countyscore
52.9
County Score
Disaster Risk 73.7Safety 70.3Soil Quality 67.3

County Report Card

About Chippewa County, Michigan

Chippewa Outpaces the National Median

With a composite score of 52.8, Chippewa County performs slightly better than the national median of 50.0. This score places the county in the top half of all U.S. counties for overall livability.

A Top Performer in Michigan

Chippewa County significantly exceeds the Michigan state average composite score of 47.1. Its balanced profile makes it one of the more competitive options in the Upper Peninsula region.

High Safety and Low Environmental Risk

The county excels in stability, boasting a risk score of 73.7 and a safety score of 70.3. Residents benefit from a secure environment and a relatively high health score of 63.6.

Tax Burdens and School Ratings

The tax score of 21.3 is a weak point, reflecting an effective tax rate of 1.288% that weighs on local finances. Additionally, the school score of 37.9 suggests room for improvement in educational outcomes.

Ideal for Secure Rural Living

Chippewa County is best suited for families or retirees who prioritize safety and low natural disaster risk over educational rankings. The median home value of $153,100 offers a budget-friendly entry point into a stable community.

2040608010021.160.370.363.637.940.473.76350.6Tax21.1Cost60.3Safety70.3Health63.6Schools37.9Income40.4Risk73.7Water63Weather50.652.9/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Chippewa County DNA

Foverall

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

Chippewa County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (73.7/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (21.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
21.1-30.9
Cost
60.3+12.299999999999997
Safety
70.3+15.299999999999997
Health
63.6+13.600000000000001
Schools
37.9-16.1
Income
40.4-10.600000000000001
Risk
73.7+26.700000000000003
Water
63
Weather
50.6
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Think property taxes are too high in Chippewa County?

Many homeowners in Chippewa 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

$161,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$797/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$161,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,880/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $62,217/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

43.9

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

Mackinac County
Michigan
46.7
Cheboygan County
Michigan
52.8
Emmet County
Michigan
55.5
Luce County
Michigan
53.3
Presque Isle County
Michigan
70.3
Charlevoix County
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Montmorency County
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Otsego County
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50

Deep Dives

Chippewa County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Chippewa County

via TaxByCounty

Chippewa's taxes rank below national average

At 1.288%, Chippewa County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 1.73%, placing the county in the lower half nationally. Homeowners here pay $1,972 annually in median property tax—a 27% savings compared to the national median of $2,690.

Above average for Michigan

Chippewa County ranks above Michigan's state average effective rate of 1.166%, meaning local taxes run slightly higher than typical across the state. The county's median tax of $1,972 exceeds the state median of $2,102 in absolute terms, though the lower home values keep the rate elevated.

Moderate taxes among regional peers

Chippewa County's 1.288% rate falls between nearby Crawford County (1.093%) and Dickinson County (1.471%). Compared to Emmet County's notably low 0.905%, Chippewa residents pay modestly more per dollar of home value.

Typical Chippewa home costs $1,972 yearly

On the county median home value of $153,100, a homeowner pays approximately $1,972 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $2,143; without one, it drops to $1,797.

Challenge your assessment if overvalued

Many Michigan homeowners discover their properties are assessed above fair market value, triggering unnecessary tax bills. If you believe your home's assessed value exceeds its true worth, filing an appeal with your local assessor could reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Chippewa County

via IncomeByCounty

Chippewa trails the national income average

Chippewa County's median household income of $60,631 sits $14,124 below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower half of American counties. This gap reflects both local economic conditions and broader rural Michigan income patterns that lag coastal and urban centers nationwide.

Below Michigan's county median

At $60,631, Chippewa County earns about 6% less than Michigan's average median household income of $64,304. Within the state's 83 counties, this positions Chippewa in the lower-middle tier of income earners.

Stronger than northern peers

Chippewa's $60,631 median outpaces Crawford County ($58,614) and Clare County ($49,805), but trails Dickinson County ($61,882) and Emmet County ($73,724) in the region. The variation across neighboring counties suggests that local industry and employment diversity significantly shape household earnings.

Housing costs manageable here

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.7%, Chippewa County keeps housing expenses well below the warning threshold of 30%, indicating solid affordability. A median home value of $153,100 requires roughly $24,500 annually in mortgage payments, or about 40% of median household income—reasonable for this market.

Build financial security in Chippewa

Chippewa households earning $60,631 annually have meaningful capacity to invest and save after covering basic costs. Financial advisors recommend directing 15–20% of household income toward retirement and emergency funds; at your income level, that's $9,000–$12,000 yearly toward long-term wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Chippewa County

via CrimeByCounty

Chippewa County Outperforms National Safety Benchmarks

Chippewa County maintains an impressive safety score of 98.9 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 700.8 per 100,000 residents is less than one-third of the national average of 2,385.5.

