CountyScore

Hillsdale County

Michigan · MI

#33 in Michigan
70
County Score

County Report Card

About Hillsdale County, Michigan

Hillsdale ranks among nation's top 30%

Hillsdale County's score of 71.6 places it in the 71st percentile nationally, exceeding the U.S. median of 50.0 by a substantial margin. This strong performance ranks it among America's more livable counties overall.

Outperforms Michigan statewide average

At 71.6, Hillsdale exceeds Michigan's state average of 68.7, ranking among the top performers in the state's county standings. This places it among Michigan's best-positioned communities for overall livability.

Low taxes and strong housing values

Hillsdale excels with a tax score of 75.2—the lowest effective rate at 0.964%—and a cost score of 81.1 offering median rents of $801/month and home values of $170,500. This combination of low taxes and affordable housing creates significant financial advantage.

Incomes remain below regional potential

The income score of 23.1 reflects a median household income of $60,869, limiting high-wage opportunity compared to aspirational benchmarks. Data remains incomplete for safety, health, schools, and other important livability factors.

Excellent value for pragmatic families

Hillsdale County is ideal for families and retirees prioritizing tax efficiency and affordable housing without requiring high local incomes. Its strong composite score and low-tax profile make it one of Michigan's best overall values for cost-conscious residents.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.2Cost81.1SafetyComing SoonHealth72.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.1Risk50WaterComing Soon
🏛75.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡50
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 Hillsdale County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

St. Clair County
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Median income: $37,981
Sitka City and Borough
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70
Median income: $101,207
Lee County
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70
Median income: $36,860
Pike County
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Median income: $84,184

Deep Dives

Hillsdale County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hillsdale County

via TaxByCounty

Hillsdale offers exceptional tax value

At 0.964%, Hillsdale County has the lowest effective tax rate in this entire group and sits in the 30th percentile nationally, well below the median of 1.098%. Its median home value of $170,500 means homeowners enjoy both low rates and reasonable property values.

Michigan's most tax-efficient county

Hillsdale's 0.964% effective rate ranks among Michigan's lowest, trailing only Grand Traverse (0.979%) in this group and running 17% below the state average of 1.166%. The median property tax of $1,644 is the second-lowest profiled here.

Southern Michigan's best value

Hillsdale's 0.964% rate makes it one of Michigan's most affordable jurisdictions for property taxes, outperforming Genesee (1.398%) and Gratiot (1.271%). Only Grand Traverse offers comparable relief, and Hillsdale does so with more modest property values.

What a typical home costs

On a median home valued at $170,500, Hillsdale homeowners pay approximately $1,644 per year in property taxes. Mortgaged properties run about $1,696 annually; mortgage-free homes cost roughly $1,562.

Still worth checking your assessment

Even in low-tax counties, some properties are assessed above fair market value—particularly if you haven't sold recently. File an appeal with Hillsdale County's assessor and provide comparable sales data to potentially lower your bill further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hillsdale County

via CostByCounty

Below-average affordability burden

Hillsdale County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.8% sits comfortably below the national average, meaning renters here retain more of their earnings than typical Americans. With a median household income of $60,869 and median rent of $801, the county achieves solid housing affordability despite incomes trailing the national median of $74,755.

Slightly better than Michigan average

Hillsdale ranks marginally below Michigan's state rent-to-income average of 16.3%, offering modest affordability gains over most of the state. At $801 per month, median rent undercuts the state average of $873 by $72, providing meaningful monthly relief.

Affordable middle tier in the region

Hillsdale's $801 rent positions it between Gratiot ($808) and Genesee ($936), offering competitive affordability for south-central Michigan. The median household income of $60,869 also clusters close to Gratiot ($61,128) and Genesee ($60,673), reflecting similar economic profiles.

15.8% of earnings toward rent

Renters spend $801 monthly while homeowners face $850 in costs, both reasonable portions of the $60,869 median household income. Hillsdale demonstrates that modest-income counties can achieve acceptable affordability through restrained housing costs.

Solid choice for Midwest affordability

Hillsdale County offers balanced housing costs and community stability for working families throughout south-central Michigan. Compared to pricier Grand Traverse, Hillsdale delivers meaningful savings; compared to cheaper Gladwin, it offers more robust job and income opportunities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hillsdale County

via IncomeByCounty

Hillsdale income falls short of national median

Hillsdale County's median household income of $60,869 lags the national median of $74,755 by roughly $13,900—an 18.6% gap. The county ranks in the lower-middle range nationally for household earnings.

