Calhoun County's composite score of 64.1 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 28%, placing it in the upper-middle spectrum of U.S. counties. This above-average standing reflects particular strength in housing affordability relative to national norms. Calhoun performs better than typical American counties on composite livability measures.
2 / 5
Below Michigan's Competitive Average
Calhoun County scores 64.1 compared to Michigan's 68.7 state average, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. While performing above the national baseline, Calhoun trails most other Michigan counties. Residents should recognize that better options exist within Michigan's relatively strong livability landscape.
3 / 5
Strong Housing Affordability Value
Calhoun County delivers a Cost Score of 77.5 with median home values of $151,500 and monthly rents of $937, making it one of Michigan's most affordable housing markets. This affordability advantage appeals directly to first-time buyers and families with limited down payments. Low housing costs provide meaningful financial breathing room for household budgets.
4 / 5
Weakest Income Levels and Limited Data
Calhoun County's Income Score of 22.8—among Michigan's lowest—reflects a median household income of $60,385 with limited local high-wage opportunities. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environment prevent comprehensive livability assessment. Job seekers and ambitious professionals should carefully evaluate local economic prospects.
5 / 5
Suited for Cost-Conscious Pragmatists
Calhoun County works best for retirees, remote workers, and established families prioritizing affordable housing and manageable taxes over robust local earning potential. Its value proposition targets those with stable income sources independent of local employment. Calhoun offers maximum stretch for housing-first budget priorities.
Calhoun County's composite score of 64.1 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 28%, placing it in the upper-middle spectrum of U.S. counties. This above-average standing reflects particular strength in housing affordability relative to national norms. Calhoun performs better than typical American counties on composite livability measures.
Below Michigan's Competitive Average
Calhoun County scores 64.1 compared to Michigan's 68.7 state average, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. While performing above the national baseline, Calhoun trails most other Michigan counties. Residents should recognize that better options exist within Michigan's relatively strong livability landscape.
Strong Housing Affordability Value
Calhoun County delivers a Cost Score of 77.5 with median home values of $151,500 and monthly rents of $937, making it one of Michigan's most affordable housing markets. This affordability advantage appeals directly to first-time buyers and families with limited down payments. Low housing costs provide meaningful financial breathing room for household budgets.
Weakest Income Levels and Limited Data
Calhoun County's Income Score of 22.8—among Michigan's lowest—reflects a median household income of $60,385 with limited local high-wage opportunities. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environment prevent comprehensive livability assessment. Job seekers and ambitious professionals should carefully evaluate local economic prospects.
Suited for Cost-Conscious Pragmatists
Calhoun County works best for retirees, remote workers, and established families prioritizing affordable housing and manageable taxes over robust local earning potential. Its value proposition targets those with stable income sources independent of local employment. Calhoun offers maximum stretch for housing-first budget priorities.
Score breakdown
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🏛60.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Calhoun County's effective tax rate of 1.498% significantly exceeds the national median of 1.09%, placing it in roughly the 70th percentile nationally. The median annual tax of $2,269 sits below the national median of $2,690 due to the county's median home value of $151,500 being substantially lower than the national average of $281,900.
Second-highest rate in Michigan
Calhoun County ranks second in Michigan for tax burden with an effective rate of 1.498%, nearly 30% above the state average of 1.166%. Only Bay County (1.632%) exceeds it, making Calhoun one of the state's most heavily taxed counties.
Far exceeds surrounding counties
Calhoun County's 1.498% rate substantially outpaces nearby Branch (1.229%) and Cass (0.961%) counties in the Southwest. Among the eight-county sample, only Bay County surpasses it in effective tax rate.
What your home tax bill looks like
On Calhoun County's median home value of $151,500, the 1.498% rate translates to approximately $2,269 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,434, while those without mortgages pay $1,962.
Consider appealing your assessment
High-tax counties like Calhoun see significant overassessments, and homeowners should seriously consider filing an appeal. The process costs nothing and typically runs March through June in Michigan—potentially saving hundreds annually.
Renters in Calhoun County dedicate 18.6% of income to housing—the highest ratio among Michigan's surveyed counties and well above the state average of 16.3%. At $937 monthly rent on a $60,385 median income, Calhoun residents face the steepest affordability challenge in this regional cohort.
Michigan's Most Strained Rental Market
Calhoun County's 18.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks worst among the eight counties analyzed, reflecting both modest incomes ($60,385) and above-average rents ($937). This combination signals acute housing stress, warranting policy attention and personal budget flexibility for renters here.
Highest Burden, Mid-Range Costs
Calhoun's $937 rent trails only Benzie ($974) and Berrien ($923) by absolute cost, yet its 18.6% burden exceeds all peers—including higher-income Benzie (16.1%). This mismatch stems from Calhoun's lower median income, making housing proportionally less affordable despite moderate nominal rents.
