The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 48883 sells for about $170,000, or $131 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 45 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $842 a month.
ZIP 48883 — Shepherd
The housing market in 48883 remains stable with modest price appreciation and low inventory levels. Demand is driven by local buyers seeking affordable rural living, while limited new construction keeps supply tight.
This ZIP is well-suited for families and individuals seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle with affordable housing costs and proximity to the regional employment hubs of Mount Pleasant and Alma.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 45 days on market with 3.5 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.2% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 6.0% · poverty 12.7% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 3.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
in-migration and out-migration balanced
ZCTA 48883, Isabella County MI
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
The area is served by Shepherd Public Schools, which generally maintains a stable reputation within the rural Isabella County educational landscape.
The region faces standard Midwestern climate risks, including seasonal severe thunderstorms and winter weather, with flood risks primarily localized to low-lying areas near the Chippewa River.
Economic momentum is driven by proximity to Mount Pleasant and the agricultural sector, with limited large-scale industrial development currently reported within the ZIP.
Property taxes are assessed at the local township level in Isabella County, subject to state-mandated millage caps and the Michigan Proposal A assessment limitations.
Residents primarily commute by personal vehicle to Mount Pleasant or Alma for employment, with travel times typically ranging from 15 to 25 minutes.
The area features access to local parks and rural green spaces, with proximity to the Chippewa River for outdoor activities and basic shopping amenities in nearby Shepherd and Mount Pleasant.
The rental market is characterized by low turnover and limited inventory, primarily consisting of single-family homes and small-scale multi-family units.
The local economy is anchored by agriculture, manufacturing, and proximity to Central Michigan University in nearby Mount Pleasant.
Development is primarily focused on small-scale residential infill and agricultural land preservation.
Parcels are subject to standard Isabella County property tax levies and Shepherd Public School district millages.
Property insurance premiums are generally stable, reflecting the area's low exposure to catastrophic natural disasters.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Provides local recreational opportunities including fishing and kayaking.
Community park serving as a central hub for local events and recreation.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.