countyscore
49.6
County Score
Cost of Living 73.7Disaster Risk 59.8Health 56.6

County Report Card

About Gladwin County, Michigan

Competitive on the national stage

Gladwin County scores a 49.4, nearly matching the national median of 50.0. This performance suggests a standard of living that is consistent with the middle tier of American counties.

Outperforming the Michigan average

With a score of 49.4, Gladwin exceeds the Michigan state average of 47.1. It offers a more balanced profile than many of its more industrial neighbors.

Exceptional housing affordability

The county shines in housing costs with a score of 71.6 and a median rent of just $689 per month. Homeowners benefit from a median home value of $153,200, making it a standout for affordability.

Limited economic upward mobility

The income score is a low 26.7, reflecting a median household income of $55,576. Water quality also lags behind other dimensions with a score of 30.6.

Ideal for budget-conscious retirees

Gladwin is a great fit for retirees or remote workers who prioritize low monthly costs and safety over local high-wage employment. The combination of affordable housing and moderate risk makes it a stable, quiet choice.

2040608010025.973.75556.636.822.159.830.650.5Tax25.9Cost73.7Safety55Health56.6Schools36.8Income22.1Risk59.8Water30.6Weather50.549.6/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Gladwin County DNA

Foverall

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

Gladwin County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (73.7/100) but notably weak in Income (22.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
25.9-26.1
Cost
73.7+25.700000000000003
Safety
55
Health
56.6
Schools
36.8-17.200000000000003
Income
22.1-28.9
Risk
59.8+12.799999999999997
Water
30.6-27.4
Weather
50.5
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$162,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$690/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$162,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$27,600/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $55,349/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

23.5

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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Robertson County
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Nearby counties

Midland County
Michigan
52.1
Clare County
Michigan
43.4
Ogemaw County
Michigan
43.1
Arenac County
Michigan
52.6
Roscommon County
Michigan
47.3
Bay County
Michigan
39.1
Isabella County
Michigan
34.9
Saginaw County
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32

Deep Dives

Gladwin County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Gladwin County

via TaxByCounty

Gladwin taxes stay moderate nationally

Gladwin County's effective tax rate of 1.183% sits just slightly above the national median of 1.098%, placing it right around the 54th percentile. This means the typical Gladwin homeowner pays closer to average American property taxes than most other Michigan counties.

Right in Michigan's middle

At 1.183%, Gladwin's effective rate is nearly identical to Michigan's state average of 1.166%, putting it squarely in the middle of the pack among 83 counties. Its median property tax of $1,813 runs about 14% below the state median of $2,102.

Among the lowest in the region

Gladwin's 1.183% rate makes it one of the more affordable counties in central Michigan, below Genesee (1.398%) and Gratiot (1.271%). Only Hillsdale County to the south offers comparable tax relief.

What a typical home costs

On a median home valued at $153,200, Gladwin homeowners pay approximately $1,813 per year in property taxes. Those with mortgages pay roughly $1,859 annually, while outright owners pay about $1,755.

Review your assessment

Even in lower-tax counties, some homeowners find themselves overassessed compared to recent comparable sales. Filing an appeal with Gladwin County's assessor could potentially reduce your tax burden further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gladwin County

via IncomeByCounty

Gladwin households earn well below national average

Gladwin County's median household income of $55,576 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $19,200—a significant 25.7% shortfall. This places Gladwin among the lower-earning counties nationally.

Gladwin ranks below Michigan's state average

At $55,576, Gladwin's median household income falls notably below Michigan's state average of $64,304, a difference of almost $8,700. The county's per capita income of $32,413 also lags the state average of $35,451.

Gladwin among the lower earners in the region

Gladwin's $55,576 median household income trails most comparable Michigan counties, ranking below Genesee ($60,673), Gratiot ($61,128), and Huron ($56,963). Only Gogebic County ($49,672) and Houghton County ($56,573) approach Gladwin's income level.

Housing costs remain favorable in Gladwin

Gladwin's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio is among the lowest in the dataset, meaning housing consumes less than 15% of median earnings. With a median home value of $153,200, the county offers relatively affordable homeownership compared to its income levels.

Maximize limited savings in Gladwin County

Gladwin households at the median $55,576 benefit from low housing costs, freeing up roughly 85% of income for other needs and savings. Prioritizing even small contributions to savings accounts builds financial resilience and opens pathways to future investment.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Gladwin County

via CrimeByCounty

Gladwin County Outperforms National Safety Benchmarks

Gladwin County boasts a total crime rate of 1,025.1 per 100,000 residents, less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This impressive performance earns the county a safety score of 98.4. Residents enjoy a environment significantly more secure than the typical American community.

