countyscore
50.8
County Score
Cost of Living 83.7Disaster Risk 62.3Safety 58.8

County Report Card

About Iosco County, Michigan

Matching National Quality Levels

Iosco County earns a composite score of 50.3, placing it right at the national median of 50.0. This indicates a quality of life that is very typical of the American experience.

Competitive Within Michigan

Iosco outperforms the state average of 47.1 by more than three points. It stands as a more affordable and stable alternative to Michigan's more urbanized regions.

Exceptional Housing Affordability

The county shines with a cost score of 85.7, driven by low median home values of $122,900. Renters also find relief here, with median gross rents averaging just $659 per month.

Low Incomes and School Scores

Economic opportunity is the main hurdle, reflected in an income score of 10.7 and a median income of $47,777. The school score of 16.1 also suggests a need for educational investment.

Ideal for Retirees or Remote Workers

Low housing costs and a solid risk score make Iosco a haven for those with outside income sources. It is less suited for families dependent on local high-paying jobs or premium school districts.

2040608010039.283.758.854.516.111.962.339.352Tax39.2Cost83.7Safety58.8Health54.5Schools16.1Income11.9Risk62.3Water39.3Weather5250.8/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Iosco County DNA

Foverall

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

Iosco County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (83.7/100) but notably weak in Income (11.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
39.2-12.799999999999997
Cost
83.7+35.7
Safety
58.8
Health
54.5
Schools
16.1-37.9
Income
11.9-39.1
Risk
62.3+15.299999999999997
Water
39.3-18.700000000000003
Weather
52
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$142,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$719/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$142,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$28,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $50,066/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.8

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
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Nearby counties

Alcona County
Michigan
60.9
Arenac County
Michigan
52.6
Ogemaw County
Michigan
43.1
Oscoda County
Michigan
54.3
Huron County
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54.8
Alpena County
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52.4
Gladwin County
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49.6
Bay County
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39.1

Deep Dives

Iosco County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Iosco County

via TaxByCounty

Iosco among America's lowest-taxed counties

At 1.06%, Iosco County's effective tax rate places it in the bottom 30% of U.S. counties for property taxes. The median property tax of just $1,304 is 52% below the national median of $2,690, making Iosco exceptionally affordable.

Iosco ranks lowest in Michigan

Iosco County has the lowest effective property tax rate in Michigan at 1.06%, well below the state average of 1.17%. Its median tax of $1,304 is 38% lower than Michigan's county average of $2,102.

Iosco tax burden minimal in region

Iosco's 1.06% rate is the lowest among its central and northern Michigan neighbors, significantly undercutting Ionia County (1.17%) and Kalkaska County (0.89% actually ties Iosco's low standing regionally). Iosco residents enjoy some of the state's most favorable tax conditions.

A $122,900 home costs just $1,304 annually

With a median home value of $122,900 and Iosco's 1.06% effective rate, the typical homeowner pays $1,304 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,407, adding $103 in mortgage-related fees.

Even low-tax counties warrant assessment review

Though Iosco residents enjoy low property taxes overall, individual assessments can still be overvalued relative to comparable homes. Reviewing your assessment periodically ensures you're not paying more than your property's actual market value warrants.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Iosco County

via IncomeByCounty

Iosco faces significant income gap

Iosco County's median household income of $47,777 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $27,000—a substantial 36% shortfall. This gap places Iosco among the nation's lower-earning counties.

Iosco is Michigan's income laggard

At $47,777, Iosco's median household income ranks among the lowest in Michigan, falling $16,527 below the state average of $64,304. The county faces persistent economic challenges that depress household earning power compared to peer counties.

Iosco significantly trails all nearby counties

Iosco's $47,777 income lags every neighboring county in the sample, from Ingham ($64,354) to Iron County ($53,614) and Kalkaska ($60,365). The county's economic isolation results in wages substantially below even its most economically challenged neighbors.

Rents strain tight household budgets

Despite a 16.6% rent-to-income ratio that appears manageable, Iosco's low median income of $47,777 means rental households have limited discretionary income for other essentials. Home values of $122,900 remain accessible but stretch already-tight budgets further.

Emergency funds first, then investing

Iosco households should prioritize building 3–6 months of emergency savings before pursuing aggressive investments, given lower income stability. Once emergency reserves are solid, even small regular contributions to retirement accounts compound meaningfully over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Iosco County

via CrimeByCounty

Iosco County Offers Strong National Security

Iosco County features a safety score of 98.5, indicating a high level of protection for its residents. The total crime rate of 951.8 per 100,000 is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. Five local reporting agencies ensure consistent monitoring and response across the county.

Exceeding the Michigan Safety Average

Iosco County’s safety score of 98.5 ranks it above the Michigan state average of 97.8. Its total crime rate of 951.8 stays well below the state average of 1,371.8. These numbers confirm the county is one of the safer regions in the state’s northern landscape.

