countyscore
35.7
County Score
Health 58.8Soil Quality 52.7Water Quality 52.3

County Report Card

About Isabella County, Michigan

Struggling to Meet National Benchmarks

Isabella County scores 35.7 overall, falling far short of the national median of 50.0. This lower percentile ranking indicates significant room for growth across several metrics.

Below the State Baseline

The county's composite score of 35.7 is lower than the Michigan average of 47.1. It currently faces more socio-economic challenges than the typical Michigan county.

Solid Healthcare and Water Quality

Health services are a bright spot with a score of 58.8. The county also maintains respectable water quality, scoring 52.3 on that specific dimension.

Low Incomes and Safety Concerns

Isabella faces hurdles with a low income score of 22.3 and a safety score of 28.2. These figures suggest that economic mobility and public safety are key areas for improvement.

Best for Health-Oriented Residents

This county is a fit for those who prioritize proximity to healthcare facilities above other livability factors. It is less ideal for those seeking high-safety areas or high local wages.

2040608010020.242.928.258.827.522.333.952.350Tax20.2Cost42.9Safety28.2Health58.8Schools27.5Income22.3Risk33.9Water52.3Weather5035.7/100
This county
National avg
5 below average

Isabella County DNA

Foverall

How Isabella County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Isabella County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Property Tax (20.2/100), though Health (58.8/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
20.2-31.8
Cost
42.9
Safety
28.2-26.8
Health
58.8+8.799999999999997
Schools
27.5-26.5
Income
22.3-28.7
Risk
33.9-13.100000000000001
Water
52.3
Weather
50
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Think property taxes are too high in Isabella County?

Many homeowners in Isabella 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

$165,100

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$863/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$165,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $53,759/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

10.9

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 Isabella County with Jackson County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Mecosta County
Michigan
42.1
Midland County
Michigan
52.4
Gratiot County
Michigan
43.1
Clare County
Michigan
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Montcalm County
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Gladwin County
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Osceola County
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Saginaw County
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Deep Dives

Isabella County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Isabella County

via TaxByCounty

Isabella's taxes run slightly above U.S. median

Isabella County's effective tax rate of 1.32% exceeds the national median of 1.10%, placing it around the 60th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $2,180 is 19% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Isabella's below-average home values.

Isabella moderately above Michigan average

At 1.32%, Isabella's effective rate runs 13% above Michigan's statewide average of 1.17%. The county's median tax of $2,180 exceeds the state average of $2,102 by just 4%, indicating relatively balanced statewide positioning.

Isabella middle-ground among central peers

Isabella's 1.32% rate sits squarely between lower-taxed Ionia County (1.17%) and higher-taxed Ingham County (1.86%). The county represents a moderate tax position within its central Michigan region.

A $165,100 home costs $2,180 annually

With a median home value of $165,100 and Isabella's 1.32% effective rate, the typical homeowner pays $2,180 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,246, adding $66 in mortgage-related assessment fees.

Isabella homeowners can appeal assessments

Properties in Isabella County are regularly overassessed relative to comparable sales, creating appeal opportunities for homeowners. Requesting a professional assessment review could identify overvaluation and reduce your annual property tax obligation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Isabella County

via CostByCounty

Isabella's rents squeeze limited household incomes

Isabella County's 19.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Michigan's highest-burden counties, placing it 3 percentage points above the state average of 16.3%. With a median household income of $53,759—28% below the national median—renters here allocate disproportionate resources to the $863 monthly rent that sits below state average but strains local resources.

Isabella County bears elevated housing burden

At 19.3%, Isabella County's rent-to-income ratio ranks in Michigan's upper tier of cost-burdened counties, placing it among the least affordable despite modest rents. The gap between local incomes and housing costs signals a structural affordability challenge that extends across both rental and owner-occupied markets.

