countyscore
55.9
County Score
Water Quality 86Health 79.3Disaster Risk 77.7

County Report Card

About Charlevoix County, Michigan

Charlevoix County leads national rankings

Charlevoix County boasts a composite score of 55.2, comfortably exceeding the national median of 50.0. This puts the county in the upper echelon of livability across the United States.

A premier Michigan destination

With a score of 55.2, Charlevoix sits well above the Michigan state average of 47.1. It ranks as one of the most desirable counties in the state, fueled by exceptional environmental and economic data.

Exceptional water and high incomes

The county achieves an elite water score of 86.0 and an income score of 79.3. High household incomes of $76,495 and a health score of 79.3 create a high-functioning community with excellent resources.

Affordability is the main hurdle

The cost score of 31.3 is the county's lowest mark, driven by a median home value of $242,800. While taxes are moderate, the entry price for housing remains higher than much of the rest of the state.

Perfect for affluent families and retirees

Charlevoix County is a top-tier choice for those who can afford the higher housing costs. It offers a safe, healthy, and economically vibrant lifestyle that few other Michigan counties can match.

2040608010043.132.466.179.345.576.377.78651Tax43.1Cost32.4Safety66.1Health79.3Schools45.5Income76.3Risk77.7Water86Weather5155.9/100
This county
National avg
5 above average1 below average

Charlevoix County DNA

Foverall

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

Charlevoix County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (77.7/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (32.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
43.1-8.899999999999999
Cost
32.4-15.600000000000001
Safety
66.1+11.099999999999994
Health
79.3+29.299999999999997
Schools
45.5-8.5
Income
76.3+25.299999999999997
Risk
77.7+30.700000000000003
Water
86+28
Weather
51
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Compare mortgage rates in Charlevoix County

Whether buying or refinancing in Charlevoix County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$276,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$949/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$276,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$37,960/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $76,531/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.1

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
Compare Charlevoix County with Covington County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Emmet County
Michigan
55.5
Antrim County
Michigan
55.5
Cheboygan County
Michigan
52.8
Otsego County
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50
Leelanau County
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Mackinac County
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46.7
Grand Traverse County
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Deep Dives

Charlevoix County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Charlevoix County

via TaxByCounty

Charlevoix County taxes below national median

Charlevoix County's effective tax rate of 0.992% sits comfortably below the national median of 1.09%, placing it in roughly the 45th percentile nationally. The median annual tax of $2,408 falls below the national median of $2,690, supported by a median home value of $242,800.

Low-tax county by Michigan standards

Charlevoix County's 0.992% rate ranks well below Michigan's state average of 1.166%, making it one of the state's more affordable tax environments. The median annual tax of $2,408 exceeds Michigan's median of $2,102 due to higher home values, but the rate itself remains favorable.

Moderately taxed in Northwest Michigan

Charlevoix County's 0.992% rate falls between Benzie (0.833%) and Cheboygan (0.927%), making it a middle option in the popular Northern Michigan region. It significantly undercuts Bay (1.632%) and Calhoun (1.498%) counties.

What your home tax bill looks like

On Charlevoix County's median home value of $242,800, the 0.992% rate translates to approximately $2,408 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,430, while those without mortgages pay $2,374.

Consider appealing your assessment

Charlevoix County homeowners should still verify that their assessments reflect current market values. Filing an appeal during Michigan's March-June window costs nothing and could provide meaningful savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Charlevoix County

via IncomeByCounty

Charlevoix County meets national income

Charlevoix County's median household income of $76,495 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $1,740. This positions Charlevoix above national benchmarks and among the country's stronger earners.

Well above Michigan average

At $76,495, Charlevoix County outpaces Michigan's county median of $64,304 by over $12,000, or 19%. This substantial lead places Charlevoix among Michigan's top-earning counties.

Charlevoix leads northern Michigan

Charlevoix County's $76,495 is the highest among all measured northern and regional counties, exceeding Benzie County ($72,603) by over $3,800. This leadership reflects Charlevoix's strong regional economic position.

Premium housing matched by premium income

Although Charlevoix's median home value of $242,800 is among the highest measured, the rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% remains the lowest of all counties. Strong income-to-cost alignment allows households genuine financial flexibility.

Maximum wealth-building opportunity

Charlevoix County households earning $76,495 with the lowest housing-cost burden of any measured county enjoy ideal conditions for aggressive wealth building. Diversified investments, retirement maximization, and wealth transfers become genuinely accessible.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Charlevoix County

via CrimeByCounty

Charlevoix County Ranks Among the Safest

With a total crime rate of 794.7 per 100,000, Charlevoix is one of the safest counties in the nation. Its safety score of 98.7 far outshines the national average.

Leading the State in Public Safety

Charlevoix County’s safety score of 98.7 easily beats the Michigan average of 97.8. Its crime rate is nearly half the state average of 1,371.8 per 100,000 residents.

Consistent Low Crime in Northern Michigan

Charlevoix shares a similarly low crime profile with Benzie County, both seeing under 850 incidents per 100,000. It is significantly safer than southern counties like Branch or Bay.