A Safer Alternative in the Region

Iosco County is significantly more secure than Kalkaska County, which reports a higher crime rate of 1,767.5. It also maintains a lower overall rate than Isabella County’s 1,732.4. Residents enjoy a more peaceful environment than many of their regional counterparts.

Violent Crime Matches State Averages

The violent crime rate of 312.0 per 100,000 is nearly identical to the Michigan average of 314.8. Property crime is relatively low at 639.8, especially when compared to the national average of 2,015.7. Most reported incidents involve property rather than personal safety.

Protect Your Property and Peace

Securing your home with modern locks and outdoor lighting is a simple way to deter property crime. Joining a neighborhood watch program can further enhance the security of your local community. Awareness remains the best tool for maintaining Iosco’s high safety rating.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Iosco County

via WeatherByCounty

Iosco stays cooler than the national average

Iosco County maintains an average annual temperature of 45.0°F, significantly lower than the national median. This northern Michigan climate offers a crisp alternative to warmer regions across the country.

Typical Michigan weather on the Huron shore

The county's 45.0°F average sits just below the Michigan state average of 45.7°F. It represents the transition point between the warmer southern mainland and the colder northern woods.

Drier and cooler than its state peers

With 32.5 inches of annual precipitation, Iosco is slightly drier than the state average of 34.5 inches. Its lakeside location helps moderate July highs to a comfortable 69.0°F.

Mild summers met by snowy winter months

Residents enjoy a gentle summer with only 6 days reaching 90°F or higher. However, winter brings 49.2 inches of snowfall and average temperatures of just 22.8°F.

Prepare for snow and moderate cooling needs

Reliable snow removal equipment is essential for handling nearly 50 inches of annual accumulation. While summers are mild, standard HVAC systems help manage the few humid weeks when temperatures peak.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Iosco County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Sands Along the Coast

Iosco County’s soil averages a pH of 5.31, aligning almost perfectly with the Michigan state average but remaining quite acidic compared to the 6.5 national median. This lower pH reflects the county's northern character and its influence from local forest litter.

Dominantly Sandy Soil Mix

With 68.8% sand, Iosco’s soil is highly porous and lightweight. The low 12.0% clay content means the soil warms up quickly in the spring but may struggle to hold onto fertilizers without careful management.

High Organic Matter in Sandy Plots

Organic matter is impressively high at 14.91%, far exceeding the national 2.0% benchmark. However, an available water capacity of 0.156 in/in means the soil drains quickly, making consistent moisture management crucial for high-yield gardening.

Rapid Water Movement Near the Lake

Official drainage class data is limited here, but the 68.8% sand content suggests rapid drainage is the norm. Gardeners should expect soil to dry out faster than in clay-heavy counties to the south.

Garden Success in Zone 5b

Zone 5b gardeners in Iosco can find great success with blueberries and other acid-loving shrubs that thrive in sandy, low-pH soils. Adding compost can help bridge the gap in water retention for more sensitive vegetable crops.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Iosco County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging Conditions Along the Lake

Iosco County presents a difficult lawn environment with a score of 45.5, falling below both state and national averages. Hardiness zone 5b requires tougher grass varieties to survive the harsher winters and shorter growing windows.

Low Energy for High Growth

With only 2,173 growing degree days, lawns here grow more slowly than their southern neighbors. Annual precipitation of 32.5 inches is slightly below the state average, meaning supplemental watering is often necessary during the peak of summer.

Sandy Soil Needs Acid Correction

The soil is dominated by 68.8% sand, which drains quickly but lacks the nutrients found in heavier soils. A pH level of 5.31 indicates high acidity, so regular lime treatments are essential to reach the target range of 6.0-7.0.

Severe Dry Spells Impacting Turf

Lawns suffered through 46 weeks of drought in the past year, and 91.1% of the county currently remains abnormally dry. Prioritize water conservation by using mulch mowers to return moisture and nitrogen directly to the soil surface.

Wait for the Mid-May Thaw

Frost risks persist until May 16, making late spring the ideal time to start new growth. Fine Fescues are excellent choices for this climate and soil, provided they are established before the early October frost.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Iosco County's county score?
Iosco County, Michigan has a composite county score of 50.8 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 Iosco County rank among counties in Michigan?
Iosco County ranks #33 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 Iosco County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Iosco County is $1,359, with an effective tax rate of 0.96%. This earns Iosco County a tax score of 39.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Iosco County?
The median household income in Iosco County, Michigan is $50,066 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Iosco County earns an income score of 11.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Iosco County, Michigan a good place to live?
Iosco County scores 50.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #33 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Iosco 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 Iosco 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.