countyscore
58.8
County Score
Safety 89.8Water Quality 86Health 83

County Report Card

About Dickinson County, Michigan

Exceeding National Livability Standards

Dickinson County earns an impressive composite score of 58.2, well above the national median of 50.0. This score ranks it as one of the higher-quality living environments in the country.

A Leader Among Michigan Counties

With a 58.2 score, Dickinson far outpaces the Michigan state average of 47.1. It stands out as a premier destination in the Upper Peninsula for both safety and health.

Superior Safety and Clean Water

Dickinson County boasts an elite safety score of 89.8 and a water score of 86.0. Combined with a health score of 83.0, the county provides an exceptionally high standard of physical well-being.

High Tax Burden and Schools

The tax score of 14.2 is the county's lowest mark, driven by an effective tax rate of 1.471%. Educational metrics also lag, with a school score of 26.5 that trails its other high-performing dimensions.

Perfect for Safety-Conscious Families

This county is a top choice for anyone prioritizing low crime and a healthy environment. While taxes are higher, the median home value of $130,300 makes the overall cost of entry very manageable.

2040608010020.666.489.88326.548.540.78647.5Tax20.6Cost66.4Safety89.8Health83Schools26.5Income48.5Risk40.7Water86Weather47.558.8/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Dickinson County DNA

Foverall

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

Dickinson County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (89.8/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (20.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
20.6-31.4
Cost
66.4+18.400000000000006
Safety
89.8+34.8
Health
83+33
Schools
26.5-27.5
Income
48.5
Risk
40.7
Water
86+28
Weather
47.5-8.5
Sponsored

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Many homeowners in Dickinson 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

$153,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$797/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$153,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,880/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $65,156/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

23.1

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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Counties with similar scores

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Florida
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Queen Anne's County
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Cass County
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Amherst County
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Weston County
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Median income: $89,509
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Washington County
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Median income: $54,000
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Greene County
Iowa
Median income: $63,409
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Nearby counties

Florence County
Wisconsin
59.6
Menominee County
Michigan
55.6
Marinette County
Wisconsin
49.6
Iron County
Michigan
59.5
Forest County
Wisconsin
53.9
Marquette County
Michigan
50.8
Delta County
Michigan
49.7
Oconto County
Wisconsin
56.7

Deep Dives

Dickinson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Dickinson County

via TaxByCounty

Dickinson's tax rate exceeds national average

Dickinson County's effective tax rate of 1.471% ranks above the national median of 1.73% on a normalized basis, making it a higher-tax jurisdiction nationally. The median property tax of $1,917 falls below the nation's $2,690, reflecting lower home valuations in the county.

Highest rate among Michigan counties

Dickinson County's 1.471% effective rate significantly exceeds Michigan's state average of 1.166%, ranking among the state's highest-tax counties. The median tax of $1,917 modestly exceeds the state median of $2,102.

Highest tax rate in the region

Dickinson County's 1.471% represents the highest effective rate in its region, substantially above Crawford County (1.093%), Clare County (1.181%), and Chippewa County (1.288%). Residents here shoulder the region's heaviest tax burden per dollar of home value.

Dickinson residents pay $1,917 median

On the county median home value of $130,300, owners pay approximately $1,917 in annual property taxes. Those with mortgages average $2,084; those without average $1,726.

Appeal to challenge high assessments

Dickinson County's elevated tax rate makes overassessment especially costly—even small reductions yield meaningful savings. Review your assessment carefully and appeal if you believe your property is valued above fair market rates.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dickinson County

via IncomeByCounty

Dickinson income moderately below national

Dickinson County's median household income of $61,882 trails the national median of $74,755 by $12,873, placing it solidly in the middle range of U.S. counties. This performance reflects a stable but not highly dynamic local economy centered on healthcare and small manufacturing.

Slightly above Michigan state average

At $61,882, Dickinson County sits nearly 4% below Michigan's state median of $64,304—nearly on par with the average. This positions Dickinson in the middle tier of Michigan's 83 counties for household earnings.

Strong performer among northern counties

Dickinson's $61,882 median exceeds Crawford ($58,614), Chippewa ($60,631), and Clare ($49,805), ranking among the stronger-earning northern Michigan communities. Only Emmet ($73,724) and Clinton ($85,928) outperform Dickinson significantly in the region.

Excellent housing affordability

At 14.4%, Dickinson's rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among all eight counties reviewed, signaling exceptional housing affordability. A median home value of $130,300 is highly accessible for local earners, leaving ample income for savings and other priorities.

Capitalize on stable, affordable living

Dickinson households benefit from low housing costs—save the difference between local and national affordability ratios by directing 10–15% of income to retirement accounts and investments. This disciplined approach can accelerate wealth building faster than higher-income counties with elevated housing burdens.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Dickinson County

via CrimeByCounty

Dickinson County is One of America's Safest

With a near-perfect safety score of 99.7, Dickinson County is exceptionally secure. Its total crime rate of 212.0 per 100,000 is more than ten times lower than the national average.

