CountyScore

Alcona County

Michigan · MI

#6 in Michigan
73.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Alcona County, Michigan

Alcona Ranks in Top 25% Nationally

Alcona County's composite score of 73.7 places it well above the national median of 50.0, putting the county in the 74th percentile nationally. This means Alcona outperforms roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties on overall livability metrics, a strong showing for a rural northern Michigan community.

Above Average for Michigan

At 73.7, Alcona's composite score exceeds Michigan's state average of 68.7, ranking it solidly in the upper tier of the state's 83 counties. The county's performance reflects strengths in tax and cost efficiency that resonate across the state's economic landscape.

Affordability and Tax Efficiency Lead

Alcona excels in affordability, with a cost score of 83.8 and median home values of just $157,500—among Michigan's most accessible. The county's tax score of 78.7 reflects an effective rate of just 0.839%, giving residents one of the state's lowest tax burdens.

Income Levels Lag Behind State

With a median household income of $53,568 and an income score of just 18.4, Alcona struggles to match state earnings trends. Limited data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors means a fuller livability picture remains to be developed.

Ideal for Budget-Conscious Retirees

Alcona suits households and retirees prioritizing low costs and minimal tax burden over high incomes, offering genuine affordability in a rural setting. Those seeking a tight-knit community with manageable housing and tax obligations will find strong value here.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax78.7Cost83.8SafetyComing SoonHealth71SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.4Risk82.3WaterComing Soon
🏛78.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡82.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Alcona County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Osceola County
Iowa
73.8
Median income: $69,138
Trego County
Kansas
73.8
Median income: $73,375
Caldwell County
Kentucky
73.8
Median income: $57,618
Clinton County
Kentucky
73.8
Median income: $42,168
Cumberland County
Kentucky
73.8
Median income: $39,662

Deep Dives

Alcona County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Alcona County

via TaxByCounty

Alcona's taxes rank low nationally

At 0.839%, Alcona's effective tax rate falls well below the national median of 1.1%, placing the county in the bottom 25% nationally for property tax burden. This means homeowners here pay significantly less than typical Americans—a substantial advantage in the current economic climate.

Among Michigan's most affordable counties

Alcona ranks among Michigan's lowest-tax counties, with an effective rate of 0.839% compared to the state average of 1.166%. The county's median tax of $1,322 sits $780 below Michigan's state average of $2,102.

Cheaper than most regional peers

Alcona's 0.839% rate beats nearby Alpena County (1.129%) and Arenac County (1.299%), making it one of northeastern Michigan's most tax-friendly options. Only Antrim County (0.914%) comes close in the region.

What your $157,500 home costs

The typical Alcona homeowner with a $157,500 property pays around $1,322 annually in property taxes. Over a 30-year mortgage, that's roughly $39,660—a modest burden compared to higher-tax regions.

Even low taxes warrant assessment review

Many Michigan homeowners, regardless of their county's tax rate, are overassessed relative to current market values. If your home's assessed value seems high compared to recent sales of similar properties, filing an appeal with your assessor costs nothing and could lower your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Alcona County

via CostByCounty

Alcona rents strain on modest incomes

Alcona County renters spend 17.7% of their income on rent, exceeding the national comfort threshold of 30% by a comfortable margin but running above the national median household income of $74,755 compared to Alcona's $53,568. While the rent burden seems manageable, local incomes lag significantly behind national averages, making housing costs feel heavier in practice.

Slightly above Michigan's affordability curve

At 17.7%, Alcona's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Michigan's state average of 16.3%, placing it in the middle tier of county affordability across the state. Median rent of $790 sits below the state median of $873, but lower local incomes push the ratio slightly higher.

Comparable to rural northern Michigan peers

Alcona's $790 monthly rent closely mirrors Alger County ($712) and Alpena County ($660), though Alcona households earn slightly less than Alger ($59,406). Among this cluster of northern counties, Alcona represents a middle ground for both costs and income.

