Sanford ZIP Code List — Midland County, MI

There is one unique ZIP code in Sanford, Michigan and it is 48657. Area code: 989.

ZIP codes

61.66

sq mi land

4.53

sq mi water

989

area code

Sanford, MI ZIP code map

About Sanford, MI

Sanford, Michigan is a small but vibrant community located in Midland County. Known for its scenic beauty and inviting atmosphere, Sanford attracts visitors and residents alike. The city is a peaceful retreat, offering a blend of rural charm and modern amenities.

Location & geography

Sanford is situated in the central part of Michigan, approximately 12 miles southwest of the city of Midland, 17 miles northeast of Mount Pleasant, and about 26 miles northwest of Saginaw. The terrain around Sanford includes rolling hills and several lakes, making it a picturesque location for outdoor activities. The city covers a total land area of 61.66 square miles, with an additional 4.53 square miles designated as water.

Community & economy

The character of Sanford is largely shaped by its close-knit community and family-friendly environment. Local industries include agriculture and small businesses, which contribute to the area's economy and create a sense of local identity. Daily life in Sanford is peaceful, with residents enjoying access to parks, recreational activities, and community events throughout the year.

Transportation

Sanford is easily accessible via major highways such as US Route 10 and M-20, which provide connections to larger cities in the region. The nearest major airport is the Midland-Bay City-Saginaw Airport, located approximately 12 miles to the northeast. Public transit options are limited, but the community is well-connected for those with personal vehicles.

History

Sanford was originally founded in the late 19th century and developed as a lumbering town, capitalizing on the abundant forests in the area. Over the years, the city has adapted to changing economic circumstances, transitioning from lumber to agriculture and small-scale manufacturing. Notable events in Sanford's history include its recovery and revitalization efforts following significant flooding in 1986.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Sanford is that it is home to the historic Sanford Dam, which plays a crucial role in the area's water management and recreation. Additionally, the city features a unique blend of natural beauty and local history, making it an interesting spot for exploration.

ZIP codes for Sanford, MI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
48657	Sanford	Midland	View map

Demographics & statistics

7,506

Population

47.7

Median age

$67,414

Median household income

$38,074

Per capita income

$165,600

Median home value

$856

Median monthly rent

85.8%

Home ownership

16.0%

Poverty rate

4.1%

Unemployment

2,995

Housing units

25.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

240

Under 5

248

198

5–9

206

138

10–14

143

234

15–19

243

210

20–24

217

398

25–34

413

321

35–44

332

425

45–54

441

268

55–59

277

331

60–64

343

534

65–74

554

312

75–84

323

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,526	20.3%
18 and over	5,980	79.7%
65 and over	1,880	25.0%
Median age	47.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 90.1%

Two or more races 5.1%

Hispanic or Latino 2.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.5%

Black or African American 0.7%

Other race 0.3%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	6,924	90.1%
Two or more races	389	5.1%
Hispanic or Latino	182	2.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	112	1.5%
Black or African American	53	0.7%
Other race	21	0.3%
Asian	7	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 6.8%

$10k–$15k 6.9%

$15k–$25k 6.7%

$25k–$35k 9.0%

$35k–$50k 9.9%

$50k–$75k 16.4%

$75k–$100k 10.0%

$100k–$150k 20.0%

$150k–$200k 7.3%

$200k+ 7.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.8%
$10k–$15k	6.9%
$15k–$25k	6.7%
$25k–$35k	9.0%
$35k–$50k	9.9%
$50k–$75k	16.4%
$75k–$100k	10.0%
$100k–$150k	20.0%
$150k–$200k	7.3%
$200k+	7.0%
Median income	$67,414

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 9.4%

$50k–$100k 18.6%

$100k–$150k 15.2%

$150k–$200k 19.3%

$200k–$300k 20.7%

$300k–$500k 11.5%

$500k–$1M 4.9%

$1M+ 0.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$165,600
Median rent / month	$856
Owner occupied	85.8%
Renter occupied	14.2%
Vacant	9.8%
Single-family detached	76.8%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	17.4%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.39

