countyscore
49.7
County Score
Health 77.8Cost of Living 74.8Soil Quality 73.4

County Report Card

About Delta County, Michigan

Consistent with National Medians

Delta County earns a 49.5 composite score, placing it nearly exactly on par with the national median of 50.0. This indicates a standard of living that is competitive on a nationwide scale.

Stronger Than the State Average

Exceeding the Michigan average of 47.1, Delta County is a reliable choice for residents within the state. It combines regional affordability with better-than-average health outcomes.

Affordable Living and Great Health

The county features a strong health score of 77.8 and a cost score of 73.0. Rent is particularly affordable at a median of $698 per month, making it accessible for a wide range of budgets.

Water Infrastructure and Low Incomes

A water score of 23.1 is the primary concern, indicating a need for infrastructure investment. Furthermore, the income score of 24.7 reflects a median household income of $54,829, which is below national norms.

A Value Pick for Healthy Living

Delta County is a great fit for retirees or remote workers looking for extremely low housing costs and high-quality healthcare. Those moving here should simply be mindful of local water quality reports.

2040608010027.174.847.377.827.427.74723.150.5Tax27.1Cost74.8Safety47.3Health77.8Schools27.4Income27.7Risk47Water23.1Weather50.549.7/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Delta County DNA

Foverall

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

Delta County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (77.8/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (23.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
27.1-24.9
Cost
74.8+26.799999999999997
Safety
47.3
Health
77.8+27.799999999999997
Schools
27.4-26.6
Income
27.7-23.3
Risk
47
Water
23.1-34.9
Weather
50.5
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Delta County?

Many homeowners in Delta County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$157,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$692/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$157,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$27,680/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $57,809/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

27.2

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
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Nearby counties

Schoolcraft County
Michigan
55.8
Menominee County
Michigan
55.6
Dickinson County
Michigan
58.8
Alger County
Michigan
64.7
Door County
Wisconsin
61.5
Marinette County
Wisconsin
49.6
Marquette County
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50.8
Florence County
Wisconsin
59.6

Deep Dives

Delta County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Delta County

via TaxByCounty

Delta County taxes run below national norm

Delta County's effective tax rate of 1.129% sits below the national median of 1.73%, providing residents with below-average tax burdens. The median property tax of $1,658 represents a 38% savings versus the nation's $2,690 median.

Slightly below Michigan's state average

Delta County's 1.129% effective rate runs marginally below Michigan's 1.166% state average, positioning it as a fairly typical Michigan county. The median tax of $1,658 falls substantially below the state median of $2,102.

Moderate taxes among regional peers

Delta County's 1.129% sits comfortably in the middle of its regional cohort, below Dickinson County (1.471%) and Chippewa County (1.288%), but above Crawford County (1.093%). It offers balanced tax treatment compared to neighboring counties.

Delta's median tax is $1,658 annually

On the county median home value of $146,800, owners pay approximately $1,658 in yearly property taxes. Mortgaged homes average $1,769; those owned outright average $1,535.

Challenge inflated assessments to save

Even in moderate-tax counties like Delta, property overassessments drain homeowner wallets unnecessarily. If your assessment exceeds comparable recent sales in your area, file an appeal with your local assessor to potentially reduce your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Delta County

via IncomeByCounty

Delta income significantly below U.S. average

Delta County's median household income of $54,829 lags the national median of $74,755 by $19,926, reflecting the economic strain on this Upper Michigan community. The gap underscores dependence on declining mining and manufacturing sectors with limited new job creation.

Lower-income county in Michigan

At $54,829, Delta County ranks below Michigan's state median of $64,304 by nearly $10,000. Within the state's 83 counties, Delta places in the lower quartile for household income.

Struggles compared to regional peers

Delta's $54,829 median trails Dickinson County ($61,882), Chippewa ($60,631), and Crawford ($58,614), though it outperforms Clare ($49,805). The gap suggests Delta faces steeper employment challenges than most neighboring counties despite proximity to similar industries.

Rent remains affordable

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.3%, Delta County maintains solid housing affordability despite lower median incomes. A median home value of $146,800 translates to manageable housing costs for local earners, offering financial breathing room.

Leverage employer benefits and tax credits

Delta households earning $54,829 should explore employer-sponsored retirement plans, Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC), and low-cost index funds to build wealth incrementally. Even $100 monthly into a Roth IRA or automatic savings account creates compounding benefits over 30 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Delta County

via CrimeByCounty

Delta County Maintains Strong Security Profile

Delta County earns a safety score of 98.1, reflecting a safe community for families. Its total crime rate of 1,183.5 per 100,000 residents is roughly 50% lower than the national average.

