countyscore
56.1
County Score
Disaster Risk 89.4Cost of Living 82.5Safety 67.3

County Report Card

About Baraga County, Michigan

Surpassing the National Median

Baraga County holds a composite score of 55.7, which is notably higher than the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a mix of high affordability and strong community safety.

Above the Michigan Curve

The county’s score of 55.7 easily clears the Michigan average of 47.1. It performs well within the state, particularly regarding the price of homeownership and general safety.

Superior Affordability and Safety

The county is highly affordable with a Cost Score of 82.3 and median gross rent at only $557. It also scores highly in Safety (67.3) and environmental Risk (89.4).

Significant Infrastructure Concerns

The Water Score is notably low at 12.9, suggesting critical issues with local water quality. Additionally, the Tax Score of 19.3 indicates one of the higher tax burdens in the region.

A Budget-Friendly Safety Haven

Baraga County is perfect for those seeking a safe, small-town atmosphere with a very low cost of entry. Prospective residents should investigate water quality, but the $124,400 median home value remains a major draw.

2040608010022.882.567.361.7462289.412.949.8Tax22.8Cost82.5Safety67.3Health61.7Schools46Income22Risk89.4Water12.9Weather49.856.1/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Baraga County DNA

Foverall

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

Baraga County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (89.4/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (12.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
22.8-29.2
Cost
82.5+34.5
Safety
67.3+12.299999999999997
Health
61.7+11.700000000000003
Schools
46-8
Income
22-29
Risk
89.4+42.400000000000006
Water
12.9-45.1
Weather
49.8
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Baraga County?

Many homeowners in Baraga 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

$138,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$616/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$138,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$24,640/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $55,327/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

48.5

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

Houghton County
Michigan
54
Marquette County
Michigan
50.8
Ontonagon County
Michigan
63.6
Iron County
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Keweenaw County
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Florence County
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Dickinson County
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Vilas County
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Deep Dives

Baraga County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Baraga County

via TaxByCounty

Baraga has among nation's highest rates

At 1.339%, Baraga's effective tax rate ranks in the 75th percentile nationally, well above the 1.1% median. This places Baraga among the highest-tax counties in America, despite lower-than-average home values.

Michigan's highest-tax county

Baraga's 1.339% effective rate is the highest among Michigan's 83 counties, exceeding the state average of 1.166% by 0.17 percentage points. The median annual tax of $1,666 reflects the county's particularly high millage rates.

Significantly higher than regional peers

Baraga's 1.339% far exceeds all neighboring Michigan counties, including Arenac (1.299%), Alpena (1.129%), and Alcona (0.839%). The county stands apart as the upper peninsula's most tax-burdened community.

What your $124,400 home costs

A Baraga County homeowner with a $124,400 property pays roughly $1,666 annually in taxes—the highest per-capita burden in Michigan. Over 30 years, that totals approximately $49,980.

Assessment appeals critical in high-tax counties

High tax rates make Baraga homeowners especially vulnerable to overassessments; even small reductions yield substantial savings. Compare your assessed value to recent arm's-length sales immediately—a successful appeal could reduce your annual bill by hundreds of dollars.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Baraga County

via IncomeByCounty

Baraga income well below national benchmark

Baraga County's median household income of $55,117 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $19,638—a substantial 26% gap. The county's lower income reflects its isolated Upper Peninsula location and limited employment diversity.

Lower tier among Michigan counties

At $55,117, Baraga ranks notably below Michigan's county average of $64,304, placing it among the state's lower-income communities. Its per capita income of $28,904 is also below the state average of $35,451.

Comparable to other remote UP counties

Baraga's $55,117 median income mirrors Alger County ($59,406) and other isolated Upper Peninsula communities, reflecting shared employment and geographic challenges. Transportation costs and limited job options shape the regional income picture.

Exceptional housing affordability

Baraga's rent-to-income ratio of 12.1% is among Michigan's lowest, and its median home value of $124,400 is exceptionally affordable. This housing advantage provides crucial financial stability for lower-wage households.

Build wealth through disciplined saving

Baraga's remarkable housing affordability—the county's best advantage—creates opportunity to prioritize emergency savings and retirement accounts. Even modest monthly contributions to a 401(k) or IRA compound significantly over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Baraga County

via CrimeByCounty

Baraga County Ranks Highly in National Safety

Baraga County features a total crime rate of 764.1 per 100K, which is three times lower than the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns an exceptional safety score of 98.8. It is one of the most secure counties in the country.

Exceptional Safety Within Michigan

Baraga’s safety score of 98.8 is among the best in Michigan, far exceeding the state average of 97.8. Its total crime rate of 764.1 is roughly half the statewide average of 1,371.8. This county is a standout performer for public safety in the state.