Isabella's rents high for its income level

Isabella's $863 median rent sits between Iosco ($659) and Ionia ($840), but paired with the county's lowest median income of $53,759, it generates the highest rent-to-income ratio in this peer group at 19.3%. This positioning makes Isabella one of Michigan's least affordable markets for lower-income households.

Housing squeezes Isabella household budgets

Isabella renters spend roughly $10,356 annually on housing at $863 monthly—19.3% of a constrained $53,759 income, leaving limited room for other necessities. Owner-occupants pay $931 monthly for homes valued at $165,100, and combined with the rent-to-income strain, Isabella represents a challenging affordability environment across tenure types.

Isabella: consider affordability before relocating

If you're moving to Isabella County without substantial income advantages, carefully assess whether the 19.3% housing burden aligns with your financial stability—it's among Michigan's tightest. The county's median income of $53,759 suggests you'll want to secure employment above local averages or bring significant savings to absorb the housing cost pressure.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Isabella County

via IncomeByCounty

Isabella income trails national benchmark

Isabella County's median household income of $53,759 sits $20,996 below the national median of $74,755, representing a 28% gap. The county ranks in the lower-income range nationally.

Isabella below Michigan average

At $53,759, Isabella's median household income falls $10,545 short of Michigan's state average of $64,304. The county faces economic pressure typical of smaller, post-industrial Michigan communities.

Isabella among region's lower earners

Isabella's $53,759 income edges above Iosco ($47,777) and Iron ($53,614) but trails Ingham ($64,354), Kalkaska ($60,365), and Jackson ($65,004). The county occupies the lower-middle tier of surrounding regions.

Housing costs limit financial flexibility

Isabella households devote 19.3% of income to rent, among the highest in the sample, while median home values of $165,100 demand substantial financial commitment. Combined housing burden squeezes discretionary income for lower-earning households.

Strategic budgeting enables investing

Isabella residents earning below-state-average incomes should craft detailed budgets to free up 5–10% of earnings for retirement and investment accounts. Even modest monthly contributions compound significantly over time and build financial resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Isabella County

via CrimeByCounty

Isabella County Maintains Moderate Safety Levels

Isabella County holds a safety score of 97.3, staying slightly below the national average for security. The total crime rate of 1,732.4 per 100,000 residents remains lower than the national average of 2,385.5. Local law enforcement agencies work actively to manage the county's public safety profile.

Trailing Slightly Behind Michigan Averages

Isabella County’s safety score of 97.3 is just below the Michigan average of 97.8. However, its total crime rate of 1,732.4 is higher than the state average of 1,371.8. These figures highlight the need for continued focus on local crime prevention programs.

Crime Rates Higher Than Local Neighbors

Isabella County faces more crime than nearby Ionia County, which has a low rate of 606.0. It also shows more incidents than Ingham County’s rate of 1,001.0. However, Isabella is significantly safer than Kalamazoo County, which reports a rate of 3,892.1.

Property Crime Drives Local Statistics

Property crime accounts for 1,461.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, representing the vast majority of local offenses. The violent crime rate is 271.0, which is fortunately lower than the Michigan average of 314.8. These stats indicate that while property theft is a concern, violent incidents are less frequent.

Proactive Security Helps Lower Crime

With property crime as the primary concern, residents should consider installing alarm systems and outdoor cameras. Simple habits like locking windows and vehicles can drastically reduce the chance of opportunistic theft. Working together with neighbors can help improve the county's overall safety score.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Isabella County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Versatile Hub for 6,700 Students

Isabella County features 21 public schools across 6 districts, serving a total enrollment of 6,739 students. The infrastructure is built on 10 elementary and 8 high schools, supporting a wide range of age groups.

Balancing Performance and Investment

The county maintains a graduation rate of 78.9% and spends $7,280 per pupil, nearly matching the Michigan average. Its composite school score of 48.3 reflects a stable educational environment relative to neighboring regions.

Mt. Pleasant Leads the District Mix

Mt. Pleasant City School District is the dominant provider, managing 10 schools and 3,378 students. Charter schools like Renaissance Public School Academy account for roughly 9.5% of the county's total school options.

