CountyScore

Ingham County

Michigan · MI

#82 in Michigan
58.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Ingham County, Michigan

Above Average, Below Peers

Ingham County scores 57.6 on the CountyScore index, well above the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the 65th percentile nationally. Still, it trails Michigan's average of 68.7, suggesting the county is solid by national standards but faces headwinds within its own state.

Middle-of-Pack Ranking

Among Michigan's counties, Ingham ranks below the state average, sitting in the lower-middle tier. This reflects a mix of competitive tax rates (1.86%) and affordable housing (median rent $1,058/month), but weaker income growth challenges the overall profile.

Affordable Housing, Modest Taxes

Ingham excels in housing affordability with a Cost Score of 71.5 and median home values at $187,500. The county's effective tax rate of 1.86% provides reasonable relief for property owners compared to higher-tax regions.

Income Growth Lags Behind

The Income Score of 25.4 reveals a significant challenge: the median household income of $64,354 trails both state and national patterns for growth. Limited data on health, education, and safety currently prevents a fuller picture of quality-of-life factors.

Budget-Conscious Families Seeking Stability

Ingham County suits individuals and families prioritizing affordable housing and low taxes over high earning potential. Its solid national standing makes it a stable choice for those who value economic predictability and don't require premium incomes or amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax49.9Cost71.5SafetyComing SoonHealth75.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.4Risk12.8WaterComing Soon
🏛49.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠71.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡12.8
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 Ingham County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fulton County
Georgia
58.4
Median income: $91,490
Montgomery County
Maryland
58.4
Median income: $128,733
Shelby County
Tennessee
58.4
Median income: $62,337
Gregg County
Texas
58.4
Median income: $64,809
Starr County
Texas
58.4
Median income: $38,182

Deep Dives

Ingham County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ingham County

via TaxByCounty

Ingham's tax rate tops national average

At 1.86%, Ingham County's effective property tax rate significantly exceeds the national median of 1.10%, placing it in the top 25% of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $3,488 is 30% higher than the national median of $2,690, despite a median home value $94,400 below the national average.

Highest taxes among Michigan counties

Ingham ranks as the most heavily taxed county in Michigan, with an effective rate of 1.86% versus the state average of 1.17%. Its median tax bill of $3,488 exceeds Michigan's county average of $2,102 by 66%.

Ingham stands out among central Michigan peers

Ingham's 1.86% rate dramatically outpaces nearby Ionia County at 1.17% and Isabella County at 1.32%. While Kalamazoo County (1.49%) runs higher than the state average, Ingham still taxes homeowners significantly more across the region.

A $187,500 home costs $3,488 annually

With a median home value of $187,500 and the county's 1.86% effective rate, the typical Ingham homeowner pays $3,488 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly more at $3,567 due to additional assessment fees.

Many Ingham homeowners could appeal taxes

Research shows that many property assessments in high-tax counties like Ingham exceed true market value, making formal tax appeals a viable option for homeowners. Consulting with a property tax professional could help you identify overassessment and reduce your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ingham County

via CostByCounty

Ingham's rent burden exceeds national norms

At 19.7%, Ingham County's rent-to-income ratio runs nearly 4 percentage points above the national average, meaning renters here dedicate a larger share of earnings to housing. The median rent of $1,058 per month sits 21% higher than Michigan's state average of $873, even though Ingham's median household income of $64,354 trails the national median of $74,755 by 14%.

Ingham ranks among Michigan's least affordable

Ingham County's 19.7% rent-to-income ratio places it in the upper tier of housing cost burden across Michigan's 83 counties, where the state average sits at 16.3%. This gap suggests Ingham residents face tighter affordability constraints than most of their state peers.

Costlier than nearby Ionia and Jackson

Ingham's $1,058 median rent significantly outpaces neighboring Ionia County ($840) and Jackson County ($958), making it the highest-rent county in this immediate region. While Ingham's median home value of $187,500 falls below Kalamazoo's $227,500 but above most peers, its elevated rent burden reflects tight rental supply relative to demand.

Rent consumes more of Ingham incomes

With $1,058 in median monthly rent against a $64,354 annual income, Ingham renters spend roughly $12,696 yearly on housing—or 19.7% of gross income. Owner-occupants pay $1,161 monthly, and with a median home value of $187,500, Ingham offers modest homeownership opportunities but remains a high-burden county for both renters and buyers.

