CountyScore

Allegan County

Michigan · MI

#59 in Michigan
66.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Allegan County, Michigan

Allegan Exceeds National Median Solidly

Allegan County's composite score of 67.2 sits 34% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 64th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates solid livability fundamentals despite slightly trailing Michigan's state average.

Slightly Below Michigan Average

At 67.2, Allegan's composite score falls just 1.5 points below Michigan's state average of 68.7, keeping it in the middle-upper range of the state's counties. The county's profile reflects a balanced, suburban-rural mix typical of southwest Michigan.

Higher Incomes Support Solid Living

Allegan's income score of 35.8 leads this county group with a median household income of $80,255, reflecting stronger economic opportunity than its peers. This higher earning capacity enables residents to afford the county's elevated home values ($247,000 median) more comfortably.

Housing Costs Rise Steeply Here

With median rents at $1,065/month and home values approaching a quarter million, Allegan's cost score of 72.6 is the lowest in this group. The effective tax rate of 1.133% is also the highest, pressuring household budgets despite income advantages.

Suits Families with Above-Average Incomes

Allegan works best for established families and professionals earning near or above the $80,000 median who value suburban amenities and economic stability. Those seeking affordable rural living should look elsewhere, but mid-career professionals will find reasonable value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.4Cost72.6SafetyComing SoonHealth76.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome35.8Risk31.5WaterComing Soon
🏛70.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠72.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡31.5
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 Allegan County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Broomfield County
Colorado
66.6
Median income: $121,025
Pueblo County
Colorado
66.6
Median income: $62,250
Coffee County
Georgia
66.6
Median income: $50,175
Wayne County
Georgia
66.6
Median income: $49,562
Tippecanoe County
Indiana
66.6
Median income: $58,622

Deep Dives

Allegan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Allegan County

via TaxByCounty

Allegan taxes slightly above national median

Allegan County's 1.133% effective tax rate sits just above the national median of 1.1%, placing it near the 55th percentile nationally. At $2,799 in annual median taxes, the county's burden is roughly $100 above the national median of $2,690.

Close to Michigan's statewide average

Allegan's 1.133% rate closely tracks Michigan's 1.166% average, placing the county right in the middle of the state's 83 counties. The median tax of $2,799 edges slightly above the state median of $2,102.

Comparable to nearby Barry County

Allegan and Barry County, both in southwest Michigan, share nearly identical tax rates—1.133% and 1.110% respectively—making them among the region's most similar jurisdictions. Both counties sit at or slightly above the state average.

What your $247,000 home costs

The typical Allegan County homeowner with a $247,000 property pays roughly $2,799 annually in taxes. Over 30 years, that mortgage-era bill adds up to approximately $83,970.

Growing suburbs mean reassessment opportunities

As Allegan County develops, some older assessments may lag behind rising property values, but others may overestimate market worth. Homeowners should compare their assessed value to recent arm's-length sales of similar homes; an appeal is free and often successful.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Allegan County

via CostByCounty

Allegan balances higher incomes with costs

Allegan County renters spend 15.9% of income on housing, well below the 30% affordability threshold and slightly below Michigan's 16.3% average. With a median household income of $80,255—above both Michigan and the nation—Allegan ranks as one of the few counties in this cohort that exceeds national income levels.

Highest incomes drive strong affordability ranking

Allegan County's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below Michigan's 16.3% average, anchored by the region's median household income of $80,255, the highest in this eight-county sample. Both rental and owner costs exceed state medians, yet stronger local incomes absorb these premiums with ease.

Premium pricing supported by premium incomes

Allegan's $1,065 monthly rent and $247,000 median home value run 20–30% above neighboring Alpena and Antrim counties, yet Allegan households earn $8,000–9,000 more annually. This income advantage transforms potentially costly housing into genuinely affordable living.

Housing claims moderate but steady share

Renters pay $1,065 monthly while homeowners spend $1,082, with homes valued at $247,000 and median household income at $80,255. Together, housing consumes roughly 16% of income whether renting or owning, a sustainable proportion for most households.

Southwest Michigan's prosperity county

Allegan County offers the rare combination of strong local income and manageable housing costs—a sign of economic stability and job market health. Families relocating for work or seeking suburban comfort will find their higher incomes go a long way here.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Allegan County

via IncomeByCounty

Allegan surpasses national income average

Allegan County's median household income of $80,255 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $5,500—placing it solidly above the national benchmark. This 7% advantage reflects the county's proximity to growing job markets and diversified regional economy.

Among Michigan's top-earning counties

At $80,255, Allegan ranks well above Michigan's county average of $64,304, sitting in the top quarter of the state's 83 counties. The county's per capita income of $37,565 also exceeds the state average of $35,451, indicating broadly shared prosperity.

Clear income leader in region

Allegan's $80,255 median income significantly outpaces Barry County ($77,873), Antrim County ($71,421), and other surrounding counties. This strength reflects its position within Michigan's southwest economic corridor, with ties to manufacturing and services.

Housing affordable despite higher values

Allegan's rent-to-income ratio of 15.9% keeps housing costs well below the 30% affordability threshold, even though median home values reach $247,000. The county's strong median income allows residents to carry mortgages comfortably.

Above-average income enables serious investing

With income above both state and national averages, Allegan households have surplus cash to accelerate retirement savings and investment. Take advantage of this position by maxing out 401(k) contributions, diversifying investments, and planning for generational wealth transfer.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Allegan County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy strong and stable

Allegan residents live to 77.5 years, approaching the U.S. average of 80.1 years and demonstrating good longevity trends. With only 15.7% reporting poor or fair health, the county maintains better-than-average population wellness.

Above Michigan's average health

Allegan's 77.5-year life expectancy exceeds Michigan's state average of 76.3 years by 1.2 years. The county ranks solidly in the upper half of Michigan's health outcomes.

Comparable to nearby counties

Allegan's 77.5-year life expectancy places it between Barry County (77.9 years) and Alpena County (77.0 years). Its 5.7% uninsured rate is better than the state average of 6.4%.

Mental health strength, primary care gap

Allegan has only 21 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well below the national standard of 75 per 100,000. However, 108 mental health providers per 100,000 and a 5.7% uninsured rate indicate reasonable behavioral health support and overall coverage strength.

Expand primary care access

With limited primary care providers, ensuring you have active health insurance and a regular care team is essential in Allegan. Check healthcare.gov to confirm your coverage or explore plans that include established primary care networks.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Allegan County

via RiskByCounty

Allegan exceeds national risk average

Allegan County scores 68.51 on the composite risk scale, exceeding the national average and carrying a Relatively Low rating. The county faces above-average exposure, particularly in flood and tornado hazards.

Significantly riskier than Michigan average

Allegan's composite risk score of 68.51 substantially exceeds Michigan's state average of 49.56, ranking the county among the state's higher-risk jurisdictions. Tornado and flood hazards drive much of this elevated exposure.

Highest risk in its immediate region

Allegan scores 68.51, substantially exceeding Barry County at 45.99 and well above Alpena at 28.34. The county's southwestern location and geography create heightened disaster vulnerability.

Tornadoes and floods dominate hazards

Allegan faces tornado risk of 76.27 and flood risk of 79.36—both among the highest in Michigan. Earthquake risk at 48.16 also exceeds state averages, adding a third significant concern.

Comprehensive coverage strongly advised

Allegan residents should prioritize flood insurance, as the county's flood risk of 79.36 far exceeds the state average. A robust homeowners policy with adequate wind and tornado coverage is essential given the 76.27 tornado risk score.

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.