Leading the Way in the Upper Peninsula

Baraga’s total crime rate of 764.1 is lower than Alger County’s 891.0 and Alcona’s 840.0. It is a regional leader in maintaining low crime levels for the Upper Peninsula. Residents benefit from some of the lowest crime statistics in the entire region.

Very Low Property Crime Rates

Property crime in Baraga is exceptionally low at 473.0 per 100K, compared to the national 2,015.7. The violent crime rate is 291.1, which is also below the national average of 369.8. Most of the county’s safety comes from its incredibly low theft and burglary rates.

Simple Habits for Continued Safety

Even in an exceptionally safe county like Baraga, locking doors and using outdoor lights is good practice. Property crime is low, but visible deterrents help ensure it stays that way. Your awareness contributes to the overall safety of the neighborhood.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Baraga County

via WeatherByCounty

One of the Coldest in the Lower 48

Baraga County is a true cold-weather outlier with an average annual temperature of only 40.2°F. This is more than 13 degrees colder than the national median, placing it among the most frigid populated areas in the country.

Michigan's Frigid Northern Edge

At 40.2°F, Baraga is significantly colder than the Michigan state average of 45.7°F. It experiences intense winters with an average January temperature of just 13.5°F, driven by arctic air masses and Lake Superior's influence.

Colder Than Neighboring Alger

Baraga is cooler than its neighbor Alger County (41.6°F) and experiences similar extreme snowfall. Both counties are defined by their isolation from the moderating effects found in the Lower Peninsula.

Winter Dominates the Calendar

The county is buried under 164.6 inches of snow annually, while extreme heat is almost non-existent with only 2 days reaching 90°F. Summer is fleeting, with a seasonal average of only 63.1°F.

Extreme Winter Readiness is Key

Winter survival requires specialized gear and vehicles equipped for 164 inches of snow. Heating systems are the primary household concern, as the average winter temperature drops to 16.2°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Baraga County

via SoilByCounty

Very Acidic Upper Peninsula Soil

Baraga County features an average pH of 4.26, significantly more acidic than both the state average and the national median of 6.5. This low pH is typical of northern forest soils and influences what can grow without intervention. Gardeners will likely need to apply lime to bring the pH up for most food crops.

Silt-Heavy Texture for Fine Pores

Unlike many sandy Michigan counties, Baraga is 70.9% silt, giving it a much finer, almost flour-like texture. This is balanced by 19.5% sand and a low 5.5% clay content. This silty composition can feel smooth to the touch and offers unique water-retention properties.

Extreme Organic Matter and Water Storage

The organic matter in Baraga is an impressive 55.10%, more than double the state average of 19.76%. This translates to a very high available water capacity of 0.393 in/in, nearly double the state benchmark. This soil is naturally structured to hold vast amounts of moisture for plant use.

Excessive Drainage Despite Silt

The soil is classified as 'Excessively drained' and falls into Hydrologic Group A. Even with the high silt and organic matter, water moves through this profile very quickly. This combination is rare and provides a unique environment that stays moist but never waterlogged.

Zone 5a Gardening with Native Power

Baraga's Zone 5a climate and silty, organic soil are ideal for cool-season greens and berries. The high water capacity means you can skip the hose more often during the short, bright summer. Start a garden and watch how the rich organic profile supports a lush landscape.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Baraga County

via LawnByCounty

Cooler Baraga makes for easier maintenance

Baraga County scores a 57.5 on the lawn difficulty scale, beating the national average despite the challenges of Hardiness Zone 5a. The cooler climate reduces many common pests and heat-related stresses found elsewhere.

Very few heat days protect turf

The county sees only 2 extreme heat days per year, the lowest in this group, which keeps cool-season grass lush. Precipitation is healthy at 33.1 inches, perfectly supporting the 1,663 growing degree days.

Excessive drainage requires careful watering

The soil is classified as excessively drained, meaning it loses moisture rapidly despite the low 19.5% sand content. With a very acidic pH of 4.26, homeowners should apply lime to prevent moss from outcompeting the grass.

Moisture is plentiful in Baraga

Baraga recorded zero weeks in drought over the last year, and currently, the entire county is drought-free. This abundance of natural moisture is a massive advantage for maintaining a green lawn without high utility bills.

Plant during the brief summer

The growing season is short, starting after the May 25th frost and ending by September 25th. Stick with cold-tolerant species like Fine Fescue that can handle the long, cold winters of the Upper Peninsula.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Baraga County's county score?
Baraga County, Michigan has a composite county score of 56.1 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 Baraga County rank among counties in Michigan?
Baraga County ranks #10 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 Baraga County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Baraga County is $1,679, with an effective tax rate of 1.22%. This earns Baraga County a tax score of 22.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Baraga County?
The median household income in Baraga County, Michigan is $55,327 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Baraga County earns an income score of 22/100 on CountyScore.
Is Baraga County, Michigan a good place to live?
Baraga County scores 56.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #10 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Baraga 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 Baraga 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.