Low Risk Across All Crime Categories

Violent crime is quite low at 225.4 per 100,000, and property crime is remarkably low at 569.3. These figures are a fraction of the national property crime rate of 2,015.7.

Maintain the County’s High Safety Standards

Even in such a safe area, basic home security like motion sensors is a wise precaution. These tools help ensure that Charlevoix remains a low-crime leader in Michigan.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Charlevoix County

via WeatherByCounty

A True Northern Michigan Climate

Charlevoix County averages 45.7°F annually, placing it nearly 10 degrees below the national median. This region is defined by its dramatic winter transformation and cool lakeside summers.

Perfectly Matching the Michigan Average

The county's 45.7°F average temperature matches the state mean exactly. However, its 111.4 inches of snow is vastly higher than many other Michigan counties.

A Leader in Annual Snowfall

With 111.4 inches of snow, Charlevoix is one of the snowiest places in the Lower Peninsula. It receives nearly 20 inches more snow than neighboring Benzie County.

Cold Winters and Mild Summers

Winter temperatures average a chilly 24.3°F, while summers are brief with a 66.9°F average. Despite the northern location, it still reaches 90°F about 8 times per year.

Prepare for Intense Winter Maintenance

Residents require heavy-duty snowblowers or plowing services to manage 9 feet of snow. Structural roof checks are recommended due to the heavy snow loads typical of this region.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Charlevoix County

via SoilByCounty

Classic Spodosols of the North

Charlevoix County’s soil belongs to the Spodosol order, typical of forested northern regions, with an average pH of 5.24. This acidity is standard for Michigan and supports a soil score of 53.8. These soils are historically significant for their distinct layers and cool-climate development.

Gravelly Sand for Superior Drainage

The dominant texture is gravelly sand, consisting of 60.6% sand and 10.9% clay. This coarse mix means the soil doesn't get compacted easily and provides plenty of air to plant roots. Silt accounts for 20.4%, adding a fine-grained component to the rocky base.

Exceptional Organic Matter Levels

The organic matter content is a high 15.32%, providing a deep well of nutrients for local flora. Its available water capacity of 0.167 in/in is modest, meaning the soil can dry out if not monitored. This profile is excellent for native plants and specialized agriculture.

Excessively Drained and High-Flow Soils

These soils are classified as 'somewhat excessively drained' and belong to Hydrologic Group A. Water moves through the gravelly sand very quickly, making the area resistant to flooding. This rapid drainage is a major factor for building and road construction in the county.

Cool-Climate Gardening in Zone 5b

As a zone 5b region, Charlevoix is perfect for cool-weather crops like kale, peas, and potatoes. The gravelly, sandy soil is especially good for lavender and other herbs that hate 'wet feet.' Embrace the northern growing season with a garden designed for fast drainage.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Charlevoix County

via LawnByCounty

Cooler Conditions in Charlevoix County

Charlevoix County scores 64.5 on the lawn difficulty scale, making it slightly easier to manage than the state average. In USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, your lawn faces colder winters but fewer summer heat stresses than southern Michigan. This score reflects a generally favorable environment for northern grass varieties.

Moderate Rain and Cool Summers

You receive 34.3 inches of annual rain, which is very close to the state average. With 8 extreme heat days and 2,234 growing degree days, the pace of growth is steady without being overwhelming. These cooler conditions are ideal for maintaining lush, green turf without constant irrigation.

Navigating Gravelly, Acidic Soil

Your soil is classified as gravelly sand and is somewhat excessively drained, meaning water moves through it very quickly. The pH is 5.24, which is below the 6.0-7.0 ideal and will require lime to support healthy growth. Because of the gravelly texture and 60.6% sand, you should apply fertilizer in small, frequent doses.

High Natural Moisture Levels

Charlevoix County has experienced 0 weeks in drought over the past year and is currently 0% abnormally dry. This consistent moisture is a major advantage for local homeowners, reducing the need for expensive irrigation systems. However, your well-drained gravelly soil means you should still monitor for wilt during rare dry weeks.

Short Window for Northern Grasses

Fine Fescues and Kentucky Bluegrass are excellent choices for the 5b hardiness zone and your 8 annual heat days. Your growing season is condensed, beginning after the May 23rd frost and ending by October 19th. Aim to complete all major seeding projects by early September to beat the northern Michigan chill.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Charlevoix County's county score?
Charlevoix County, Michigan has a composite county score of 55.9 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 Charlevoix County rank among counties in Michigan?
Charlevoix County ranks #11 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 Charlevoix County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Charlevoix County is $2,493, with an effective tax rate of 0.90%. This earns Charlevoix County a tax score of 43.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Charlevoix County?
The median household income in Charlevoix County, Michigan is $76,531 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Charlevoix County earns an income score of 76.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Charlevoix County, Michigan a good place to live?
Charlevoix County scores 55.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #11 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Charlevoix 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 Charlevoix 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.