West Branch ZIP Code List — Ogemaw County, MI

There is one unique ZIP code in West Branch, Michigan and it is 48661. Area code: 989.

ZIP codes

263.51

sq mi land

2.95

sq mi water

989

area code

West Branch, MI ZIP code map

About West Branch, MI

West Branch is a charming city located in the heart of Michigan. Nestled within Ogemaw County, it offers a blend of natural beauty and small-town charm. The city is known for its welcoming community and diverse recreational opportunities that attract visitors year-round.

Location & geography

Situated in central Michigan, West Branch is surrounded by lush forests and pristine lakes. Nearby cities include East Tawas approximately 22 miles to the northeast, Houghton Lake about 32 miles to the northwest, and Standish around 19 miles to the southeast. The city spans a land area of 263.51 square miles and has a water area of 2.95 square miles, showcasing a mix of terrain that includes both forests and wetlands.

Community & economy

The character of West Branch is defined by its friendly residents and active local organizations that foster a strong sense of community. The city is supported by industries such as manufacturing and retail, with many residents also involved in tourism-related activities due to its appealing surroundings. Daily life in West Branch includes community events, outdoor activities, and a tight-knit atmosphere that makes it an enjoyable place to live.

Transportation

West Branch is accessible via major highways including Interstate 75, which runs north-south, providing easy travel to surrounding areas. The nearest airport is the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport, located about 25 miles to the northeast. Public transportation options are limited, but the city is well-connected by road.

History

West Branch was founded in the mid-19th century and has a rich history tied to the lumber industry, which was a significant economic driver during its early years. The city has also hosted various community events that reflect the local culture and history. Notable events in its past include the establishment of several parks and recreational facilities that enhance quality of life for its residents.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about West Branch is that it serves as a hub for outdoor enthusiasts with its proximity to the Au Sable River, which is popular for fishing and kayaking. Additionally, the city is located near the scenic Huron National Forest, offering numerous trails and scenic views.

ZIP codes for West Branch, MI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
48661	West Branch	Ogemaw	View map

Demographics & statistics

10,538

Population

47.9

Median age

$56,349

Median household income

$32,035

Per capita income

$151,100

Median home value

$784

Median monthly rent

78.2%

Home ownership

13.5%

Poverty rate

4.4%

Unemployment

5,433

Housing units

18.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

261

Under 5

254

264

5–9

257

307

10–14

300

270

15–19

264

269

20–24

263

550

25–34

536

560

35–44

546

636

45–54

621

344

55–59

336

476

60–64

464

786

65–74

767

471

75–84

460

140

85+

136

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,990	18.9%
18 and over	8,548	81.1%
65 and over	2,760	26.2%
Median age	47.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 93.4%

Two or more races 2.5%

Asian 1.5%

Hispanic or Latino 0.9%

Black or African American 0.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.6%

Other race 0.5%

Group	Count	%
White	9,929	93.4%
Two or more races	263	2.5%
Asian	164	1.5%
Hispanic or Latino	98	0.9%
Black or African American	66	0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	61	0.6%
Other race	51	0.5%

Household income

Under $10k 4.3%

$10k–$15k 4.6%

$15k–$25k 11.1%

$25k–$35k 8.9%

$35k–$50k 14.7%

$50k–$75k 21.7%

$75k–$100k 13.1%

$100k–$150k 12.9%

$150k–$200k 4.9%

$200k+ 3.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.3%
$10k–$15k	4.6%
$15k–$25k	11.1%
$25k–$35k	8.9%
$35k–$50k	14.7%
$50k–$75k	21.7%
$75k–$100k	13.1%
$100k–$150k	12.9%
$150k–$200k	4.9%
$200k+	3.6%
Median income	$56,349

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 7.8%

$50k–$100k 19.5%

$100k–$150k 22.2%

$150k–$200k 15.5%

$200k–$300k 21.7%

$300k–$500k 11.5%

$500k–$1M 1.2%

$1M+ 0.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$151,100
Median rent / month	$784
Owner occupied	78.2%
Renter occupied	21.8%
Vacant	29.8%
Single-family detached	83.5%
Large apartment buildings	2.5%
Mobile homes	7.8%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.36

