Marlette is a city in Sanilac County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,855 at the time of the 2020 census. The city is surrounded by Marlette Township, but is administratively autonomous. Marlette is known as "The Heart of the Thumb" due to its location in Michigan's thumb.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code48453

Area code989

Living in Marlette

Safety in Marlette

C⁺

Safety Grade C+

Marlette reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 57% report less.

Violent crime per 1,000

Marlette 2.7

Michigan 4.3

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Marlette 12.5

Michigan 13

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Marlette

Full picture →

About one in 5 of Marlette’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are Sandusky (9%), Marlette (4%) and Imlay City (3%). Half commute less than 22 miles.

Sandusky

Marlette

Imlay City

Lapeer

20%Work in townlive and work in Marlette 22 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 1,456Jobs based herea job hub

Census LEHD 2021 · ACSWork & commute in Marlette →

Health in Marlette

C⁻

Health Grade C−

Healthier than 17% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 44% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Michigan

9worse than MI

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 23 are too close to call.

Conditions 5▼ 7 close Habits 2▼ 2 close Care 1▼ 6 close Mind 1▼ 4 close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

18.4%More older adults who have lost all their teethMI 10.2% · worse 10.8%More adults with COPDMI 8.1% · worse 18.6%More smokersMI 14.6% · worse

Care nearby

Marlette Regional HospitalMarlette · 0.4 mi · ER · rural critical access

Lapeer ClinicLapeer · 22 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Marlette · CMS · HRSAHealth in Marlette →

Natural hazards in Marlette

Very low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 17% of U.S. communities.

🥶 Cold waves🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes

0Does Marlette flood?no paid flood claims on record 2Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Marlette

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Marlette →

Climate in Marlette

Full climate →

Marlette has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 81°, a January night drops to 16°, and about 42 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

32° / 18°Winter

55° / 35°Spring

80° / 58°Summer

59° / 41°Fall

How much snow does Marlette get?About 42 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 16, with the last in spring around May 2.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.6° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Marlette →

Schools in Marlette

All Marlette schools →

A⁻

School Grade A-

The public schools Marlette’s kids attend outperform 84% of Michigan’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

DistrictMarlette Community SchoolsSchools2

Marlette Elementary B+Elementary · Grades PK–5 · 328 students Marlette JrSr High School B+High · Grades 6–12 · 371 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within MI. Ratings are from neighbors.