Hillsdale slightly below Michigan's state average

At $60,869, Hillsdale's median household income sits just beneath Michigan's state average of $64,304, a difference of about $3,400. The per capita income of $31,996 also lags the state average of $35,451.

Hillsdale near parity with regional peers

Hillsdale's $60,869 median household income ranks close to Genesee ($60,673) and Gratiot ($61,128), but trails Grand Traverse ($79,486). Among comparable Michigan counties, Hillsdale occupies a stable middle tier.

Affordable housing strengthens financial position

Hillsdale's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio keeps housing costs well below the 30% affordability threshold, supporting financial health. With a median home value of $170,500, homeownership remains accessible for families earning the county median.

Harness Hillsdale's stable income for savings

Hillsdale households at the median $60,869 benefit from favorable housing costs at 15.8%, freeing up more than 84% of income for other priorities. Investing in retirement accounts and building emergency reserves accelerates wealth growth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hillsdale County

via HealthByCounty

Hillsdale's health challenges mount

At 75.3 years, Hillsdale County's life expectancy lags the U.S. average of 78.9 by 3.6 years. With 17.6% of residents reporting poor or fair health—second-highest among these eight counties—Hillsdale faces significant disease and chronic condition burdens.

Below state average in health metrics

Hillsdale's 75.3-year life expectancy falls below Michigan's 76.3-year state average, ranking in the lower third. The county's 6.6% uninsured rate exceeds Michigan's 6.4% average, adding cost barriers to healthcare access.

Struggles alongside similar counties

Hillsdale's 75.3-year life expectancy trails Gratiot (75.5), Houghton (77.6), and nearly all neighboring counties. Its critical shortage of just 20 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represents among the state's worst access to foundational medical care.

Provider shortage limits preventive care

Hillsdale's 20 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—second-lowest among the eight—creates severe access barriers and long wait times. Combined with a 6.6% uninsured rate and 176 mental health providers per 100,000, many residents struggle accessing basic care before conditions worsen.

Expand coverage in Hillsdale

Hillsdale's above-average uninsured rate means neighbors delay or skip care due to cost. Visit healthcare.gov or call your county health department to explore Michigan Medicaid, subsidized marketplace plans, or community health center options for affordable care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hillsdale County

via RiskByCounty

Hillsdale's risk sits right at national baseline

Hillsdale County's composite risk score of 49.97 places it in the "Relatively Low" category, nearly identical to Michigan's state average of 49.56. The county's risk profile reflects balanced exposure across tornado, flood, and moderate earthquake hazards. This baseline positioning suggests Hillsdale residents face typical Midwest natural disaster risks.

Average risk for Michigan

Hillsdale ranks at the exact center of Michigan's risk distribution, with a 49.97 score matching the state average almost precisely. This mid-tier position places Hillsdale among the state's most typical counties for disaster exposure. Significantly riskier counties like Genesee contrast sharply with safer upper-peninsula locations.

Comparable risk to adjacent southern Michigan

Hillsdale's 49.97 score exceeds Gladwin County (40.27) but falls below Gratiot County (54.13) and Huron County (59.03). Within its immediate region in southern Michigan, Hillsdale represents moderate risk—neither particularly safe nor notably exposed. The variation reflects Hillsdale's position in a transition zone between lower-risk agricultural regions and higher-risk coastal areas.

Tornadoes and earthquakes are primary threats

Tornado risk of 78.53 is Hillsdale's most significant hazard, reflecting the county's location in Michigan's tornado-prone south-central region. Earthquake risk of 50.51 is unusually high for Michigan and likely reflects proximity to seismic activity zones along the eastern Great Lakes region. Flood risk of 56.46 is moderate and should not be overlooked.

Prepare for tornadoes and ground shaking

Hillsdale residents should prioritize tornado preparedness, including a designated safe room or basement shelter and knowledge of local warning systems. Earthquake insurance should be considered given the surprisingly high 50.51 seismic risk score; standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage. Flood insurance is advisable, particularly for properties in lower-lying areas or near streams.

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.