CountyScore

Gogebic County

Michigan · MI

#30 in Michigan
70.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Gogebic County, Michigan

Gogebic matches Michigan's competitive profile

Gogebic County's score of 68.7 ranks in the 68th percentile nationally, well above the U.S. median of 50.0. This performance reflects solid livability despite its rural Upper Peninsula location.

Right at Michigan's statewide average

At 68.7, Gogebic hits exactly Michigan's average composite score, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's county standings. This consistency demonstrates the county's competitiveness on livability measures.

Remarkable affordability across all metrics

Gogebic boasts the lowest housing costs among these eight counties: a cost score of 88.2, median rent of just $577/month, and median home values of $99,700. These exceptional prices make it the most affordable option for budget-conscious buyers and renters.

Income and tax rates present tradeoffs

The income score of 15.8 indicates a median household income of $49,672—the lowest in this group—reflecting limited local earning opportunities. The tax score of 60.3 with a 1.492% effective rate is higher than most peers, and safety, health, and school data remain unavailable.

Ideal for ultrabudget-conscious seekers

Gogebic County is best suited for those seeking the absolute lowest cost of living, particularly retirees on fixed incomes or remote workers needing minimal expenses. Its Upper Peninsula location and modest income levels mean it's less ideal for those dependent on local employment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60.3Cost88.2SafetyComing SoonHealth74.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.8Risk74.4WaterComing Soon
🏛60.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡74.4
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 Gogebic County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Franklin County
Alabama
70.5
Median income: $51,493
Lauderdale County
Alabama
70.5
Median income: $59,082
Holmes County
Florida
70.5
Median income: $48,236
Fayette County
Indiana
70.5
Median income: $56,659
Smith County
Kansas
70.5
Median income: $57,024

Deep Dives

Gogebic County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Gogebic County

via TaxByCounty

Gogebic has Michigan's steepest rates

At 1.492%, Gogebic County has the highest effective tax rate among the eight counties profiled here and sits in the 78th percentile nationally. However, its median home value of $99,700 is the lowest in the group, keeping the actual tax bill manageable at $1,488 annually.

Among Michigan's priciest tax rates

Gogebic's 1.492% effective rate ranks in Michigan's top quartile, exceeding the state average of 1.166% by a significant margin. This western Upper Peninsula county's median property tax of $1,488 reflects high rates applied to lower property values.

Highest rate in the Upper Peninsula

Gogebic's 1.492% rate substantially exceeds neighboring Houghton County (1.269%) and Ontonagon County peers. Only Genesee County in the Lower Peninsula comes close, making Gogebic an outlier in the region.

What a typical home costs

On a median home valued at $99,700, Gogebic homeowners pay roughly $1,488 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure climbs to about $1,866 annually; without one, it drops to approximately $1,290.

Challenge your assessment

Gogebic's high tax rate makes reassessment appeals particularly valuable—even a small reduction compounds significantly. Contact the county assessor to compare your assessed value against recent comparable sales in your area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Gogebic County

via CostByCounty

Bargain rents, modest incomes align well

Gogebic County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% is among the nation's most affordable, as renters spend significantly less of their income on housing than the U.S. average. With a median household income of $49,672—the lowest of these eight counties—the low rent environment ($577/month) makes the housing market genuinely accessible.

Michigan's affordability standout

Gogebic ranks well below Michigan's state rent-to-income average of 16.3%, making it one of the state's most affordable rental markets. The median rent of $577 is nearly $300 cheaper than the state average of $873, a gap that compounds savings over a year.

The most affordable option by far

Gogebic's $577 rent is dramatically lower than all comparable counties—Gladwin ($689), Gratiot ($808), and far below Grand Traverse ($1,215). Even accounting for lower incomes here, housing represents the smallest burden relative to earnings in this entire comparison group.

Housing takes just 13.9% of income

Renters spend $577 monthly and homeowners $660, both remarkably light loads against the $49,672 median household income. This county achieves genuine affordability by holding both sides of the housing market—rents and ownership costs—proportional to what residents actually earn.

Maximum affordability, real community tradeoffs

Gogebic County is unbeatable on housing cost, making it ideal for remote workers or retirees on fixed incomes seeking Midwest living. Be aware that lower incomes and an aging population reflect limited job growth, so remote work or other income sources are essential considerations.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gogebic County

via IncomeByCounty

Gogebic County faces a steep income gap

Gogebic County's median household income of $49,672 falls about $25,000 below the national median of $74,755—a striking 33.5% gap. This ranks among the lowest-earning counties in the nation.