Rent Dominates Calhoun Budgets
Calhoun renters allocate $937 monthly (18.6% of income) while homeowners spend $918 (18.2%), revealing nearly equal burden across tenure types. At a $151,500 median home value, ownership offers minimal savings and requires accumulated capital most renters struggle to amass.
Calhoun Tests Financial Resilience
Calhoun County demands rigorous budget discipline—its 18.6% rent burden is the region's highest, consuming substantial income for renters earning ~$60,000. If relocating, compare Calhoun against Bay ($809/16%) or Cass ($870/15.3%) to quantify potential savings; moving may unlock $100+ in monthly relief.
Calhoun County's median household income of $60,385 falls $14,370 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, a 19% gap. This represents one of the steeper deficits compared to national benchmarks.
Well below Michigan county median
At $60,385, Calhoun County trails Michigan's county median of $64,304 by almost 6%. This places Calhoun in Michigan's lower income tier among the state's 83 counties.
Calhoun is the region's lowest earner
Calhoun County's $60,385 falls below all measured neighbors, with nearest peer Branch County at $61,958. This positions Calhoun as the lowest-earning county in Southwest Michigan's peer group.
Housing costs strain budgets significantly
Calhoun County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.6% is the highest among all measured counties, consuming nearly one-fifth of household income. Combined with below-average earnings, this creates serious affordability pressure on residents.
Focus on financial foundations first
Calhoun County households earning $60,385 should prioritize emergency savings and debt reduction before investing, given tight housing pressures. Free financial counseling services and community resources can help build long-term stability.
At 73.6 years, Calhoun County's life expectancy ranks among Michigan's lowest and falls 5.3 years behind the U.S. average of 78.9 years—a dramatic gap reflecting severe underlying health challenges. Nearly one in five residents (18.9%) report poor or fair health, significantly exceeding the national average of 15% and indicating widespread chronic disease.
Calhoun's health crisis demands attention
Calhoun County's life expectancy of 73.6 years represents a 2.7-year deficit compared to Michigan's average of 76.3 years, placing it among the state's most health-challenged counties. The county's 18.9% poor/fair health rate is the highest among these eight counties, signaling concentrated disadvantage and urgent health intervention needs.
Calhoun significantly underperforms peers
Calhoun's 73.6-year life expectancy lags all comparable counties by wide margins—2.5 years behind Branch (76.1) and 4.4 years behind Charlevoix (78.0). Despite offering 402 mental health providers per 100K (the highest among peers), the county's overall health outcomes suggest systemic barriers beyond provider availability.
Strong mental health infrastructure, fragmented care
Calhoun County provides 402 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—the highest capacity in this region—yet life expectancy and poor health rates suggest disconnected physical and behavioral health systems. With 58 primary care providers per 100K, the county offers moderate primary care access, but structural factors and health disparities likely amplify disease burden.
Access comprehensive care today
Calhoun County's 6.2% uninsured rate represents important coverage, but the county's health crisis requires urgent engagement with preventive and integrated care services. Contact Calhoun Community Health or visit healthcare.gov to ensure comprehensive coverage and explore free preventive screenings and chronic disease management programs.
Calhoun County's composite risk score of 74.52 places it well above the national average, earning a Relatively Low rating despite significant tornado and earthquake hazards. The score reflects notable exposure that demands serious preparedness from residents and business owners. This above-average positioning makes Calhoun one of Michigan's more hazard-prone counties.
Higher Risk Than Michigan Average
At 74.52, Calhoun County's composite risk significantly exceeds Michigan's state average of 49.56, making it one of the state's more hazardous counties. The county ranks in the upper tier of Michigan's risk spectrum. This elevated exposure reflects particular vulnerability to tornadoes and seismic activity.
Highest-Risk County in Its Group
Calhoun County (74.52) exceeds neighboring Branch County (51.81) and Cass County (47.71) in overall composite risk, making it the most hazard-prone county in south-central Michigan. The county ranks close to Berrien County (81.71) in risk levels. This regional positioning reflects Calhoun's particular vulnerability to severe weather.
Tornado Risk Dominates
Tornado risk reaches 88.33 in Calhoun County—the highest tornado hazard of any assessed Michigan county in this dataset—making severe convective storms the primary natural disaster threat. Earthquake risk (66.60) presents a secondary but substantial concern for the county. Together, these two hazards drive Calhoun's elevated composite risk profile.
Prioritize Storm Shelters
Given the exceptional tornado risk, immediately establish a safe room in your basement or interior bathroom on the lowest floor of your home, reinforced if possible. Maintain a weather alert radio and review your tornado emergency plan with family at least twice yearly. Purchase comprehensive homeowners insurance including wind and hail coverage, and verify that your policy limits reflect current home replacement costs.