The Town FilesGaines, Michigan
Township in Genesee County · population 6,664 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $238,300
- Household income
- $84,363
- Jan low / Jul high
- 15° / 83°
- Snow a year
- 52 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 23
- Median age
- 45.8
Gaines is a township of 6,664 people in Genesee County, Michigan. The median home is worth $238,300, above the typical Michigan town ($193,900). It ranks better for families than 90% of Michigan towns, easier by car than 86% of Michigan towns, more upscale than 70% of Michigan towns.
How Gaines 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 Gaines is worth $238,300, above the typical Michigan town ($193,900). Homes cost about 2.8 times the median household income of $84,363, which is more affordable than 55% of Michigan towns. Median rent is $998 a month. 95.5% of households own their home.
| Housing | Gaines | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $238,300 | $193,900 |
| Median rent | $998 | $955 |
| Median household income | $84,363 | $69,792 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.8× | 2.8× |
| Homeownership | 95.5% | 86.8% |
| Median year built | 1980 | 1975 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 2.0% | — |
Who lives in Gaines
| People | Gaines | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.8 | 43.7 |
| Age 65 and over | 18.9% | 20.7% |
| Under 18 | 21.3% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 21.5% |
| Below the poverty line | 4.7% | 10.4% |
| Veterans | 6.1% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 2.7% | — |
| Work from home | 7.1% | 9.1% |
| Average commute | 31.5 min | 25.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 92.1% | 88.8% |
Weather in Gaines
July highs average 83.3°F and January lows 15.2°F. About 33.5 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 52.1 inches of snow (typical Michigan town: 52.1 in). Expect about 13 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 148 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
23 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Gaines since 1950, compared with 10 for the typical Michigan town. 6 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF2, struck on March 14, 2019 about 5.9 miles from the town center. The most recent was on April 14, 2026.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 19 times; the largest was 1.75 inches on July 3, 2012.
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 Gaines itself the ACS puts it at 5.6%.
Towns near Gaines
- Vernon, MI3.9 mi · 4,273 people · home $169,400
- Argentine, MI5.1 mi · 7,091 people · home $277,200
- Swartz Creek, MI5.2 mi · 5,897 people · home $174,200
- Durand, MI5.6 mi · 3,507 people · home $140,300
- Mundy, MI6.3 mi · 15,281 people · home $214,200
- Clayton, MI6.9 mi · 7,460 people · home $231,200
- Burns, MI7.6 mi · 3,280 people · home $236,200
- Linden, MI7.8 mi · 4,142 people · home $239,700
Gaines questions
Is Gaines, Michigan a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Gaines scores better for retirees than 59% of Michigan towns and quieter than 64%. 18.9% of residents are 65 or older (median age 45.8).
How much does a house cost in Gaines?
The median owner-occupied home in Gaines is valued at $238,300 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $84,363, so homes cost about 2.8 times income. Median rent is $998 a month.
What is the weather like in Gaines?
July highs average 83.3°F and January lows 15.2°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 33.5 inches of precipitation a year and 52.1 inches of snow.
Does Gaines get tornadoes?
23 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Gaines since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF2 on March 14, 2019. 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)