CountyScore

Huron County

Michigan · MI

#44 in Michigan
68.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Huron County, Michigan

Huron ranks in top 30% nationally

Huron County scores 70.2, placing it in the 70th percentile nationwide and well above the U.S. median of 50.0. This Thumb-area county demonstrates strong livability on composite measures.

Slightly above Michigan's average ranking

At 70.2, Huron exceeds Michigan's state average of 68.7, positioning it solidly in the upper half of the state's county rankings. The county ranks among Michigan's more livable communities overall.

Outstanding affordability across housing market

Huron's cost score of 84.7 is among the highest in this group, featuring median rents of $743/month and home values of $141,300. The tax score of 67.4 reflects a moderate 1.241% effective rate, creating strong household financial advantage.

Modest incomes limit economic advancement

The income score of 20.6 corresponds to a median household income of $56,963, reflecting limited high-wage opportunities in the agricultural Thumb region. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain to be assessed.

Ideal for cost-conscious rural families

Huron County is best suited for families and retirees seeking maximum housing affordability and low taxes in a stable agricultural community. Its strong cost profile makes it an excellent value for those not dependent on high local incomes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67.4Cost84.7SafetyComing SoonHealth73.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.6Risk41WaterComing Soon
🏛67.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡41
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 Huron County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

La Plata County
Colorado
68.7
Median income: $85,296
Butts County
Georgia
68.7
Median income: $59,221
Adams County
Indiana
68.7
Median income: $63,128
Emmet County
Iowa
68.7
Median income: $65,181
Wichita County
Kansas
68.7
Median income: $71,282

Deep Dives

Huron County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Huron County

via TaxByCounty

Huron taxes sit slightly above average

Huron County's 1.241% effective tax rate runs above the national median of 1.098%, placing it in the 58th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,754 comes in 35% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Michigan's more modest home values.

Above Michigan's state average

At 1.241%, Huron's effective rate exceeds Michigan's state average of 1.166% by about 6%, positioning it in the upper-middle range among 83 counties. Its median property tax of $1,754 falls below the state median of $2,102.

Moderate costs for the thumb

Huron's 1.241% rate sits between Gladwin (1.183%) and Genesee (1.398%), offering a middle-ground option for Michigan's Thumb region. Gratiot County at 1.271% is nearly identical.

What a typical home costs

On a median home valued at $141,300, Huron homeowners pay approximately $1,754 per year in property taxes. Mortgaged homes run about $1,804 annually; mortgage-free homes cost roughly $1,724.

Appeal may reduce your tax bill

Huron County residents should verify their assessed values match current market conditions, especially if recent comparable sales suggest overvaluation. Filing an appeal with the county assessor could lower your annual property tax obligation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Huron County

via CostByCounty

Below-average rental burden

Huron County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.7% sits comfortably below the national average, enabling renters to retain more earnings than typical Americans. With a median household income of $56,963 and median rent of $743, the county achieves solid affordability in Michigan's Thumb region.

Better affordability than state average

Huron ranks below Michigan's state rent-to-income average of 16.3%, placing it among the state's more affordable rental markets. The median rent of $743 undercuts the state average of $873 by $130, delivering substantial monthly savings for tenants.

Rural affordability in the Thumb

Huron's $743 rent is the second-lowest in this comparison, topped only by Gogebic ($577) and undercutting Gratiot ($808) and Hillsdale ($801). The median household income of $56,963 clusters with other rural counties, reflecting agriculture-based economic patterns.

Just 15.7% of earnings toward housing

Renters spend $743 monthly while homeowners pay $688—making Huron one of the few counties where ownership costs run below rental costs. Against the $56,963 median household income, both pathways to housing remain accessible for working families.

Thumb region affordability standout

Huron County offers genuine housing affordability combined with rural Michigan living, ideal for remote workers or those seeking agricultural community roots. If you're comparing rural Michigan options, Huron balances costs better than Genesee while offering more job diversity than Gogebic.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Huron County

via IncomeByCounty

Huron County below the national income bar

Huron County's median household income of $56,963 falls about $17,800 short of the national median of $74,755—a 23.8% gap. The county ranks in the lower-earnings range nationally.