Renting and owning both claim similar shares

Renters in Alcona pay $790 monthly while homeowners spend $686 on mortgage and insurance, with a median home value of $157,500. Combined, housing consumes roughly 18–20% of the median household income of $53,568, leaving modest room for other expenses.

Quiet northern living with steady housing costs

Alcona offers rural Michigan living at moderate prices—rents and homes remain affordable compared to state averages, though incomes are lower. If you work remotely or seek small-town stability, Alcona's stable rental market and sub-$200k home values reward careful budgeting.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Alcona County

via IncomeByCounty

Alcona lags behind national income

Alcona County's median household income of $53,568 sits $21,187 below the U.S. median of $74,755—a gap of 28%. This places the county in the lower income tier nationally, though it remains a stable community with roots in resource-based industries.

Below Michigan's county average

At $53,568, Alcona's median household income falls $10,736 short of Michigan's county average of $64,304. This positions Alcona in the lower-middle range among the state's 83 counties, reflecting economic challenges common to rural northern Michigan.

Comparable to nearby rural counties

Alcona's $53,568 median income aligns closely with Alpena County ($51,909) and Arenac County ($56,989), its neighboring rural communities. All three counties face similar employment and economic dynamics in Michigan's northeast corner.

Housing costs remain manageable here

Alcona's rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% means housing absorbs less than one-fifth of median household earnings, well within the 30% affordability threshold. With a median home value of $157,500, homeownership remains accessible for local wage earners.

Build savings despite modest income

Even with a median income below state averages, Alcona residents benefit from affordable housing that frees up dollars for savings and investment. Setting up automatic transfers to retirement accounts and exploring employer matches can help households build long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Alcona County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy lags national average

Alcona residents live to an average of 75.1 years, about 5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 80.1 years. With 18.5% of the population reporting poor or fair health, the county faces persistent health challenges that affect quality of life.

Below Michigan's health outcomes

At 75.1 years, Alcona's life expectancy falls short of Michigan's state average of 76.3 years. This gap reflects broader health disparities that place the county in the lower tier of Michigan's 83 counties.

Healthier than nearby counties

Alcona's 75.1-year life expectancy exceeds Arenac County (73.9 years) and Baraga County (74.9 years), though it trails Antrim County (78.8 years) and Alger County (78.9 years). The county's 7.1% uninsured rate is slightly higher than the state average of 6.4%.

Primary care access is limited

Alcona has 49 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below the national benchmark of 75 per 100,000. With 7.1% uninsured and mental health support at 143 providers per 100,000, residents face gaps in accessing routine preventive care.

Coverage options available now

If you're among the 7.1% uninsured in Alcona, federal and state health plans offer affordable coverage through the Michigan Health Insurance Marketplace. Visit healthcare.gov or your county health department to explore plans and potential subsidies today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Alcona County

via RiskByCounty

Alcona ranks well below national risk

Alcona County scores 17.75 on the composite disaster risk scale, earning a Very Low rating that sits well below the national average. This places the county in the safer tier for natural disaster exposure across all hazard types.

Among Michigan's safest counties

With a composite risk score of 17.75, Alcona ranks significantly below Michigan's state average of 49.56. The county's Very Low rating reflects below-average exposure to most major disaster hazards.

Safer than nearby Arenac County

Alcona's risk score of 17.75 compares favorably to neighboring Arenac County at 20.32 and Alpena County at 28.34. The county benefits from a more sheltered profile relative to its regional peers.

Flood and wildfire pose modest threats

Alcona's primary hazard concerns are flood risk at 41.32 and wildfire risk at 41.25, both still below state averages. Tornado risk stands at 20.74, making it the least of these three concerns for residents.

Standard homeowners coverage recommended

While Alcona carries low overall risk, flood damage is excluded from standard homeowners policies—consider separate flood insurance if your property sits near water. A basic homeowners policy remains essential for tornado and wind coverage.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.