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	1.7%
2000–2009	13.5%
1990–1999	22.4%
1980–1989	13.2%
1970–1979	14.7%
1960–1969	8.8%
1950–1959	10.4%
1940–1949	6.5%
1939 or earlier	8.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.2%
1 bedroom	6.7%
2 bedrooms	28.6%
3 bedrooms	45.6%
4 bedrooms	13.0%
5+ bedrooms	4.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.7%
1 vehicle	31.5%
2 vehicles	38.9%
3 or more	23.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	40.8%
Electricity	8.5%
Propane / LP gas	29.6%
Fuel oil	2.2%
Wood	14.2%
Solar	0.2%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,383	52.9%
Cohabiting couple	372	8.3%
Male householder, no spouse	786	17.5%
Female householder, no spouse	962	21.4%
Households with children under 18	1,088	24.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,911	42.4%
Average household size	2.29

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	25.9%	20.5%
Married	57.1%	56.3%
Separated	1.7%	0.8%
Widowed	3.8%	11.4%
Divorced	11.5%	11.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.8%

Some HS, no diploma 7.4%

HS graduate 34.3%

Some college, no degree 24.9%

Associate's degree 13.0%

Bachelor's degree 12.8%

Graduate / professional 5.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	90.8%
Bachelor's or higher	18.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	92	4.8%
Kindergarten	127	6.6%
Elementary school	870	45.4%
High school	478	24.9%
College / grad school	351	18.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 26.8%

Retail trade 15.0%

Manufacturing 12.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.7%

Construction 7.5%

Transportation & utilities 5.3%

Agriculture & mining 5.0%

Public administration 4.8%

Finance & real estate 3.7%

Professional & management 3.5%

Other services 2.8%

Wholesale trade 1.5%

Information 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	34.8%
Service	18.9%
Sales & office	20.6%
Natural resources & construction	8.9%
Production & transportation	16.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.1%
Government	11.7%
Self-employed	5.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	83.6%
Carpool	6.7%
Public transit	0.2%
Walk	2.3%
Other means	0.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.1

Poverty

All people 13.5%

Under 18 years 18.8%

18 and over 12.3%

Married-couple families 5.9%

Female-led households 32.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	49.0%
Retirement income	33.9%
Supplemental Security	6.8%
Cash public assistance	3.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	17.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	39.1%
High cholesterol	38.6%
Heart disease	8.9%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	11.4%
Arthritis	35.9%
Kidney disease	3.7%
Pulmonary disease	10.5%
Cancer	8.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.3%
No physical activity	23.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.0%
Fair or poor health	18.1%
Poor mental health	16.5%
Poor physical health	13.2%
No health insurance	10.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.6%
Visited dentist	63.3%
Cholesterol screening	91.5%
Teeth loss	15.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	819	9.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	17.9%
Under 18	5.7%
18–64 years	15.5%
65 and over	32.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	65.9%
Public insurance	53.5%
Uninsured under 19	1.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	10,023	95.1%
Spanish	76	0.8%
Other Indo-European	10	0.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	33	0.3%
Other languages	33	0.3%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	10,285	97.6%
Born in same state	10,246	97.2%
Born in different state	9,378	89.0%
Foreign born	39	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	253	2.4%
Not a US citizen	126	49.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	1,277	12.1%
Italian	1,184	11.2%
Arab	653	6.2%
German	448	4.3%
English	120	1.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	111	1.1%
Polish	75	0.7%
Dutch	30	0.3%
Norwegian	17	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	42.7%
Internet access	91.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for West Branch, MI?

West Branch, MI has one ZIP code: 48661.

What is the main ZIP code for West Branch, MI?

The primary ZIP code for West Branch, MI is 48661. The city uses area code 989 for phone service.

What county is West Branch, MI in?

West Branch is located in Ogemaw County, Michigan.

How many ZIP codes are in West Branch, MI?

West Branch, MI has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code should I use for mailing packages to businesses in downtown West Branch along Main Street?

Downtown West Branch, including the Main Street commercial district, uses ZIP code 48661.

What is the ZIP code for the West Branch-Rose City area schools and residential neighborhoods?

The West Branch area, including local schools and surrounding residential neighborhoods in Ogemaw County, is served by ZIP code 48661.