countyscore
55.7
County Score
Cost of Living 86.9Disaster Risk 74.4Health 71

County Report Card

About Gogebic County, Michigan

High ranking in national context

Gogebic County achieves a composite score of 55.5, placing it comfortably above the national median of 50.0. This score indicates a high quality of life compared to the majority of U.S. counties.

A regional leader in Michigan

Surpassing the Michigan average of 47.1 by more than eight points, Gogebic is one of the state's stronger performers. Its balance of safety and low costs helps it stand out in the Upper Peninsula.

Unmatched cost of living

A cost score of 86.8 is anchored by a remarkably low median home value of $99,700 and rent of $577. The county also excels in environmental safety with a risk score of 74.4.

Tax and income hurdles

The county faces significant pressure from a 1.492% effective tax rate, resulting in a tax score of 13.1. Additionally, the income score of 13.8 reflects a lower median household income of $49,672.

Perfect for low-overhead lifestyles

This county is a premier choice for those seeking to maximize their purchasing power while enjoying high safety and health metrics. It is especially attractive to those with portable incomes who can navigate the high local tax rate.

2040608010013.786.967.8713416.774.456.649.9Tax13.7Cost86.9Safety67.8Health71Schools34Income16.7Risk74.4Water56.6Weather49.955.7/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Gogebic County DNA

Foverall

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

Gogebic County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (86.9/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (13.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
13.7-38.3
Cost
86.9+38.900000000000006
Safety
67.8+12.799999999999997
Health
71+21
Schools
34-20
Income
16.7-34.3
Risk
74.4+27.400000000000006
Water
56.6
Weather
49.9
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Think property taxes are too high in Gogebic County?

Many homeowners in Gogebic 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

$107,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$623/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$107,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$24,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $52,732/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

20.9

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
Compare Gogebic County with Choctaw County →Share on X

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Douglas County
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Lawrence County
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Wayne County
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Nearby counties

Iron County
Wisconsin
65.8
Ontonagon County
Michigan
63.6
Ashland County
Wisconsin
37.4
Vilas County
Wisconsin
65.6
Oneida County
Wisconsin
61
Price County
Wisconsin
61
Bayfield County
Wisconsin
59
Houghton County
Michigan
54

Deep Dives

Gogebic County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Gogebic County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional Safety in Gogebic County

Gogebic County is one of the safest regions in the country, with a total crime rate of just 753.6 per 100,000. This is nearly one-third of the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns an elite safety score of 98.8, reflecting its peaceful character.

A Safety Standard for Michigan

Gogebic’s safety score of 98.8 far exceeds the Michigan state average of 97.8. Its total crime rate is also roughly half of the statewide average of 1,371.8. Five dedicated reporting agencies work to maintain this high level of public security.

How Gogebic Compares Locally

Gogebic County maintains a very similar safety profile to its Upper Peninsula neighbor, Houghton County, which has a rate of 700.3. It is significantly safer than Lower Peninsula counties like Hillsdale or Gratiot. This regional safety is a hallmark of Michigan’s north country.

Low Rates Across All Crime Categories

Violent crime in Gogebic is remarkably low at 143.9 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 369.8. Property crime follows suit at 609.7, which is a fraction of the national 2,015.7 rate. Residents here face very low statistical risks for both person and property.

Protecting Your Peaceful Property

Low crime rates offer peace of mind, but home security should never be ignored. Installing motion lighting or a simple doorbell camera can provide extra layers of protection. Staying connected with local law enforcement helps preserve the high safety standards Gogebic is known for.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Gogebic County

via WeatherByCounty

A Northern Frontier Climate

Gogebic County records an average annual temperature of 40.2°F, placing it significantly below the U.S. national median. This continental climate remains far cooler than most of the country, reflecting its position at Michigan’s westernmost edge.

Colder Than the Michigan Average

The county's 40.2°F annual average sits well below Michigan’s state average of 45.7°F. It represents one of the coldest regions in the state, driven by its high latitude and Upper Peninsula location.

Leading the Region in Snowfall

With 185.5 inches of annual snow, Gogebic experiences far more accumulation than many of its Midwestern neighbors. It sees higher precipitation levels at 37.4 inches compared to the state average of 34.5 inches.

Severe Winters and Mild Summers

Winters are intense with a January average of 12.0°F, while summers remain cool with a July average of 66.1°F. The county only experiences 2 days of extreme heat per year where temperatures reach or exceed 90°F.

Prepare for Heavy Winter Impacts

Residents must invest in high-capacity snow removal equipment and heavy-duty winter gear to manage the 185.5 inches of annual snowfall. Heating systems are a critical year-round priority, while air conditioning is rarely needed given the mild summer highs.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Gogebic County

via SoilByCounty

Deeply Acidic Northern Soils

Gogebic County presents highly acidic soil with a pH of 3.79, far below the national median of 6.5. This extreme level of acidity reflects a landscape often dominated by water and unique northern mineral compositions.

Silty Profile with High Saturation

The soil contains 35.8% silt but very little sand (11.2%) or clay (3.9%). Because much of the dominant texture is classified as water, the land stays highly saturated throughout the year.

Massive Organic Matter Reserves

Organic matter is a staggering 56.69%, dwarfing the national average of 2.0% and the state average of 19.76%. The available water capacity of 0.413 in/in is double the state average, creating a massive moisture reservoir.

Managing Saturated Northern Lands

While specific drainage classes are not provided, the extremely high organic content and water capacity suggest persistent dampness. Land management here focuses on moisture-tolerant systems and avoiding soil compaction.

Hardy Crops for Zone 4b

In cold zone 4b, growers should choose acid-loving plants like blueberries or cranberries. The rich organic soil rewards those who plant species adapted to wet, acidic conditions.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Gogebic County

via LawnByCounty

Resilient Lawns in the Far North

Gogebic County matches the Michigan state average lawn difficulty score of 60.1, making it surprisingly manageable despite its northern location. In Hardiness Zone 4b, the challenge is not heat, but the short growing season and extreme winter cold.

Brisk Summers and High Moisture

The county receives a generous 37.4 inches of precipitation annually, exceeding the state average of 34.4 inches. With only 2 days of extreme heat over 90°F, cool-season grasses thrive with very little heat stress throughout the summer.

Extreme Acidity in Forested Soil

The soil pH is a very low 3.79, making it among the most acidic in the state and far from the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. Significant and repeated lime amendments are required to establish a traditional lawn in these conditions.

Abundant Natural Irrigation

Drought is rarely a concern here, with only 5 weeks of drought recorded in the past year. Current conditions show 0.0% of the area is dry, meaning natural rainfall usually covers all of the lawn's water requirements.

Timing the Short Growing Window

With a final spring frost on May 20th and a first fall frost on October 1st, the growing window is narrow. Perennial Ryegrass and Creeping Red Fescue are best suited for these Zone 4b conditions and should be seeded in early June.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gogebic County's county score?
Gogebic County, Michigan has a composite county score of 55.7 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 Gogebic County rank among counties in Michigan?
Gogebic County ranks #13 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 Gogebic County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Gogebic County is $1,535, with an effective tax rate of 1.43%. This earns Gogebic County a tax score of 13.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Gogebic County?
The median household income in Gogebic County, Michigan is $52,732 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Gogebic County earns an income score of 16.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Gogebic County, Michigan a good place to live?
Gogebic County scores 55.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #13 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Gogebic 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 Gogebic 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.