Huron trails Michigan's state income average

At $56,963, Huron's median household income sits notably below Michigan's state average of $64,304, a shortfall of about $7,300. The per capita income of $33,855 also underperforms the state average of $35,451.

Huron near Gladwin and Houghton in rankings

Huron's $56,963 median household income ranks just above Gladwin ($55,576) and Houghton ($56,573), but trails Genesee ($60,673) and Gratiot ($61,128). The county occupies the lower-middle tier among comparable Michigan counties.

Low housing costs support affordability

Huron's 15.7% rent-to-income ratio is among the most favorable in the dataset, keeping housing costs well under the 30% threshold. With a median home value of $141,300, homeownership remains accessible for families earning the county median.

Build savings with Huron's favorable housing

Huron households earning the median $56,963 retain over 84% of income after housing costs, creating meaningful opportunities for savings and investment. Establishing automatic transfers to savings accounts and exploring low-cost retirement options compounds wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Huron County

via HealthByCounty

Huron trails U.S. health benchmarks

Huron County's life expectancy of 76.6 years falls 2.3 years short of the U.S. average of 78.9. With 16.8% of residents in poor or fair health—matching Gladwin and above the national 12% benchmark—Huron reflects regional disease burden patterns.

Slightly above Michigan's state average

Huron's 76.6-year life expectancy marginally exceeds Michigan's 76.3-year state average by 0.3 years, placing it in the middle tier. The 7.0% uninsured rate edges slightly above Michigan's 6.4% average, suggesting modest cost barriers to care.

Mixed outcomes among regional peers

Huron's 76.6-year life expectancy matches Gogebic but trails Gratiot (75.5) and Houghton (77.6) in this cohort. Its 58 primary care providers per 100,000 falls below Grand Traverse but exceeds Gladwin and Hillsdale, indicating moderate access to foundational care.

Moderate access with coverage gaps

Huron's 58 primary care providers and 158 mental health providers per 100,000 residents provide baseline access, though below state leaders. The 7.0% uninsured rate suggests approximately 4,200 county residents lack coverage, potentially delaying diagnosis and treatment.

Close Huron's coverage gap

Huron's above-average uninsured rate of 7.0% means thousands of residents face healthcare affordability challenges. Explore Michigan Medicaid eligibility, marketplace subsidies, or community health centers at healthcare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to find affordable coverage options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Huron County

via RiskByCounty

Huron faces above-average risk nationally

Huron County's composite risk score of 59.03 places it in the "Relatively Low" category, exceeding Michigan's state average of 49.56 by roughly 10 points. The county's exposure is driven by flooding and hurricane risk, reflecting its position on Michigan's eastern Lake Huron shore. This above-average profile warrants thoughtful preparation and insurance planning.

Upper-third risk ranking in Michigan

Huron ranks in the upper third of Michigan's 83 counties for natural disaster risk, with its 59.03 score substantially above the state average. Several coastal and central Michigan counties exceed Huron's risk, while most upper-peninsula and western counties fall below it. Huron's position reflects its Great Lakes exposure and location in a moderate tornado zone.

Highest-risk county in the thumb region

Huron's 59.03 score exceeds neighboring Sanilac County and significantly surpasses inland counties like Gratiot (54.13) and Gladwin (40.27). Only Grand Traverse County (65.65) among nearby northern counties ranks higher, reflecting Huron's unique exposure as an eastern shore county. The pattern shows that Lake Huron proximity amplifies both flood and wind-related hazards.

Hurricane and flood risks define the county

Hurricane risk of 58.24 is Huron's most distinctive hazard, reflecting lake-effect wind intensification and potential tropical storm impacts from distant Atlantic hurricanes. Flood risk of 64.12 ranks second and stems from precipitation, snowmelt, and storm surge during major weather events. Tornado risk of 52.77 is moderate and should not be dismissed.

Lake-specific insurance and wind protection essential

Huron residents should carry flood insurance and ensure their homeowners policy covers wind damage from hurricanes and severe thunderstorms. Reinforced garage doors, impact-resistant windows, and tree trimming significantly reduce wind damage vulnerability during major storms. Properties near the lake or in wetland areas face elevated flood risk and warrant additional precautions.

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.