Considering Ingham? Compare the full picture

If affordability is your priority, nearby Ionia County delivers comparable job markets with significantly lower rents ($840 vs. $1,058) and a rent-to-income ratio of just 13.7%. However, Ingham's urban amenities and median income of $64,354 may justify the premium for those who value community resources and access to services.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ingham County

via IncomeByCounty

Ingham trails U.S. income benchmark

Ingham County's median household income of $64,354 sits about $10,400 below the national median of $74,755. This gap places Ingham among the lower-earning counties nationally, though it's slightly above Michigan's state average of $64,304.

Right at Michigan's middle

Ingham ranks near the state median, earning virtually identically to Michigan's $64,304 average household income. The county's performance reflects broader economic patterns across Michigan, with neither significant advantage nor disadvantage.

Mixed fortunes in mid-Michigan

Ingham's $64,354 income sits between Jackson County ($65,004) to the south and Kalkaska County ($60,365) to the north. Nearby Kalamazoo County ($70,525) outpaces Ingham by over $6,000, reflecting stronger professional and manufacturing sectors there.

Rent affordable; homes stretch budgets

Ingham households spend 19.7% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability threshold, but median home values of $187,500 require substantial down payments and monthly mortgages. The county offers rental flexibility but signals tight homeownership economics for median-income families.

Build savings to bridge income gap

With incomes $10,000 below the national average, Ingham households benefit from disciplined saving and investment strategies to build long-term wealth. Consider automating retirement contributions and exploring low-cost index funds to compound earnings over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ingham County

via HealthByCounty

Ingham's life expectancy lags national average

Ingham County residents live to an average of 75.4 years, about 3 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 14.9% poor or fair health rate sits close to the national average of 15%, suggesting baseline health challenges consistent with the broader U.S. population.

Below average within Michigan

At 75.4 years, Ingham County's life expectancy falls 0.9 years short of Michigan's state average of 76.3 years. This places the county in the lower half of Michigan's 83 counties for health outcomes.

Stronger than some regional peers

Ingham County outperforms neighboring Iosco County (73.5 years) and Ionia County's 16.3% poor/fair health rate—though it trails Kalamazoo County's impressive 77.1 years. The county's mental health provider density of 519 per 100,000 residents exceeds most regional counterparts.

Good insurance access, strong provider base

Only 5.8% of Ingham County residents lack health insurance, below Michigan's 6.4% average, and the county boasts 116 primary care providers per 100,000—a strong ratio that supports routine medical care. However, reaching those providers requires navigating a diverse county that includes both urban and rural areas.

Check your coverage today

While 94.2% of Ingham County is insured, those without coverage have options. Visit healthcare.gov to explore plans, apply for Medicaid, or find free clinics in your area—ensuring you're never one medical emergency away from financial hardship.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ingham County

via RiskByCounty

Ingham faces above-average disaster risk

Ingham County's composite risk score of 87.25 places it well above Michigan's state average of 49.56, signaling elevated exposure to multiple natural hazards. This relatively moderate risk rating means residents should take precautions more seriously than the typical Michigan community.

Among Michigan's highest-risk counties

Ingham ranks near the top of Michigan counties for overall disaster risk, driven primarily by severe tornado and flood exposure. Only a handful of Michigan counties face comparable composite risk scores.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Ingham's 87.25 composite score significantly exceeds neighboring Ionia County (55.85) and Jackson County (76.46), making it one of the region's most hazard-exposed communities. The gap highlights Ingham's unique vulnerability profile within south-central Michigan.

Tornadoes and floods lead threats

Ingham's tornado risk score of 96.15 is exceptionally high—among the state's most dangerous—while flooding risk of 88.49 poses persistent threats to homes and infrastructure. Together, these two hazards account for the majority of the county's overall risk exposure.

Prioritize flood and storm coverage

Given extreme tornado and flood risks, Ingham residents should carry robust homeowners insurance with dedicated flood coverage, which standard policies don't include. Consider a safe room or shelter plan for tornado season and ensure your property drains properly to mitigate flood damage.

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.