The Town FilesFenton, Michigan
City in Genesee County · population 12,050 (2020 Census) · spans 3 counties
- Median home
- $235,900
- Household income
- $80,000
- Jan low / Jul high
- 15° / 81°
- Snow a year
- 49 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 21
- Median age
- 38.8
Fenton is a city of 12,050 people in Genesee County, Michigan. The median home is worth $235,900, above the typical Michigan town ($193,900). It ranks better for young professionals than 97% of Michigan towns, more vibrant than 97% of Michigan towns, more walkable than 92% of Michigan towns.
How Fenton ranks
Percentile among Michigan towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Michigan towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Fenton is worth $235,900, above the typical Michigan town ($193,900). Homes cost about 2.9 times the median household income of $80,000, which is more affordable than 48% of Michigan towns. Median rent is $1,275 a month. 63.1% of households own their home.
| Housing | Fenton | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $235,900 | $193,900 |
| Median rent | $1,275 | $955 |
| Median household income | $80,000 | $69,792 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.9× | 2.8× |
| Homeownership | 63.1% | 86.8% |
| Median year built | 1981 | 1975 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.0% | — |
Who lives in Fenton
| People | Fenton | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.8 | 43.7 |
| Age 65 and over | 16.2% | 20.7% |
| Under 18 | 21.2% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.2% | 21.5% |
| Below the poverty line | 6.9% | 10.4% |
| Veterans | 6.3% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 4.2% | — |
| Work from home | 16.2% | 9.1% |
| Average commute | 31.3 min | 25.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 93.8% | 88.8% |
Weather in Fenton
July highs average 80.5°F and January lows 15.2°F. About 34.5 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 49.4 inches of snow (typical Michigan town: 52.1 in). Expect about 6 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 149 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
21 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Fenton since 1950, compared with 10 for the typical Michigan town. 6 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF2, struck on February 28, 2024 about 8.6 miles from the town center. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 1 deaths and 2 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on November 10, 2024.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 24 times; the largest was 1.75 inches on July 27, 2014.
Severe weather in Genesee County since 1996
Genesee County has been included in 14 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, other, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| March 27, 2020 | Biological | DR-4494: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3455: Covid-19 |
| January 16, 2016 | Toxic Substances | EM-3375: Contaminated Water |
| September 7, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3225: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 30, 2004 | Severe Storm | DR-1527: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
Jobs and pay in Genesee County
Genesee County had 133,787 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $55,798 a year. Unemployment was 5% in 2023; in Fenton itself the ACS puts it at 8.7%.
Public schools in Fenton
5 public schools with 2,922 students, about 16.4 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fenton Senior High School | 9-12 | 1,048 | 18.1 |
| Andrew G Schmidt Middle School | 6-8 | 718 | 18.4 |
| TomekEastern Elem School | K-5 | 401 | 14.9 |
| State Road Elementary School | K-5 | 386 | 14.3 |
| North Road Elementary School | K-5 | 369 | 13.7 |
Towns near Fenton
- Fenton, MI2.7 mi · 16,843 people · home $354,800
- Lake Fenton, MI3.1 mi · 5,905 people · home $396,800
- Linden, MI3.5 mi · 4,142 people · home $239,700
- Tyrone, MI4.5 mi · 11,986 people · home $370,600
- Holly, MI4.8 mi · 5,997 people · home $192,300
- Holly, MI5.1 mi · 12,006 people · home $240,800
- Argentine, MI6.1 mi · 2,685 people · home $328,700
- Rose, MI6.2 mi · 6,188 people · home $345,100
Fenton questions
Is Fenton, Michigan a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Fenton scores better for retirees than 33% of Michigan towns and quieter than 10%. 16.2% of residents are 65 or older (median age 38.8).
How much does a house cost in Fenton?
The median owner-occupied home in Fenton is valued at $235,900 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $80,000, so homes cost about 2.9 times income. Median rent is $1,275 a month.
What is the weather like in Fenton?
July highs average 80.5°F and January lows 15.2°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 34.5 inches of precipitation a year and 49.4 inches of snow.
Does Fenton get tornadoes?
21 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Fenton since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF2 on February 28, 2024. The typical Michigan town has had 10.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)