countyscore
64.7
County Score
Disaster Risk 90.4Health 79.4Schools 78.3

County Report Card

About Alger County, Michigan

Leading the National Midpoint

Alger County achieves a composite score of 64.3, outperforming the national median of 50.0. Its overall profile suggests a robust balance of affordability and public well-being.

A Top Michigan Performer

Alger County ranks well above the Michigan state average composite score of 47.1. Its 64.3 rating highlights it as a standout choice for residents seeking a high quality of life in the region.

Exceptional Safety and Health

The county is remarkably resilient with a Risk Score of 90.4 and a Health Score of 79.4. A School Score of 78.3 further reinforces its status as a high-performing community for families.

Higher Tax and Lower Income

The local tax burden remains a hurdle, reflected in a Tax Score of 38.2 and an effective tax rate of 0.997%. Furthermore, the Income Score of 37.2 indicates that local earnings trail national benchmarks.

Perfect for Secure Family Living

Alger County is a premier destination for families who value safety, health, and quality schools. The median home value of $165,700 makes it an accessible option for those looking to build a stable life.

2040608010040.37261.479.478.337.890.444.949.4Tax40.3Cost72Safety61.4Health79.4Schools78.3Income37.8Risk90.4Water44.9Weather49.464.7/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Alger County DNA

D+overall

How Alger County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Alger County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (90.4/100) but notably weak in Income (37.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
40.3-11.700000000000003
Cost
72+24
Safety
61.4
Health
79.4+29.400000000000006
Schools
78.3+24.299999999999997
Income
37.8-13.200000000000003
Risk
90.4+43.400000000000006
Water
44.9-13.100000000000001
Weather
49.4
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Many homeowners in Alger County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$176,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$714/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$176,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$28,560/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $61,286/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

56.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Schoolcraft County
Michigan
55.8
Luce County
Michigan
53.3
Delta County
Michigan
49.7
Marquette County
Michigan
50.8
Dickinson County
Michigan
58.8
Menominee County
Michigan
55.6
Baraga County
Michigan
56.1
Mackinac County
Michigan
46.7

Deep Dives

Alger County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Alger County

via TaxByCounty

Alger taxes track near national average

At 0.997%, Alger County's effective tax rate is about 10% lower than the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the middle 40% nationally. The county's $1,652 median tax mirrors the lower tax burden across much of rural Michigan.

Below Michigan's average tax rate

Alger's 0.997% effective rate sits about 0.17 percentage points below Michigan's 1.166% average. At $1,652 in median annual taxes, residents pay $450 less than the state median of $2,102.

Moderate taxes in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Alger's 0.997% rate falls between Baraga County (1.339%) and Alcona County (0.839%) in the region's tax spectrum. Among upper peninsula counties, it represents a moderate tax burden.

What your $165,700 home costs

An Alger County homeowner with a $165,700 property pays approximately $1,652 annually in property taxes. That's roughly $49,560 over a 30-year mortgage—competitive with similar-sized Michigan communities.

Appeal could help even moderate assessments

Even in lower-tax counties, assessment errors happen; homes may be valued above comparable sales in the area. Michigan homeowners can file a free assessment appeal, and recent declines in home values mean reassessments may be overdue.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Alger County

via IncomeByCounty

Alger income trails national median

Alger County's median household income of $59,406 falls $15,349 short of the national median of $74,755—a 20% gap. The county's income level reflects employment patterns typical of rural Upper Peninsula communities with limited urban job centers.

Middle-of-the-road for Michigan

Alger's $59,406 median household income ranks slightly below Michigan's county average of $64,304, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. The county's per capita income of $28,250 slightly trails the state average of $35,451, indicating income distribution challenges.

Strongest earner among far-north counties

At $59,406, Alger County's median income exceeds Alpena ($51,909) and Arenac ($56,989), making it one of the better-performing counties in Michigan's northeastern region. This edge reflects its position as a regional hub in Marquette's economic orbit.

Low housing burden supports stability

Alger's rent-to-income ratio of 14.4% is among Michigan's lowest, meaning housing costs consume less than one-sixth of median income. With a median home value of $165,700, residents enjoy solid affordability and financial breathing room.

Leverage low housing costs for investing

Alger's exceptionally low rent-to-income ratio creates an opportunity to redirect housing savings into retirement and investment accounts. Building a diversified portfolio early can help local households overcome modest wage growth and plan for long-term prosperity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Alger County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional Safety Levels in Alger County

Alger County boasts a total crime rate of 891.0 per 100K, which is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This low incidence of crime results in a high safety score of 98.6. The community provides a level of security that far exceeds most areas across the country.

Outperforming Michigan State Averages

With a safety score of 98.6, Alger County is safer than the average Michigan county score of 97.8. Its total crime rate of 891.0 per 100K is well below the statewide average of 1,371.8. Local law enforcement maintains a high standard of public safety relative to state-wide trends.