Exceeding the Michigan State Safety Mark

The county's safety score of 98.1 beats the state average of 97.8. Local crime rates are also better than the Michigan average of 1,371.8 per 100,000 people.

Comparative Safety in the Upper Peninsula

Delta County’s crime rate of 1,183.5 is higher than Chippewa County’s 700.8. Despite this, it remains a very safe choice compared to the vast majority of counties in the lower peninsula.

Low Violent Crime Risk for Residents

The violent crime rate stands at just 260.6, well below the national mark. Property crime represents 922.9 incidents per 100,000, which accounts for the majority of police calls.

Practical Steps for Home Safety

Since most local crime is property-related, residents should focus on securing valuables and outdoor equipment. Simple deterrents like motion sensors can significantly reduce the risk of theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Delta County

via WeatherByCounty

A cold Upper Peninsula climate

Delta County averages 42.5°F annually, which is over 11 degrees colder than the national median. The proximity to Lake Michigan influences its weather, providing a distinct maritime-influenced continental climate.

Colder than the state average

The county's average temperature of 42.5°F falls well below the Michigan statewide average of 45.7°F. This gap highlights the significant climatic difference between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.

Milder snow than western neighbors

Delta's 44.8 inches of snow is surprisingly lower than Dickinson County’s 61.0 inches to the west. However, both counties share similar sub-20°F winter averages that define the region.

Mild summers and steady freezes

Extreme heat is rare here, with only 3 days per year reaching 90°F. Winters are long and cold, with a January average of 17.2°F and roughly 45 inches of annual snow.

Winterize for the long haul

With a winter average of 19.8°F, residents must focus on home insulation and reliable heating sources. The low number of extreme heat days makes air conditioning less critical than in southern Michigan.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Delta County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced Acidity in the Central U.P.

Delta County's average pH of 5.33 perfectly matches the state average, though it remains more acidic than the national 6.5 median. This level of acidity is typical for many Michigan forest and farm lands.

Sandy-Silt Mix with Low Clay

The soil is composed of 52.0% sand and 28.5% silt, with only 7.5% clay. This light texture prevents compaction and makes the ground very easy to dig and manage for gardening.

Healthy Fertility and Water Capacity

Organic matter is strong at 22.95%, beating the state average of 19.76%. An available water capacity of 0.214 in/in ensures that crops have a better-than-average reservoir of moisture during the summer.

Moderate Permeability for Land Use

While specific drainage classes are not listed, the high sand and silt content suggest moderate to fast permeability. These traits generally favor agricultural use by reducing the risk of long-term saturated roots.

Productive Gardening in Zone 5a

Zone 5a supports a wide range of hardy Michigan staples, from root vegetables to orchards. The above-average fertility and solid water retention make Delta County an inviting spot for any new gardener.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Delta County

via LawnByCounty

Managing the Delta Lawn Landscape

Delta County scores a 57.1 for lawn difficulty, which is slightly more challenging than the state average but better than the national median. Homeowners in this 5a zone benefit from a climate that is generally favorable for cool-season grasses.

Cooler Summers Benefit Turf

With only 3 days of extreme heat per year, grass stays green longer without the stress of high temperatures. Annual precipitation of 31.0 inches is sufficient, though it falls on the lower end of the ideal range.

Sandy Soils Require Amendments

The soil contains 52.0% sand and has an acidic pH of 5.33. You should test your soil regularly and apply lime to bring the pH closer to 6.5 for optimal nutrient uptake.

Low Drought Risk for Delta

The county only experienced 10 weeks of drought over the past year and currently shows no abnormal dryness. This stability allows for a consistent maintenance schedule without frequent emergency watering.

Successful Seeding in Zone 5a

Kentucky Bluegrass is a standard choice for this region's climate. The best window for growth starts after the May 16 frost and ends before the first fall frost on October 1.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Delta County's county score?
Delta County, Michigan has a composite county score of 49.7 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 Delta County rank among counties in Michigan?
Delta County ranks #40 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 Delta County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Delta County is $1,771, with an effective tax rate of 1.13%. This earns Delta County a tax score of 27.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Delta County?
The median household income in Delta County, Michigan is $57,809 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Delta County earns an income score of 27.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Delta County, Michigan a good place to live?
Delta County scores 49.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #40 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Delta 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 Delta 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.