housing units
42.1%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
49
Under 5
51
39
5–9
40
43
10–14
45
75
15–19
79
25
20–24
26
104
25–34
110
145
35–44
151
106
45–54
111
115
55–59
120
96
60–64
101
315
65–74
330
165
75–84
172
44
85+
46
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1839414.6%
18 and over2,30985.4%
65 and over1,07239.7%
Median age58.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.3%
Two or more races 2.5%
Hispanic or Latino 2.3%
Other race 0.6%
Asian 0.3%
GroupCount%
White2,60994.3%
Two or more races702.5%
Hispanic or Latino642.3%
Other race160.6%
Asian80.3%

Household income

Under $10k 2.8%
$10k–$15k 4.1%
$15k–$25k 4.2%
$25k–$35k 7.8%
$35k–$50k 12.5%
$50k–$75k 20.3%
$75k–$100k 19.7%
$100k–$150k 16.4%
$150k–$200k 5.5%
$200k+ 6.6%
Range% of households
Under $10k2.8%
$10k–$15k4.1%
$15k–$25k4.2%
$25k–$35k7.8%
$35k–$50k12.5%
$50k–$75k20.3%
$75k–$100k19.7%
$100k–$150k16.4%
$150k–$200k5.5%
$200k+6.6%
Median income$73,102

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.5%
$50k–$100k 5.2%
$100k–$150k 7.1%
$150k–$200k 12.9%
$200k–$300k 27.6%
$300k–$500k 28.5%
$500k–$1M 14.5%
$1M+ 1.7%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$266,500
Median rent / month$698
Owner occupied88.5%
Renter occupied11.5%
Vacant54.6%
Single-family detached86.7%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes7.0%
Median rooms5.3
Avg household size (owned)2.33

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20198.9%
2000–200912.5%
1990–199914.9%
1980–198912.6%
1970–197917.5%
1960–19694.0%
1950–19594.9%
1940–19494.5%
1939 or earlier20.1%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.3%
1 bedroom3.4%
2 bedrooms30.7%
3 bedrooms46.5%
4 bedrooms13.4%
5+ bedrooms5.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle3.2%
1 vehicle29.4%
2 vehicles41.9%
3 or more25.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas43.0%
Electricity9.9%
Propane / LP gas33.8%
Fuel oil3.4%
Wood7.8%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family72762.0%
Cohabiting couple948.0%
Male householder, no spouse13411.4%
Female householder, no spouse21818.6%
Households with children under 1822118.8%
Households with seniors (65+)63654.2%
Average household size2.30

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married22.0%20.1%
Married65.3%61.6%
Separated0.0%1.0%
Widowed4.6%7.1%
Divorced8.1%10.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.1%
Some HS, no diploma 3.4%
HS graduate 27.0%
Some college, no degree 19.2%
Associate's degree 7.1%
Bachelor's degree 25.5%
Graduate / professional 16.6%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher95.5%
Bachelor's or higher42.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool4612.0%
Kindergarten51.3%
Elementary school12432.5%
High school13836.1%
College / grad school6918.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 21.5%
Retail trade 13.7%
Arts, food & hospitality 11.4%
Construction 10.6%
Manufacturing 8.5%
Transportation & utilities 7.8%
Public administration 7.8%
Other services 5.1%
Information 3.7%
Professional & management 3.7%
Finance & real estate 3.4%
Agriculture & mining 1.4%
Wholesale trade 1.4%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts37.6%
Service16.9%
Sales & office23.3%
Natural resources & construction10.3%
Production & transportation11.8%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector66.8%
Government20.7%
Self-employed11.7%
Unpaid family workers0.8%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone74.4%
Carpool10.0%
Public transit0.0%
Walk2.6%
Other means0.2%
Avg commute (minutes)25.0

Poverty

All people 10.0%
Under 18 years 17.8%
18 and over 8.7%
Married-couple families 3.7%
Female-led households 14.5%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security59.2%
Retirement income46.8%
Supplemental Security5.0%
Cash public assistance2.0%
Food stamps / SNAP9.8%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure40.2%
High cholesterol43.8%
Heart disease9.6%
Stroke4.2%
Asthma10.4%
Arthritis37.6%
Kidney disease3.9%
Pulmonary disease9.7%
Cancer10.1%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking15.1%
No physical activity21.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep30.5%
Fair or poor health16.0%
Poor mental health13.6%
Poor physical health12.1%
No health insurance8.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)78.9%
Visited dentist72.0%
Cholesterol screening94.2%
Teeth loss11.5%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans24710.7%
Disability%
Any disability18.9%
Under 1811.7%
18–64 years17.0%
65 and over23.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance72.0%
Public insurance56.3%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only2,60396.3%
Spanish70.3%
Other Indo-European70.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)2,67899.1%
Born in same state2,67198.8%
Born in different state2,07176.6%
Foreign born70.3%
Naturalized citizen250.9%
Not a US citizen1352.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French48317.9%
Italian42715.8%
English2057.6%
Arab1445.3%
Polish592.2%
AncestryCount%
Norwegian261%
German250.9%
Dutch230.9%
Irish210.8%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access43.4%
Internet access95.3%

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

Frequently asked questions
What is the ZIP code for Pentwater, MI?
Pentwater, MI has one ZIP code: 49449.
What is the main ZIP code for Pentwater, MI?
The primary ZIP code for Pentwater, MI is 49449. The city uses area code 231 for phone service.
What county is Pentwater, MI in?
Pentwater is located in Oceana County, Michigan.
How many ZIP codes are in Pentwater, MI?
Pentwater, MI has 1 ZIP code.
What is the ZIP code for downtown Pentwater and the surrounding waterfront area near Lake Michigan?
Downtown Pentwater, including the historic pier and waterfront district along Lake Michigan, is located in ZIP code 49449.
What ZIP code should I use for mailing packages to businesses in Pentwater's downtown commercial district?
All businesses and residences in Pentwater's downtown commercial district use ZIP code 49449 for mailing addresses.
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