Gogebic lags all Michigan counties significantly

At $49,672, Gogebic's median household income ranks among the lowest statewide, falling $14,600 short of Michigan's state average of $64,304. The per capita income of $34,085 also sits below the state average of $35,451.

Gogebic's income lowest among peer counties

Gogebic's $49,672 median household income trails every comparable county in the dataset, including Houghton ($56,573), Gladwin ($55,576), and Huron ($56,963). The county faces distinct economic headwinds relative to its regional peers.

Affordable housing offsets lower earnings

Gogebic's 13.9% rent-to-income ratio is among the nation's best, and the median home value of just $99,700 makes homeownership highly accessible. These favorable housing costs provide critical financial breathing room for lower-income households.

Low housing costs create savings opportunities

With housing consuming less than 14% of median income, Gogebic residents at $49,672 have substantial room to save beyond rent and mortgages. Building an emergency fund and exploring low-cost investment vehicles helps households work toward greater financial stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Gogebic County

via HealthByCounty

Gogebic holds slight national advantage

Gogebic County's life expectancy of 76.6 years sits just 2.3 years below the U.S. average of 78.9, a relatively strong showing. Yet 17.3% of residents report poor or fair health—the highest rate among these eight counties—signaling untreated disease or chronic conditions persist.

Slightly above Michigan baseline

Gogebic's 76.6-year life expectancy edges out Michigan's 76.3-year state average by a narrow 0.3 years, placing it in the middle tier of Michigan counties. With a 6.1% uninsured rate near the state average of 6.4%, healthcare access appears relatively balanced.

Mixed standing among regional peers

Gogebic's 76.6-year life expectancy outpaces Gladwin (74.0) but trails Grand Traverse (78.7) and Houghton (77.6). The county's 17.3% poor/fair health rate stands elevated against these neighbors, despite comparable provider availability.

Decent providers, poor reported health

Gogebic has 84 primary care providers and 225 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—solid numbers rivaling better-performing counties. The disconnect between provider supply and self-reported poor health suggests socioeconomic, lifestyle, or social determinant factors drive poor outcomes.

Ensure continuous coverage in Gogebic

Though Gogebic's uninsured rate matches state average, maintaining that coverage remains critical to improving health outcomes. Residents at 6.1% uninsured should verify their plans at healthcare.gov or contact their employer for open enrollment deadlines.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gogebic County

via RiskByCounty

Gogebic ranks among America's safest counties

Gogebic County's composite risk score of 25.60 places it in the "Very Low" category, significantly below both Michigan's state average of 49.56 and the national median. This upper-peninsula location benefits from geographic isolation and a hazard profile dominated by minimal earthquake and hurricane exposure. Residents here enjoy some of the lowest natural disaster risk in the entire Midwest.

Michigan's second-safest county

Gogebic ranks among the lowest-risk counties in Michigan, second only to a handful of similarly remote upper-peninsula locations. Its 25.60 score is less than half of Michigan's state average, reflecting remarkably low exposure across all major hazard categories. This positioning makes Gogebic one of the most disaster-resilient areas in the state.

Safer than surrounding upper-peninsula counties

Gogebic's 25.60 score places it slightly below Houghton County (24.30) and well below Grand Traverse County (65.65) in northern Michigan. Iron County and Marquette County, also in the upper peninsula, typically report similarly low-risk profiles. This consistent safety across the region reflects the upper peninsula's geographic distance from major storm and seismic zones.

Flooding is the only notable concern

Gogebic's flood risk of 30.18 is its highest hazard score; all other categories score below 20. Tornado, wildfire, earthquake, and hurricane risks are negligible by national standards. Snow and winter weather, while not captured in this risk model, remain the primary natural hazard residents should prepare for.

Basic precautions provide ample protection

Gogebic residents need standard homeowners insurance with attention to winter storm coverage rather than flood insurance or seismic reinforcement. Maintain gutters and proper drainage to prevent localized basement flooding during spring snowmelt and heavy rains. An annual roof inspection before winter will protect against snow-load damage, the primary weather threat in this region.

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.