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	2.1%
2000–2009	15.1%
1990–1999	23.6%
1980–1989	9.9%
1970–1979	25.3%
1960–1969	7.0%
1950–1959	10.0%
1940–1949	2.7%
1939 or earlier	4.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.8%
1 bedroom	3.6%
2 bedrooms	17.7%
3 bedrooms	58.3%
4 bedrooms	15.9%
5+ bedrooms	3.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.0%
1 vehicle	33.4%
2 vehicles	38.4%
3 or more	24.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	69.4%
Electricity	6.3%
Propane / LP gas	18.4%
Wood	4.3%
No fuel used	0.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,837	59.3%
Cohabiting couple	224	7.2%
Male householder, no spouse	417	13.5%
Female householder, no spouse	622	20.1%
Households with children under 18	856	27.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,277	41.2%
Average household size	2.42

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	22.6%	18.8%
Married	61.3%	59.0%
Separated	1.9%	0.8%
Widowed	2.5%	12.0%
Divorced	11.8%	9.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.5%

Some HS, no diploma 3.5%

HS graduate 29.5%

Some college, no degree 23.9%

Associate's degree 14.2%

Bachelor's degree 16.0%

Graduate / professional 9.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.9%
Bachelor's or higher	25.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	112	7.6%
Kindergarten	173	11.7%
Elementary school	470	31.7%
High school	387	26.1%
College / grad school	339	22.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.3%

Manufacturing 15.8%

Retail trade 13.9%

Construction 11.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.4%

Professional & management 7.0%

Transportation & utilities 5.3%

Other services 3.4%

Finance & real estate 3.2%

Wholesale trade 2.1%

Public administration 1.0%

Information 0.9%

Agriculture & mining 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	36.1%
Service	16.7%
Sales & office	23.5%
Natural resources & construction	11.4%
Production & transportation	12.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	84.2%
Government	10.0%
Self-employed	5.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	75.7%
Carpool	10.6%
Public transit	1.1%
Walk	2.2%
Other means	1.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	29.7

Poverty

All people 16.0%

Under 18 years 20.9%

18 and over 14.8%

Married-couple families 12.0%

Female-led households 18.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	45.0%
Retirement income	40.5%
Supplemental Security	5.1%
Cash public assistance	4.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	12.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.1%
High cholesterol	37.3%
Heart disease	7.4%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	11.0%
Arthritis	32.3%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	8.5%
Cancer	7.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.3%
No physical activity	20.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.6%
Fair or poor health	14.5%
Poor mental health	15.7%
Poor physical health	11.5%
No health insurance	8.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.3%
Visited dentist	69.2%
Cholesterol screening	92.2%
Teeth loss	11.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	562	9.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.5%
Under 18	2.4%
18–64 years	9.5%
65 and over	31.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	71.0%
Public insurance	48.5%
Uninsured under 19	0.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	7,018	93.5%
Spanish	31	0.4%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	15	0.2%
Other languages	4	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	7,427	98.9%
Born in same state	7,414	98.8%
Born in different state	6,728	89.6%
Foreign born	13	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	79	1.1%
Not a US citizen	43	54.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	745	9.9%
French	715	9.5%
Arab	511	6.8%
English	119	1.6%
German	97	1.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	53	0.7%
Norwegian	33	0.4%
Polish	18	0.2%
Dutch	3	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.3%
Internet access	86.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Sanford, MI?

Sanford, MI has one ZIP code: 48657.

What is the main ZIP code for Sanford, MI?

The primary ZIP code for Sanford, MI is 48657. The city uses area code 989 for phone service.

What county is Sanford, MI in?

Sanford is located in Midland County, Michigan.

How many ZIP codes are in Sanford, MI?

Sanford, MI has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code covers downtown Sanford and the area around Sanford Lake?

Downtown Sanford and the Sanford Lake area are located in ZIP code 48657, which serves as the primary postal code for this central Michigan community.

What is the ZIP code for residential areas in Sanford near M-18 highway?

Residential neighborhoods in Sanford near M-18 highway use ZIP code 48657, which covers the majority of the city's developed areas.