CountyScore

Clare County

Michigan · MI

#47 in Michigan
68.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Clare County, Michigan

Solidly above national benchmark

Clare County's composite score of 70.1 beats the national median of 50.0 by 40%, placing it among stronger-performing counties nationwide. This performance reflects particular strength in housing affordability combined with manageable taxes.

Among Michigan's top performers

At 70.1, Clare County exceeds Michigan's state average of 68.7, ranking it in the upper tier of Michigan counties overall. The county stands out for cost-of-living advantages in a state-level comparison.

Exceptional housing affordability

Clare County excels with a cost score of 84.4 and the lowest median home value among these eight counties at $117,400, plus rent averaging just $743 per month. The tax score of 69.0 and effective rate of 1.181% add to the affordability appeal.

Incomes among the lowest regionally

The income score of 15.9 reflects a median household income of $49,805, the lowest in this cohort and a significant constraint on purchasing power. Safety, health, educational, and environmental data are not yet available to complete the livability picture.

Ideal for retirees and remote workers

Clare County is perfect for retirees on fixed incomes or remote workers seeking ultra-low cost of living in a tax-friendly environment. The county's strength lies in stretching limited dollars rather than supporting career-building wage growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax69Cost84.4SafetyComing SoonHealth68.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.9Risk52.6WaterComing Soon
🏛69
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡52.6
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 Clare County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Escambia County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $44,447
Madison County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $83,528
Cross County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,012
Poinsett County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,188
Morgan County
Colorado
68.2
Median income: $75,407

Deep Dives

Clare County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Clare County

via TaxByCounty

Clare County keeps taxes modest nationally

Clare County's effective tax rate of 1.181% ranks well below the national median of 1.73%, offering residents a tax advantage. The county's median property tax of $1,387 runs 48% lower than the nation's $2,690 median.

Right at Michigan's state average

Clare County's 1.181% effective rate nearly matches Michigan's statewide average of 1.166%, making it a typical tax environment for the state. The median tax of $1,387 falls notably below the state median of $2,102, reflecting lower home values.

Lowest taxes among nearby counties

At 1.181%, Clare County offers the lowest effective tax rate in its region—lower than Crawford County (1.093% effective on a higher-value home base) and well below Dickinson County (1.471%). Residents here benefit from both moderate rates and lower property values.

Clare's median tax: just $1,387 annually

On the county median home value of $117,400, owners pay around $1,387 in yearly property taxes. Mortgaged homes average $1,494; those owned outright average $1,272.

Appeal your assessment if it's inflated

Overassessment is common across Michigan, and Clare County homeowners are no exception. If your property's assessed value seems too high relative to recent sales in your area, file an appeal with your assessor to potentially lower your tax obligation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clare County

via CostByCounty

Clare's Housing Costs Strain Lower Incomes

Clare County residents spend 17.9% of their income on rent—notably higher than both the national and state averages—putting housing affordability at the edge of comfort for many renters. With a median household income of just $49,805 (well below the national average of $74,755), this gap creates real affordability challenges despite modest rents of $743 monthly.

Among Michigan's Least Affordable Counties

Clare County ranks among Michigan's least affordable for renters, with a 17.9% rent-to-income ratio exceeding the state average of 16.3% by 1.6 percentage points. The county's combination of lower-than-average incomes and higher-than-average rent burden reflects structural economic challenges across the region.

Affordability Pressures Across Rural North Michigan

Clare County's $743 rent is competitive regionally, but its 17.9% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among nearby Upper Peninsula counties, including Chippewa (15.7%), Crawford (16.9%), and Delta (15.3%). This reflects Clare's particularly low median income relative to its rental costs.

Homeownership Offers Slight Relief for Clare Residents

Renters in Clare County dedicate 17.9% of income to $743 monthly rent, while homeowners pay $706 per month for their mortgages—creating a rare case where ownership costs less than renting. Median home values of $117,400 make entry-level ownership more accessible than renting for many households.