Leading the Upper Peninsula in Safety

Alger County’s crime rate of 891.0 is slightly higher than neighboring Alcona's 840.0 but remains highly competitive for the region. It is notably safer than Baraga County when comparing violent crime averages across the UP. The county continues to be a regional leader in keeping crime rates consistently low.

Property Crimes Drive Local Statistics

The county records 688.0 property crimes per 100K, while violent crime sits at 203.0 per 100K. Both categories are significantly lower than national benchmarks of 2,015.7 for property and 369.8 for violent crime. Most local incidents involve low-level property offenses rather than serious personal threats.

Active Awareness for Home Protection

While crime is low, maintaining visible home security helps prevent opportunistic property crimes. Simple additions like motion-sensor lights or reliable locks can deter the few incidents that do occur. Staying vigilant helps preserve the peaceful nature of this Upper Peninsula community.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Alger County

via WeatherByCounty

Deep Snow and True Northern Cold

Alger County records an average annual temperature of 41.6°F, making it one of the colder locales in the United States. Its climate is defined by heavy lake-effect precipitation and a winter that lasts much longer than the national norm.

Among Michigan's Coldest Regions

With an annual average of 41.6°F, Alger County ranks well below the state average of 45.7°F. It represents the rugged climate of the Upper Peninsula, where annual precipitation of 35.9 inches slightly exceeds the state average.

Warmer Than Baraga, Equal to the UP

Alger’s 41.6°F average is slightly warmer than neighboring Baraga County at 40.2°F. However, it faces significantly more snowfall than many neighbors, driven by its unique positioning along the Lake Superior shoreline.

Massive Snowfall Defines the Year

Alger County endures a staggering 162.5 inches of annual snowfall, nearly four times the state average. July remains cool with an average of 64.6°F, and the county typically sees only 3 days of extreme heat per year.

Heavy Equipment is a Requirement

A professional-grade snowblower is essential for managing the 162.5 inches of annual snow. Homeowners can likely skip central air conditioning, as the summer average stays a comfortable 62.7°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Alger County

via SoilByCounty

The Most Acidic Soils in the Region

Alger County features an average pH of 4.57, which is among the lowest in the state and far below the national 6.5 median. This sandy soil is highly acidic, making it a unique environment for specialized native plants. Managing this acidity is the first step for any prospective local gardener.

A Unique Sand and Silt Mix

The soil composition is primarily sand and silt, with a very low clay content of just 1.2%. This creates a loose, workable structure that provides excellent root aeration. However, the lack of clay means the soil has very little natural 'glue' to hold onto minerals.

Explosive Organic Matter Levels

Alger County boasts a staggering 56.92% organic matter, nearly triple the Michigan state average of 19.76%. This high organic content drives a superior available water capacity of 0.371 in/in, which is nearly double the state benchmark. This soil acts like a sponge, effectively counteracting its low clay content.

Excellent Infiltration via Group A

Classified in Hydrologic Group A, these soils allow water to infiltrate very rapidly. This high permeability minimizes runoff and erosion, though it can lead to nutrient leaching in heavy rains. Drainage class data is limited, but the hydrologic group suggests a very well-drained profile.

Blueberries and Bog Plants Rejoice

The cold climate of Zone 5a combined with extremely acidic, organic soil is perfect for acid-loving crops like blueberries, cranberries, and azaleas. Your garden has a massive head start on moisture retention thanks to that high organic matter. Embrace the unique chemistry of Alger County to grow a lush, northern landscape.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Alger County

via LawnByCounty

Alger matches Michigan's high lawn standards

Alger County achieves a 60.0 lawn difficulty score, perfectly aligning with the Michigan state average. This Hardiness Zone 5a region offers significantly easier growing conditions than the national median of 50.0.

Abundant rainfall supports healthy green turf

The county receives 35.9 inches of annual precipitation, surpassing both the state average and the national ideal. With only 3 extreme heat days annually, the 1,614 growing degree days provide a gentle environment for cool-season grasses.

Sandy soil needs pH correction

The soil is exceptionally acidic with a pH of 4.57, well below the ideal 6.0 threshold for grass. Because the texture is primarily sand with only 1.2% clay, homeowners must add organic matter to improve nutrient retention and moisture holding capacity.

Excellent hydration with zero drought weeks

Alger County recorded zero weeks in drought over the past year, making it one of the most resilient regions in the state. No part of the county currently reports even abnormal dryness, allowing for a relaxed watering schedule compared to neighboring areas.

Short growing season requires timing

A short season means timing is everything; the last spring frost typically hits May 27th. Cold-hardy Fine Fescue or Perennial Ryegrass are excellent choices for these conditions before the fall frost arrives on October 10th.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Alger County's county score?
Alger County, Michigan has a composite county score of 64.7 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Alger County rank among counties in Michigan?
Alger County ranks #3 among all counties in Michigan on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Alger County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Alger County is $1,656, with an effective tax rate of 0.94%. This earns Alger County a tax score of 40.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Alger County?
The median household income in Alger County, Michigan is $61,286 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Alger County earns an income score of 37.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Alger County, Michigan a good place to live?
Alger County scores 64.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #3 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Alger County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Alger County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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