CountyScore

Chippewa County

Michigan · MI

#35 in Michigan
69.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Chippewa County, Michigan

Well above the national average

Chippewa County's composite score of 68.6 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top third of U.S. counties. This 37% advantage reflects a county with solid fundamentals across housing affordability and tax competitiveness.

Right at Michigan's middle

Chippewa County scores 68.6, nearly identical to Michigan's state average of 68.7, indicating a typical livability profile for the Upper Peninsula. The county ranks in the middle band statewide on overall composite performance.

Affordability and reasonable taxes

Housing is exceptionally affordable here, with a cost score of 81.9 and median home values at $153,100. The effective tax rate of 1.288% keeps the overall tax burden manageable, supporting the county's competitive position.

Income growth lags significantly

The income score of 23.0 is notably weak, with a median household income of only $60,631—well below state and national aspirations. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable, limiting a full livability assessment.

Best for budget-conscious families

Chippewa County suits families and retirees prioritizing low housing costs and modest taxes over higher wage opportunities. The county offers stability and affordability for those with fixed or modest incomes seeking community roots in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Score breakdown

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

Tax66Cost81.9SafetyComing SoonHealth72SchoolsComing SoonIncome23Risk73.7WaterComing Soon
🏛66
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡73.7
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 Chippewa County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cullman County
Alabama
69.9
Median income: $60,916
Union County
Arkansas
69.9
Median income: $50,221
Fannin County
Georgia
69.9
Median income: $58,073
Cheyenne County
Kansas
69.9
Median income: $55,765
Jackson County
Kansas
69.9
Median income: $72,703

Deep Dives

Chippewa County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Chippewa County

via CostByCounty

Chippewa's Rent-to-Income Ratio Beats National Average

Chippewa County residents spend 15.7% of their household income on rent, which is well below the national benchmark and indicates strong rental affordability. With a median household income of $60,631—below the national average of $74,755—this county still manages favorable rent conditions due to its median gross rent of just $793 per month.

More Affordable Than Most Michigan Counties

Chippewa County ranks favorably across Michigan, with a rent-to-income ratio of 15.7% compared to the state average of 16.3%, and rents that are significantly lower than Michigan's median of $873 monthly. This positions the county as an attractive option for renters seeking affordability within the state.

Competitive Among Upper Michigan Counties

Chippewa County's $793 monthly rent sits between Delta County's $698 and Crawford County's $825, making it a middle-ground option in the Upper Peninsula region. When paired with its 15.7% rent-to-income ratio, Chippewa offers better affordability than Dickinson County (14.4% but higher rent at $744) for those with lower incomes.

Renters Get Better Deal Than Buyers Here

The typical Chippewa County renter pays $793 monthly while homeowners pay $805—nearly identical costs that reflect the county's affordable market across both housing types. With a median home value of $153,100 and median income of $60,631, residents dedicate roughly 15.7% of income to rental housing and face comparable affordability for ownership.

Consider Chippewa if Affordability Matters Most

Chippewa County delivers solid housing affordability with rents and ownership costs well-balanced against local incomes. If you're comparing Michigan counties and prioritize stretching your housing dollar, Chippewa's combination of low rents and stable home values deserves serious consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Chippewa County

via HealthByCounty

Chippewa's life expectancy edges above the curve

At 77.2 years, Chippewa County residents live nearly a year longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, a meaningful advantage in longevity. However, 18.8% report poor or fair health—slightly above the national average of 17.5%—suggesting that extra years don't guarantee robust daily health.

One year ahead of Michigan

Chippewa ranks above Michigan's state average life expectancy of 76.3 years, placing it in the stronger half of Michigan counties. The uninsured rate of 7.5% exceeds the state average of 6.4%, indicating some residents still lack coverage despite relatively good longevity outcomes.

Outpacing most regional peers

Chippewa's 77.2-year life expectancy beats nearby Clare County (73.7 years) by 3.5 years and exceeds Crawford County (76.6 years). Its mental health provider density of 450 per 100K is particularly strong—far above Crawford's 192 and nearly double Clare's 125.

Provider access holds steady

With 71 primary care providers per 100K population, Chippewa has better-than-average access to basic care, though specialist availability remains a consideration. At 7.5% uninsured, roughly 1 in 13 residents lack health coverage, creating gaps in preventive and emergency care.

Make sure you're covered

If you're among Chippewa's 7.5% uninsured residents, now is the time to explore options through Michigan's health insurance marketplace or Medicaid. Having coverage improves access to preventive care that keeps you healthier longer.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Chippewa County

via RiskByCounty

Chippewa ranks among safest counties

With a composite risk score of 26.30 and a 'Very Low' rating, Chippewa County sits well below the national average, making it one of Michigan's lower-risk communities. Most U.S. counties experience significantly higher overall disaster exposure, giving Chippewa residents notably better odds of avoiding major natural hazards.

Lowest risk in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Chippewa's score of 26.30 ranks it among the safest counties statewide—far below Michigan's 49.56 state average. The county's very low composite rating reflects consistently minimal exposure to the state's most common disaster threats.

Safer than nearby UP counties

Chippewa's 26.30 risk score significantly outperforms its Upper Peninsula neighbors: Delta County (53.05), Dickinson County (59.29), and Emmet County (38.14). This geographic advantage makes Chippewa one of the most secure areas in Michigan's northern region.

Wildfire and flooding demand attention

Despite overall low risk, Chippewa faces elevated wildfire risk at 75.41—among the highest in the state—due to extensive forest coverage and seasonal dry conditions. Flood risk of 49.90 also warrants preparedness, as spring snowmelt and intense summer storms can overwhelm local drainage systems.

Prepare for wildfire and water damage

Chippewa residents should secure comprehensive homeowner's insurance that covers wildfire and flood damage, especially those in forested areas or near waterways. Consider adding a separate flood policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) if your home is in a flood-prone zone.

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.