Clare Works Better for Owner-Occupants

If you're relocating to Northern Michigan, Clare County offers lower home values ($117,400) and ownership costs ($706) that can offset its challenging rental market. Buyers in particular may find Clare's affordability advantage worth exploring compared to renting or purchasing in higher-cost neighboring counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clare County

via IncomeByCounty

Clare County income lags national average

Clare County's median household income of $49,805 falls $24,950 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it among the lowest-income counties in the country. This substantial gap reflects economic challenges common to rural Michigan communities dependent on declining manufacturing and timber sectors.

Among Michigan's lowest-earning counties

At $49,805, Clare County ranks significantly below Michigan's state average of $64,304—a gap of $14,499. Within the state's 83 counties, Clare places in the bottom quartile for household income.

Lowest earner in the region

Clare County's $49,805 median is notably lower than all comparable northern Michigan neighbors, including Crawford ($58,614), Chippewa ($60,631), and Dickinson ($61,882). This positions Clare as the most economically challenged county among its peers, suggesting limited local job growth and higher unemployment.

Housing costs stretch budgets

Clare's rent-to-income ratio of 17.9% is the highest among the counties reviewed, signaling tighter housing affordability despite modest median home values of $117,400. For median earners, housing consumes a larger share of income than state and national best practices suggest, leaving less room for savings and other essentials.

Prioritize emergency savings in Clare

With lower median income and tighter affordability, Clare County households should focus first on building a 3-month emergency fund before aggressive investing. Even small contributions—$100–$200 monthly—compound significantly over time and provide crucial stability against unexpected expenses.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clare County

via HealthByCounty

Clare lags national health benchmarks

At 73.7 years, Clare County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average by nearly 3 years, and 18.7% of residents report poor or fair health—above the national average. These figures suggest Clare faces meaningful health challenges compared to the rest of the nation.

Among Michigan's shortest life spans

Clare's 73.7-year life expectancy ranks well below Michigan's state average of 76.3 years, placing it in the lower tier of the state's 83 counties. The uninsured rate of 8.3% also exceeds the state average of 6.4%, adding financial barriers to care.

Health outcomes significantly lag nearby counties

Clare's life expectancy is 3.5 years shorter than Chippewa County (77.2 years) and 6.2 years shorter than Clinton County (79.9 years). With only 29 primary care providers and 125 mental health providers per 100K, Clare has the lowest provider density among its regional peers.

Limited care access compounds health gaps

Clare's 29 primary care providers per 100K is roughly half the regional average, creating real delays in accessing routine medical care. With 8.3% uninsured—the highest among peer counties—affordability barriers worsen the problem.

Health coverage is your starting point

If you're uninsured in Clare County, getting covered through Medicaid or marketplace insurance is critical for accessing the primary care doctors your county needs. Coverage opens the door to preventive services that can help extend and improve your life.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clare County

via RiskByCounty

Clare's risk mirrors Michigan's state average

Clare County's composite risk score of 47.46 sits just slightly below Michigan's 49.56 state average, earning a 'Relatively Low' rating. While safer than many U.S. counties, Clare faces moderate disaster exposure compared to national standards.

Middle-of-the-road risk for Michigan

At 47.46, Clare ranks near the statewide average of 49.56, placing it in Michigan's moderate-risk tier. The county experiences a balanced mix of hazard types rather than domination by any single threat.

Slightly lower risk than surrounding counties

Clare's 47.46 score edges out nearby Crawford County (18.03) in overall risk but sits below Eaton County (67.62) and Dickinson County (59.29). This positioning reflects Clare's geographic location in central Michigan's relatively stable zone.

Tornado and flood risks dominate

Clare faces tornado risk of 58.05—well above state average—making severe thunderstorms its primary seasonal threat. Flood risk of 50.06 adds secondary concern, especially in areas near the Tobacco River and during heavy spring runoff periods.

Prioritize tornado and flood coverage

Clare homeowners should ensure their policies explicitly cover tornado damage and high winds, as standard homeowner's insurance may exclude some storm damage. Adding flood insurance through the NFIP is essential if your property sits in a flood zone or near local waterways.

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.