A Leader in Michigan Safety

Gladwin County ranks high for safety in Michigan, with its 98.4 score exceeding the state average of 97.8. Its total crime rate of 1,025.1 is also lower than the Michigan average of 1,371.8. This indicates that Gladwin is one of the more tranquil counties in the state.

Comparing Gladwin to its Neighbors

Gladwin is considerably safer than neighboring Genesee County, where crime rates are twice as high. It also maintains a lower total crime rate than Gratiot County’s 1,418.1. These numbers establish Gladwin as a regional leader in public safety.

Analyzing Violent and Property Crime

The county reports 247.4 violent crimes and 777.7 property crimes per 100,000 residents. Both figures are well below the national averages of 369.8 and 2,015.7, respectively. The data shows that property theft is the most common concern, though it remains rare compared to national trends.

Maintaining a Secure Home

Even in safe areas like Gladwin, basic security measures like locking doors and windows are essential. Consider joining a local neighborhood watch to support the four reporting agencies that keep the county safe. Simple precautions ensure that Gladwin’s low property crime rate stays that way.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Gladwin County

via WeatherByCounty

The midpoint of Michigan weather

Gladwin County averages 45.7°F annually, which is about 8 degrees cooler than the national median. It serves as a transitional climate between the southern plains and northern forests.

Matching the Michigan state average

Gladwin’s 45.7°F average perfectly matches the Michigan statewide average. Its 34.0 inches of precipitation is also nearly identical to the state mean of 34.5 inches.

Colder than the southern tier

Gladwin is about two degrees cooler than Genesee County to the southeast. It sees more snow than Eaton but significantly less than the 88 inches found in Crawford to the north.

Balanced seasons with snowy peaks

The county experiences 8 days of extreme heat over 90°F during its 69.6°F July average. Winters feature 48.5 inches of snow and a January average of 20.9°F.

Prepare for typical Michigan winters

The 48.5-inch snow total requires standard winter maintenance like snow blowers and salt. A winter average of 23.4°F means heating systems should be serviced annually to ensure efficiency.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Gladwin County

via SoilByCounty

Alfisols and Loamy Landscapes

Gladwin County features Alfisols with a dominant loamy texture. The average pH is 5.30, which perfectly matches the state average but remains more acidic than the national median of 6.5.

Easy Workability with High Sand

With 69.5% sand and 10.9% clay, this soil is exceptionally easy to till and work. The sand-heavy mix promotes rapid drainage, though the clay content provides necessary structural stability for roots.

Healthy Organic Levels Above National Benchmarks

Organic matter content is 12.83%, far exceeding the 2.0% national average. However, the available water capacity of 0.153 in/in is lower than the state benchmark, suggesting a need for consistent irrigation during dry spells.

Reliable Drainage for Stable Building

These soils are well drained and belong to hydrologic group C. This makes the land excellent for residential foundations and crops that cannot tolerate standing water.

Cool Season Success in Zone 5b

Falling in zone 5b, Gladwin County is perfect for cool-season crops like carrots and kale. The well-drained loam provides an excellent foundation for a productive home vegetable patch.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Gladwin County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging Turf Maintenance in Gladwin

With a lawn difficulty score of 47.5, Gladwin County sits below the national median and the Michigan state average of 60.1. Maintaining a green lawn in Hardiness Zone 5b requires more active management than in neighboring southern counties.

Cooler Climates and Steady Rainfall

The county receives 34.0 inches of precipitation, which is almost exactly the state average, but only sees 8 extreme heat days per year. While the 2,274 growing degree days support steady growth, the shorter season means a tighter window for repair and renovation.

Neutralizing Acidic Loam Soils

The local soil is quite acidic with a pH of 5.30, which is well below the ideal range of 6.0 to 7.0 for healthy grass. Because the soil is well-drained loam with 69.5% sand, lime applications are essential to raise the pH and unlock nutrients for the turf.

Managing 100% Abnormally Dry Conditions

The entire county is currently classified as abnormally dry, following 41 weeks of drought over the past year. Homeowners must prioritize supplemental irrigation during these dry spells to prevent the sandy loam from drying out completely.

Hardy Grasses for Northern Climates

Target late May for seeding once the frost risk passes on May 9th, choosing cold-hardy Fine Fescues or Bluegrass blends. These varieties handle the Zone 5b winters and the early October frost dates better than more sensitive species.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gladwin County's county score?
Gladwin County, Michigan has a composite county score of 49.6 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 Gladwin County rank among counties in Michigan?
Gladwin County ranks #41 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 Gladwin County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Gladwin County is $1,867, with an effective tax rate of 1.15%. This earns Gladwin County a tax score of 25.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Gladwin County?
The median household income in Gladwin County, Michigan is $55,349 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Gladwin County earns an income score of 22.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Gladwin County, Michigan a good place to live?
Gladwin County scores 49.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #41 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Gladwin 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 Gladwin 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.