countyscore
43.4
County Score
Water Quality 86Cost of Living 73.3Soil Quality 60.9

County Report Card

About Clare County, Michigan

Affordable but Below National Median

Clare County’s composite score of 43.1 falls below the national median of 50.0. While it offers high value in specific categories, its overall ranking reflects significant socioeconomic hurdles.

Trailing the Michigan Average

The county scores 43.1 against a state average of 47.1, indicating it lags behind many of its Michigan peers. Despite this, it remains a standout for housing affordability within the state.

Clean Water and High Affordability

Clare County shines with a water score of 86.0 and a cost score of 72.4. With a median home value of just $117,400 and rent at $743, it is one of the most affordable places to live in the region.

Income and Safety Struggles

The income score of 14.0 is among the lowest in the state, with a median household income of $49,805. A safety score of 35.0 and a school score of 23.8 represent the county's primary areas for growth.

A Choice for Budget-Conscious Households

This county is a strong match for those who prioritize low housing costs and natural resources over high-income career opportunities. It suits individuals looking for a quiet, low-cost lifestyle where the dollar stretches further.

204060801002873.3354823.810.852.68650.1Tax28Cost73.3Safety35Health48Schools23.8Income10.8Risk52.6Water86Weather50.143.4/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Clare County DNA

Foverall

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

Clare County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Income (10.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
28-24
Cost
73.3+25.299999999999997
Safety
35-20
Health
48
Schools
23.8-30.2
Income
10.8-40.2
Risk
52.6
Water
86+28
Weather
50.1
Sponsored

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Many homeowners in Clare 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

$133,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$765/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$133,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,600/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $49,384/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

3.2

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 Clare County with Cross County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Cross County
Arkansas
Median income: $50,863
43.4
Poinsett County
Arkansas
Median income: $46,707
43.4
Montezuma County
Colorado
Median income: $65,244
43.4
Sarasota County
Florida
Median income: $83,416
43.4
Montgomery County
Kentucky
Median income: $56,396
43.4
Torrance County
New Mexico
Median income: $57,842
43.4
Greene County
North Carolina
Median income: $53,244
43.4
Okmulgee County
Oklahoma
Median income: $54,029
43.4

Nearby counties

Roscommon County
Michigan
47.3
Osceola County
Michigan
50.3
Missaukee County
Michigan
50
Gladwin County
Michigan
49.6
Isabella County
Michigan
34.9
Mecosta County
Michigan
40.9
Midland County
Michigan
52.1
Ogemaw County
Michigan
43.1

Deep Dives

Clare County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 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

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

Safety in Clare County

via CrimeByCounty

Clare County Remains Safer Than National Average

Clare County earns a safety score of 97.6, indicating a generally secure environment. Its total crime rate of 1,509.7 per 100,000 residents stays well below the national mark of 2,385.5.

Consistent Performance with State Averages

The county's safety score of 97.6 sits just nearly level with the Michigan state average of 97.8. However, its total crime rate is slightly higher than the state-wide average of 1,371.8.

Comparing Clare to Its Northern Neighbors

Clare County’s crime rate of 1,509.7 is higher than Crawford County’s rate of 1,151.8. It reflects a busier activity level for local law enforcement compared to more rural surrounding areas.

Higher Property Crime Rates Relative to Violence

Property crime makes up the bulk of local incidents at 1,071.0 per 100,000 residents. The violent crime rate of 438.7 is higher than the state average but remains moderate on a national scale.

Proactive Security for Property Owners

Because property crime is the primary concern here, basic home security measures go a long way. Installing motion-activated lights and securing outbuildings helps deter opportunistic theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Clare County

via SoilByCounty

Rich Acidic Mollisols of Central Michigan

Clare County is dominated by Mollisols with a pH of 4.40, which is well below the national median of 6.5. These soils are typically nutrient-rich but require lime to manage the high acidity for most crops.

A Balanced Loam with Sandy Roots

The soil is a loamy mix consisting of 53.3% sand and 11.2% clay. The 18.0% silt helps bridge the gap, creating a structure that is easy for roots to penetrate while maintaining some stability.

Strong Organic Content Above State Averages

At 25.98%, the organic matter content exceeds the state average of 19.76%. The available water capacity of 0.201 in/in sits right at the state baseline, indicating reliable water availability during the growing season.

Managing Saturated Ground and Runoff

Classified as poorly drained and belonging to hydrologic group B/D, this soil can stay soggy after heavy rains. Farmers and builders should plan for drainage solutions to prevent standing water issues.

Thriving in a Zone 5a Climate

The Zone 5a climate pairs well with Clare's high-organic Mollisols for growing perennials and cool-season vegetables. It is a great environment for a productive garden if you monitor soil moisture levels.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Clare County

via LawnByCounty

Tough Turf Challenges in Clare

Clare County faces significant challenges with a lawn difficulty score of 39.5, falling well below the state average of 60.1. Maintaining turf here in hardiness zone 5a requires more effort than 60% of the rest of the country.

Low Precipitation Impacts Mowing

The county receives 31.0 inches of annual precipitation, which sits at the lower end of the ideal range for grass. While heat stress is moderate at 6 days over 90°F, consistent watering is necessary to support steady growth throughout the summer.

Poor Drainage and Acidic Loam

The soil foundation is quite acidic at 4.40 pH and consists of poorly drained loam. You likely need lime to balance the acidity and core aeration to prevent waterlogged roots from damaging your lawn.

Battling Prolonged Dry Spells

Conditions have been harsh recently, with the county spending 41 weeks in drought over the past year. Currently, 100% of the area is abnormally dry, making water conservation and deep, infrequent soakings essential for survival.

Choosing Resilient Grass Types

Cold-hardy species like Tall Fescue are best suited for zone 5a and provide better drought resistance. Since local frost data is limited, plan your seeding for late summer to ensure roots take hold before the ground freezes.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Clare County's county score?
Clare County, Michigan has a composite county score of 43.4 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 Clare County rank among counties in Michigan?
Clare County ranks #52 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 Clare County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Clare County is $1,489, with an effective tax rate of 1.11%. This earns Clare County a tax score of 28/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Clare County?
The median household income in Clare County, Michigan is $49,384 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Clare County earns an income score of 10.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Clare County, Michigan a good place to live?
Clare County scores 43.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #52 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Clare 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 Clare 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.