Ruth ZIP Code List — Huron County, MI

There is one unique ZIP code in Ruth, Michigan and it is 48470. Area code: 989.

ZIP codes

40.29

sq mi land

0.01

sq mi water

989

area code

Ruth, MI ZIP code map

About Ruth, MI

Ruth is a quaint village located in Huron County, Michigan. With its small-town charm and friendly atmosphere, Ruth offers a peaceful lifestyle amidst the beautiful landscapes of the Great Lakes region. The village is also characterized by its close-knit community, which values tradition and local engagement.

Location & geography

Ruth sits in the southeastern part of Huron County and is surrounded by lush farmland and open spaces. Nearby cities include Bad Axe, located approximately 16 miles to the southwest, Caro, around 20 miles to the south, and Caseville, about 21 miles to the northwest. The village has a total land area of 40.29 square miles, with just a small fraction of 0.01 square miles designated as water.

Community & economy

The character of Ruth is reflective of a typical rural Midwestern town, where community ties run deep and local gatherings are cherished. The village is mostly residential, with agriculture forming the backbone of its economy and contributing to the community's identity. Daily life in Ruth often centers around family, outdoor activities, and local events that highlight the village's small-town spirit.

Transportation

Ruth is accessible via several local roads, with the M-19 highway providing a significant thoroughfare through the region. The nearest named airport is the Huron County Memorial Airport, which is about 25 miles to the south. Public transit options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transportation for residents.

History

Ruth was founded in the early 20th century, emerging alongside the boom in agriculture that characterized much of rural Michigan during that period. Key industries in the area include farming and small-scale manufacturing, which have played an essential role in the village's development over the decades. Notable events in Ruth's history include community festivals that celebrate its agrarian roots and local heritage.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Ruth is that it is named after the daughter of one of its founders, adding a personal touch to the village's history. Additionally, Ruth maintains a strong sense of tradition, often celebrating local harvests and community milestones with lively events.

ZIP codes for Ruth, MI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
48470	Ruth	Huron	View map

Demographics & statistics

579

Population

51.6

Median age

$53,472

Median household income

$29,431

Per capita income

$159,500

Median home value

$950

Median monthly rent

85.9%

Home ownership

11.2%

Poverty rate

5.6%

Unemployment

274

Housing units

10.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	85	14.7%
18 and over	494	85.3%
65 and over	170	29.4%
Median age	51.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 93.5%

Two or more races 3.2%

Black or African American 1.5%

Hispanic or Latino 1.2%

Other race 0.3%

Asian 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	548	93.5%
Two or more races	19	3.2%
Black or African American	9	1.5%
Hispanic or Latino	7	1.2%
Other race	2	0.3%
Asian	1	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 4.7%

$10k–$15k 2.2%

$15k–$25k 12.6%

$25k–$35k 15.9%

$35k–$50k 11.2%

$50k–$75k 24.5%

$75k–$100k 12.3%

$100k–$150k 13.7%

$150k–$200k 0.7%

$200k+ 2.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.7%
$10k–$15k	2.2%
$15k–$25k	12.6%
$25k–$35k	15.9%
$35k–$50k	11.2%
$50k–$75k	24.5%
$75k–$100k	12.3%
$100k–$150k	13.7%
$150k–$200k	0.7%
$200k+	2.2%
Median income	$53,472

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 10.5%

$50k–$100k 18.1%

$100k–$150k 18.1%

$150k–$200k 17.6%

$200k–$300k 17.6%

$300k–$500k 10.5%

$500k–$1M 6.7%

$1M+ 0.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$159,500
Median rent / month	$950
Owner occupied	85.9%
Renter occupied	14.1%
Vacant	11.5%
Single-family detached	96.8%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	3.2%
Median rooms	6.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.03

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	1.0%
2000–2009	4.8%
1990–1999	8.0%
1980–1989	5.8%
1970–1979	20.1%
1960–1969	8.0%
1950–1959	12.5%
1940–1949	10.5%
1939 or earlier	29.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.6%
1 bedroom	0.0%
2 bedrooms	18.2%
3 bedrooms	56.9%
4 bedrooms	19.5%
5+ bedrooms	4.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.5%
1 vehicle	25.3%
2 vehicles	49.5%
3 or more	22.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	27.4%
Electricity	8.7%
Propane / LP gas	37.2%
Fuel oil	12.6%
Wood	8.3%
No fuel used	1.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	165	59.6%
Cohabiting couple	5	1.8%
Male householder, no spouse	47	17.0%
Female householder, no spouse	60	21.7%
Households with children under 18	41	14.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	128	46.2%
Average household size	2.09

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	24.0%	14.8%
Married	65.0%	64.6%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	3.1%	16.7%
Divorced	7.9%	3.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.9%

Some HS, no diploma 3.9%

HS graduate 56.8%

Some college, no degree 14.0%

Associate's degree 10.8%

Bachelor's degree 8.9%

Graduate / professional 1.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.2%
Bachelor's or higher	10.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	8	13.6%
Kindergarten	1	1.7%
Elementary school	20	33.9%
High school	23	39.0%
College / grad school	7	11.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 27.2%

Manufacturing 23.5%

Education & healthcare 12.1%

Retail trade 10.7%

Construction 9.6%

Transportation & utilities 5.5%

Public administration 3.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 2.6%

Other services 2.6%

Professional & management 1.8%

Finance & real estate 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	35.3%
Service	11.4%
Sales & office	17.3%
Natural resources & construction	15.4%
Production & transportation	20.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	68.4%
Government	9.9%
Self-employed	21.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	68.3%
Carpool	6.7%
Public transit	1.1%
Walk	8.6%
Other means	0.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	23.3

Poverty

All people 11.2%

Under 18 years 22.4%

18 and over 9.3%

Married-couple families 2.4%

Female-led households 45.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	43.0%
Retirement income	25.6%
Supplemental Security	2.5%
Cash public assistance	0.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	2.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.0%
High cholesterol	34.6%
Heart disease	8.0%
Stroke	3.7%
Asthma	11.1%
Arthritis	32.2%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	9.2%
Cancer	7.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.7%
No physical activity	23.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.6%
Fair or poor health	16.4%
Poor mental health	16.5%
Poor physical health	12.1%
No health insurance	10.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.4%
Visited dentist	66.7%
Cholesterol screening	90.7%
Teeth loss	15.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	64	13.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.2%
Under 18	4.7%
18–64 years	10.2%
65 and over	26.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	72.5%
Public insurance	44.2%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	537	92.7%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	577	99.7%
Born in same state	577	99.7%
Born in different state	559	96.5%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	2	0.3%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	25	4.3%
Italian	20	3.5%
French	11	1.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	5	0.9%
German	2	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	47.8%
Internet access	84.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Ruth, MI?

Ruth, MI has one ZIP code: 48470.

What is the main ZIP code for Ruth, MI?

The primary ZIP code for Ruth, MI is 48470. The city uses area code 989 for phone service.

What county is Ruth, MI in?

Ruth is located in Huron County, Michigan.

How many ZIP codes are in Ruth, MI?

Ruth, MI has 1 ZIP code.

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

All mail addressed to downtown Ruth, Michigan uses the ZIP code 48470, as this is the only ZIP code serving the entire village.

If I'm sending correspondence to Ruth High School or other public institutions in Ruth, MI, what ZIP code do I need?

Use ZIP code 48470 for all Ruth public institutions and schools, as this single ZIP code covers the entire Huron County community.