CountyScore

Delta County

Michigan · MI

#31 in Michigan
70.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Delta County, Michigan

Solidly above national comparison

Delta County scores 71.0, outperforming the national median of 50.0 by 42% and ranking among stronger U.S. counties. The score reflects consistent strength across cost and tax dimensions.

Above Michigan's average

At 71.0, Delta County exceeds Michigan's state average of 68.7, ranking it in the upper tier of Michigan counties overall. The county delivers above-average livability on a statewide basis.

Top-tier housing affordability

Delta County ties for the best cost score at 84.4, with the lowest median rent of $698 per month and median home value of $146,800 among the eight counties. The tax score of 70.5 and 1.129% effective rate further enhance affordability.

Income opportunities are limited

The income score of 19.2 reflects the lowest median household income in this cohort at $54,829, indicating limited local wage growth. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable to complete the livability profile.

Excellent for stretching modest means

Delta County suits families and retirees with modest, stable incomes seeking the lowest possible cost of living. The county maximizes purchasing power for fixed-income households in a quiet, affordable Upper Peninsula community.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.5Cost84.4SafetyComing SoonHealth76.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.2Risk47WaterComing Soon
🏛70.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡47
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 Delta County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Chambers County
Alabama
70.4
Median income: $49,295
Wilcox County
Alabama
70.4
Median income: $42,236
Ashley County
Arkansas
70.4
Median income: $44,481
Dixie County
Florida
70.4
Median income: $47,655
Morgan County
Indiana
70.4
Median income: $79,088

Deep Dives

Delta County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Delta County

via CostByCounty

Delta Delivers Lowest Rents Among Profiled Counties

Delta County boasts the lowest monthly rent across all profiled Michigan counties at just $698, with residents spending 15.3% of household income on housing—well below the national average. Despite a median household income of $54,829 (below the national average of $74,755), Delta's rock-bottom rents create exceptional affordability for renters.

Michigan's Most Affordable Rental Market

Delta County's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Michigan's best, and its $698 median rent is the lowest in the state profile—representing substantial savings compared to Michigan's median rent of $873. This county delivers genuine affordability advantages for budget-conscious renters.

Unbeaten Rents in Upper Peninsula

Delta County's $698 monthly rent undercuts every comparable Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula county profiled, beating even Chippewa ($793) and Clare ($743) by significant margins. Its 15.3% rent-to-income ratio places it among the most affordable options for any Michigan renter.

Homeownership Nearly as Affordable as Renting

Delta County renters pay $698 monthly while homeowners pay $762—a modest $64 difference that makes both pathways remarkably affordable relative to the $54,829 median income. Median home values of $146,800 position ownership within reach for many households seeking to build equity.

Delta County for Maximum Affordability

If stretching your housing dollar is the top priority, Delta County delivers Michigan's most affordable rental market with $698 monthly rents that consume just 15.3% of household income. Consider Delta if you're relocating on a tight budget and value unbeatable housing costs over proximity to larger metros.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Delta County

via HealthByCounty

Delta matches U.S. life expectancy targets

At 76.5 years, Delta County aligns nearly perfectly with the U.S. average of 76.4 years, though 14.5% report poor or fair health—below the national average of 17.5%. Delta's residents enjoy better daily health than the national typical.

Slightly above Michigan baseline

Delta's 76.5-year life expectancy edges above Michigan's state average of 76.3 years, and its 6.3% uninsured rate is nearly identical to the state average of 6.4%. Delta performs solidly by Michigan standards on both measures.

Balanced health profile in Upper Peninsula

Delta's 76.5-year life expectancy sits between Crawford (76.6) and Dickinson (76.8), reflecting consistent health outcomes across the Upper Peninsula region. With 82 primary care providers per 100K, Delta has strong primary care access, ranking above most regional peers.

Strong primary care, competitive coverage

Delta's 82 primary care providers per 100K puts it well ahead of state supply levels, ensuring residents can access basic care relatively easily. At 6.3% uninsured—nearly matching the state average—most Delta residents have health insurance coverage.

Delta's coverage is nearly universal

With 6.3% uninsured, Delta has strong health insurance participation—but if you're in that small gap, now's the time to act. Explore Michigan's marketplace or local Medicaid eligibility to join your neighbors in covered care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Delta County

via RiskByCounty

Delta County faces moderate disaster risk

Delta County's composite risk score of 53.05 with a 'Relatively Low' rating sits above Michigan's 49.56 state average. This positioning reflects moderate but manageable hazard exposure when compared to national standards.

Above-average risk for Michigan

At 53.05, Delta ranks above the state average of 49.56, placing it in Michigan's moderate-to-higher tier. The county's risk profile is driven heavily by water-related hazards tied to its Lake Superior and Menominee River geography.

Higher risk than most UP neighbors

Delta's 53.05 score exceeds Crawford County (18.03) and Chippewa County (26.30) but sits below Dickinson County (59.29). Its position as a regional risk hub reflects its unique waterfront exposure along Lake Superior.

Flooding dominates, wildfire secondary

Delta faces flood risk of 60.40—well above state average—due to its location along Lake Superior and the Menominee River, making spring snowmelt and lake-effect precipitation major seasonal concerns. Wildfire risk of 49.75 also merits attention given the county's substantial forest coverage.

Prioritize flood insurance immediately

Delta residents, especially those near lakeshores or river valleys, must secure flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private carriers. Standard homeowner's policies exclude flood damage, making this critical for properties in Delta's flood-prone zones.

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.