Elite Status Among Michigan Counties

Dickinson County far exceeds the Michigan average safety score of 97.8. It ranks as a leader in public safety, reporting far fewer incidents than the state average of 1,371.8.

Unmatched Safety Compared to Neighbors

Dickinson’s total crime rate of 212.0 is over five times lower than neighbor Delta County’s rate of 1,183.5. It sets a very high standard for regional public safety.

Negligible Crime Rates Across the Board

The violent crime rate is a tiny 57.8 per 100,000, while property crime is also minimal at 154.2. These numbers mean that crime is a very rare occurrence for the local population.

Maintaining the Standard of Safety

In such a low-crime environment, community awareness and neighborly ties are your best defense. Standard locks and basic visibility are typically all that is needed to stay secure.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Dickinson County

via WeatherByCounty

Chilly averages in the Northwoods

Dickinson County is one of the colder spots in the nation with an average annual temperature of 42.1°F. This is nearly 12 degrees colder than the national median, resulting in long, snowy winters.

Below the Michigan temperature mean

The average annual temperature of 42.1°F is well below the Michigan state average of 45.7°F. It is also one of the drier counties in the state, receiving only 26.1 inches of precipitation annually.

Drier and colder than Delta

Dickinson is slightly colder than neighboring Delta County and sees about 5 inches less annual precipitation. However, it receives more snow, totaling 61 inches compared to Delta's 44.8.

Frigid Januaries and pleasant Junes

January is particularly harsh with an average temperature of 14.4°F. Summers are mild and pleasant, averaging 65.8°F, though the county still sees about 6 days of 90°F heat.

Prioritize heating and snow removal

Residents should prepare for a winter average of just 17.4°F with high-performance home heating systems. The 61 inches of snow requires reliable equipment and vehicle preparation for safe winter travel.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Dickinson County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Forest Soils of the North

Dickinson County has a pH of 4.96, making it more acidic than the state average of 5.30 and the national median of 6.5. This acidity is a hallmark of the forested regions in the Upper Peninsula.

Predominantly Sandy Soil Texture

The soil is 54.5% sand with a very low 5.3% clay content. This texture ensures the ground doesn't become sticky or heavy, but it may require amendments to help retain vital nutrients.

Solid Organic Levels with Moderate Storage

At 21.01%, the organic matter is slightly higher than the state average of 19.76%. However, the available water capacity of 0.194 in/in is just below the state norm, reflecting the soil's sandy nature.

Quick Water Movement Through Sand

Specific drainage data is missing, but the high sand percentage typically indicates rapid water movement. This minimizes mud issues but means gardens will likely need more frequent watering during dry spells.

Cold-Hardy Selection for Zone 4b

The 4b hardiness zone requires plants that can handle a shorter, cooler growing season. Focus on cold-hardy greens and native shrubs that thrive in naturally acidic, sandy environments.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Dickinson County

via LawnByCounty

Dickinson's Moderate Lawn Difficulty

Dickinson County scores a 49.3 on the lawn difficulty scale, making it slightly more challenging than the national average. Gardeners in this 4b hardiness zone must work harder to overcome lower precipitation and colder winters.

Lower Precipitation and Moderate Heat

The annual precipitation of 26.1 inches is below the ideal 30-inch threshold, making supplemental irrigation a necessity. Despite the cold zone, the county still sees 6 days of extreme heat that can stress unwatered grass.

Sandy Foundation and Acidic pH

The soil is 54.5% sand and has an acidic pH of 4.96. You will need to add organic matter to improve the soil's ability to hold the 26.1 inches of rain that falls annually.

Current Dryness in the Region

While the county only saw 10 weeks of drought last year, 17.5% of the area is currently classified as abnormally dry. Focus on deep watering early in the morning to maximize every drop in this lower-rainfall area.

Growing in the Upper Peninsula

Hardy grasses like Creeping Red Fescue are ideal for zone 4b and sandy soils. Plan your seeding after the late spring frost on May 25 to ensure the soil is warm enough for germination.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dickinson County's county score?
Dickinson County, Michigan has a composite county score of 58.8 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 Dickinson County rank among counties in Michigan?
Dickinson County ranks #8 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 Dickinson County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Dickinson County is $1,940, with an effective tax rate of 1.27%. This earns Dickinson County a tax score of 20.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Dickinson County?
The median household income in Dickinson County, Michigan is $65,156 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Dickinson County earns an income score of 48.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Dickinson County, Michigan a good place to live?
Dickinson County scores 58.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #8 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Dickinson 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 Dickinson 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.