A Top-Tier Safety Rank in Michigan

The county's safety score exceeds the Michigan state average of 97.8. With a total crime rate significantly lower than the state average of 1,371.8, it remains one of the more secure regions in the state.

Leading the Region in Public Safety

Chippewa County’s crime rate of 700.8 is considerably lower than Delta County's rate of 1,183.5. It also sits just slightly above the exceptionally low rates seen in Emmet County.

Low Rates Across All Crime Categories

Violent crime occurs at a rate of 242.7 per 100,000, while property crime is also low at 458.1. These figures indicate that residents face a much lower risk of theft or assault compared to most Americans.

Maintaining a Secure Community Environment

While rates are low, localized property crime still accounts for the majority of incidents. Residents can further enhance community safety by investing in smart home monitoring and lighting.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Chippewa County

via WeatherByCounty

Sub-Boreal Climate in the Upper Peninsula

Chippewa County is one of the coldest in the nation, with an average annual temperature of only 41.6°F. This is nearly 14 degrees colder than the national median.

A Cold Standard for Michigan

At 41.6°F, the county is significantly colder than the Michigan average of 45.7°F. Its precipitation of 34.7 inches is almost identical to the state average, but most of it falls as snow.

Massive Snowfall Near the Border

The county receives a staggering 113.7 inches of snow annually, the highest on this list. This heavy lake-effect snow defines the region's geography and lifestyle.

Extreme Cold and Rare Heat

Winter temperatures average a frigid 19.0°F, while January specifically drops to 16.1°F. Summers are very cool at 63.4°F, with only 2 days of 90°F heat per year.

Winterize for the Long Haul

Residents must plan for over 9 feet of snow with professional-grade removal equipment. Heating systems must be robust enough to handle months of sub-freezing temperatures.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Chippewa County

via SoilByCounty

Highly Acidic Soils in the Upper Peninsula

Chippewa County features an average pH of 4.59, making it significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5. While specific taxonomic data is limited for this region, the low pH is a defining characteristic for local land management.

Silt-Heavy Composition for Easy Workability

The soil contains 59.1% silt and 22.5% sand, with a very low clay content of 6.6%. This high-silt mix makes the ground easy to work, though it requires care to prevent surface erosion.

Incredible Organic Matter and Water Storage

The organic matter content is an impressive 45.71%, more than double the Michigan average of 19.76%. This fuels a high available water capacity of 0.328 in/in, offering exceptional moisture retention for plants.

High Retention Despite Missing Drainage Data

Specific drainage and hydrologic classifications are not available for this profile. However, the high organic content and silt levels suggest the soil stays moist much longer than sandier neighboring regions.

Cold-Hardy Gardening in Zone 4b

With a 4b hardiness zone, gardeners should focus on short-season crops and cold-tolerant berries. The naturally high fertility provides a massive head start for any northern garden project.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Chippewa County

via LawnByCounty

Chippewa's Stable Lawn Growth Conditions

Chippewa County earns a 59.6 lawn difficulty score, placing it just slightly below the Michigan average of 60.1. While it sits in the cold 4b hardiness zone, it remains significantly easier to maintain a lawn here than the national median of 50.0.

Mild Summers and Sufficient Rain

Annual precipitation of 34.7 inches falls right within the ideal range for healthy turf growth. With only 2 extreme heat days per year, your grass faces very little summer stress compared to the state average of 7 days.

Managing Highly Acidic Soil

The soil is significantly acidic with a pH of 4.59, requiring lime treatments to reach the ideal 6.0 to 7.0 range. A low clay content of 6.6% suggests you should add organic matter to improve nutrient retention and soil structure.

A Year of Plentiful Water

Lawn owners enjoyed a drought-free year with zero weeks of water scarcity recorded across the county. You can maintain a lush yard without heavy restrictions, though monitoring moisture remains important for the thin, sandy soil.

Seeding for the Short North Season

Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescues thrive in zone 4b and should be seeded after the last frost on May 23. Aim to establish your lawn well before the first fall frost arrives on October 11 to ensure winter survival.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chippewa County's county score?
Chippewa County, Michigan has a composite county score of 52.9 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 Chippewa County rank among counties in Michigan?
Chippewa County ranks #24 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 Chippewa County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Chippewa County is $2,038, with an effective tax rate of 1.26%. This earns Chippewa County a tax score of 21.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Chippewa County?
The median household income in Chippewa County, Michigan is $62,217 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Chippewa County earns an income score of 40.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Chippewa County, Michigan a good place to live?
Chippewa County scores 52.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #24 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Chippewa 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 Chippewa 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.