CountyScore

Crawford County

Michigan · MI

#17 in Michigan
72.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Crawford County, Michigan

Well above national livability median

Crawford County's composite score of 70.5 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 41%, placing it among the stronger counties in the nation. This performance is driven by exceptional tax efficiency and strong housing affordability.

Tops Michigan's state average

At 70.5, Crawford County ranks above Michigan's state average of 68.7, positioning it in the upper quartile of Michigan counties. The county offers a competitive livability package statewide.

Lowest taxes in the cohort

Crawford County boasts the best tax score of 71.5 with an effective rate of just 1.093%—the lowest among these eight counties. Combined with a cost score of 82.0 and median home value of $149,900, taxes and housing form a powerful affordability advantage.

Limited income growth potential

The income score of 21.7 and median household income of $58,614 suggest modest wage opportunities in the local economy. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable for a complete assessment.

Perfect for tax-conscious families

Crawford County is ideal for households prioritizing tax savings and affordable living over high-wage employment. The county rewards frugal, self-sufficient families and retirees seeking maximum purchasing power in a quiet Upper Peninsula setting.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.5Cost82SafetyComing SoonHealth73.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.7Risk82WaterComing Soon
🏛71.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡82
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 Crawford County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Butler County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $44,881
Choctaw County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $44,483
Hale County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $41,325
Pike County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $47,961
Gilchrist County
Florida
72.3
Median income: $61,070

Deep Dives

Crawford County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Crawford County

via TaxByCounty

Crawford has Michigan's lowest tax rate

Crawford County's effective tax rate of 1.093% ranks in the lowest tier nationally, well below the median of 1.73%. With a median property tax of $1,639, residents save significantly compared to the nation's $2,690 median.

Below Michigan's state average

Crawford County's 1.093% effective rate runs below Michigan's state average of 1.166%, placing it among the state's most tax-friendly counties. The median tax of $1,639 falls well below the state median of $2,102.

Second-lowest rate in the region

Crawford County's 1.093% ranks second-lowest regionally, trailing only Emmet County's 0.905%. The county significantly undercuts Dickinson County (1.471%) and Chippewa County (1.288%), offering genuine tax savings.

Crawford median tax: $1,639 yearly

On the county median home value of $149,900, owners pay around $1,639 in annual property taxes. Those with mortgages average $1,550; those without average $1,734.

Even low rates can hide overassessments

Crawford County's low tax rate doesn't guarantee accurate assessments—overvaluation occurs even in low-tax counties. Review your assessment and file an appeal if you believe your home is valued above its fair market price.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Crawford County

via CostByCounty

Crawford's Housing Costs Mirror National Patterns

Crawford County residents spend 16.9% of household income on rent, just slightly above the national average, with monthly rents of $825 that reflect a modest cost of living. The median household income of $58,614 falls below the national average of $74,755, yet housing costs remain reasonably proportioned to local earning capacity.

Slightly Above Average for Michigan Renters

Crawford County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Michigan's state average of 16.3% by just 0.6 percentage points, placing it near the middle of the state's affordability spectrum. Rents of $825 are lower than Michigan's median of $873, offering modest savings on the state baseline.

Balanced Middle Ground in Upper Peninsula

Crawford County's $825 monthly rent sits between Chippewa ($793) and the higher-cost Lower Peninsula counties, with a 16.9% rent-to-income ratio placing it between Chippewa (15.7%) and Clare (17.9%). This positioning makes Crawford a reasonable compromise for those seeking moderate costs in rural Michigan.

Renting and Buying Costs Align Closely

Crawford County renters pay $825 monthly while homeowners pay $763—one of the few counties where ownership is notably cheaper than renting by nearly $62 per month. With a median home value of $149,900 and median income of $58,614, both pathways consume 16-17% of household income, making the choice about lifestyle rather than pure affordability.

Crawford Offers Balanced Options

Crawford County works well for relocators seeking moderate housing costs without extreme affordability constraints or premium pricing. Whether you rent or buy, Crawford keeps housing costs in a comfortable 16-17% of income range—making it a practical choice for middle-income households.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Crawford County

via IncomeByCounty

Crawford income trails national median

Crawford County's median household income of $58,614 falls $16,141 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. This gap reflects the economic pressures facing rural Upper Michigan communities with limited industrial diversification.

Below Michigan average

At $58,614, Crawford County earns about 9% less than Michigan's state median of $64,304. Among the state's 83 counties, Crawford ranks in the lower-middle range for household earnings.

Competitive with nearby counties

Crawford's $58,614 median is slightly above Clare County ($49,805) but slightly below Chippewa ($60,631) and Dickinson ($61,882). This clustering suggests similar economic drivers—forestry, light manufacturing, and tourism—shape incomes across the northern region.

Favorable housing affordability

Crawford's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% indicates solid housing affordability, with median home values of $149,900 remaining within reach for local earners. At this ratio, a household earning the median can allocate housing costs comfortably while preserving money for savings and other needs.

Start a disciplined savings plan

Crawford households earning $58,614 should commit to saving 10–15% annually—roughly $5,800–$8,800—through automatic payroll deductions into retirement and education accounts. This consistent approach, compounded over decades, builds meaningful wealth even at modest income levels.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Crawford County

via HealthByCounty

Crawford slightly trails national health trends

Crawford County's life expectancy of 76.6 years is nearly equal to the U.S. average of 76.4 years, but 17.8% report poor or fair health, slightly above the national average. The county sits near the middle ground on national health benchmarks.

Close to Michigan average, slightly better insured

Crawford's 76.6-year life expectancy edges just above Michigan's state average of 76.3 years, while its 6.1% uninsured rate is nearly identical to the state average of 6.4%. Crawford performs near state norms across both metrics.

Middle ground among Michigan's central counties

Crawford's life expectancy falls between Clare (73.7) and Chippewa (77.2), placing it in the middle tier regionally. With 76 primary care providers per 100K, Crawford has reasonable care access, though mental health providers (192 per 100K) lag behind Chippewa (450).

Moderate access, slight coverage gaps

Crawford offers 76 primary care providers per 100K, providing decent day-to-day medical access for routine care. At 6.1% uninsured, about 1 in 16 Crawford residents lack coverage, creating pockets of financial vulnerability for healthcare costs.

Fill the coverage gap in Crawford

With 6.1% of Crawford uninsured, there's room to improve coverage in the county—and for you personally, health insurance removes the fear of unexpected medical costs. Visit Michigan's health marketplace or ask about Medicaid eligibility.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Crawford County

via RiskByCounty

Crawford is Michigan's safest county

Crawford County's composite risk score of 18.03 with a 'Very Low' rating makes it one of America's lowest-risk counties. This exceptional safety profile puts Crawford residents among the most protected from natural disasters nationally.

Lowest risk ranking statewide

Crawford's 18.03 score is the lowest among all Michigan counties, dramatically below the state average of 49.56. The county's very low composite rating reflects minimal exposure to nearly all major natural hazards.

Safest in Michigan's north-central region

Crawford's 18.03 risk score significantly outperforms all surrounding counties: Chippewa (26.30), Clare (47.46), Oscoda, and other neighbors. This makes Crawford the undisputed safest zone in Michigan's north-central interior.

Wildfire poses main seasonal threat

Despite very low overall risk, Crawford's wildfire risk score of 75.22 reflects extensive forest coverage that requires vigilance during dry seasons. Tornado risk of 26.34 presents a secondary concern during spring severe weather, though well below state averages.

Focus on wildfire and basic coverage

Crawford residents should prioritize wildfire insurance if their homes sit near forested areas, as this represents the county's primary natural hazard. Standard homeowner's insurance with adequate coverage limits provides solid protection for this very-low-risk county.

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.