A Blend of Town and Country

The county balances 12 town schools with 9 rural locations, resulting in an average school size of 337 students. Mt. Pleasant Senior High is the largest campus, providing a more traditional high school experience for 1,058 students.

Home Search in a College Town

Families can find diverse housing near Mt. Pleasant's urban schools or Shepherd's more rural campuses. Consider Isabella County if you want the resources of a central hub paired with the intimacy of smaller local districts.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Isabella County

via RiskByCounty

Isabella faces moderate risk profile

Isabella County's composite risk score of 66.06 exceeds Michigan's state average of 49.56, placing it in the relatively low risk category but with noticeably higher exposure than average. This mid-range profile means residents need solid preparedness but face fewer extreme threats than higher-risk counties.

Mid-range risk for Michigan

Isabella ranks in Michigan's middle tier for natural disaster exposure, avoiding the highest-risk category but exceeding many peer counties. The county's tornado (80.25) and flood (71.47) risks drive most of its overall score.

Comparable to similar-sized counties

Isabella's 66.06 score places it between Ionia County (55.85) and Jackson County (76.46), reflecting moderate regional risk levels in mid-Michigan. The county experiences similar tornado and flood threats to surrounding communities.

Tornadoes and floods dominate hazard profile

Isabella's tornado risk of 80.25 and flood risk of 71.47 are the county's dominant natural hazards, with both scoring significantly above low-risk thresholds. Earthquake risk (36.96) represents a secondary but measurable concern for residents.

Secure flood and storm coverage now

Isabella residents should purchase separate flood insurance immediately, as standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage—critical given the county's 71.47 flood score. Develop a tornado shelter plan and ensure your home is structurally sound for severe spring weather.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Isabella County

via WaterByCounty

Isabella County Earns C Grade for Safety

Isabella County recorded 5 health violations in the past five years, resulting in a C grade for drinking water. Its violation rate of 13.4 per 100,000 residents is considerably better than the statewide average of 35.7.

Watershed Assessment Status Remains Pending

Isabella County's lakes and streams are not yet included in the federal §303(d) assessment program. Residents should look to the Chippewa River Watershed plans for localized ecological health data.

Intense Monitoring Activity with 15,487 Records

Researchers maintain 41 monitoring sites, producing a massive 15,487 measurements over the last five years. This high data density, primarily focused on physical and microbiological groups, provides a robust baseline for safety.

Chippewa River Running Below Typical Levels

The Chippewa River near Mount Pleasant is currently flowing at 271 cfs, which is 80% of its long-term mean. Reduced flow levels can lead to higher water temperatures and changes in dissolved oxygen.

Leverage Strong Local Monitoring Data

The vast amount of monitoring data in Isabella County allows for early detection of microbiological issues. Residents should stay informed on Chippewa River health, especially during the current period of below-average flow.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Isabella County

via WeatherByCounty

Moderate temperatures in the Michigan heartland

Isabella County records an average annual temperature of 47.8°F. While this is cooler than the national median, it is relatively warm for the Great Lakes region.

Warmer than the average Michigan county

At 47.8°F, Isabella sits more than two degrees above the Michigan state average of 45.7°F. This central location avoids the most extreme cold found further north.

Wet and warm compared to neighbors

The county receives 35.5 inches of precipitation, slightly more than the state average of 34.5 inches. It experiences 13 extreme heat days, indicating a more intense summer than coastal counties.

Hot July days and cold winters

Summer highs reach an average of 72.2°F in July, though snowfall data for the region is currently limited. The winter months average 25.2°F, which is milder than northern Michigan peers.

Central air is a priority here

With 13 days of 90°F heat, air conditioning is a vital investment for resident comfort. Homeowners should also prepare for 35.5 inches of annual rain with proper basement drainage systems.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Isabella County

via SoilByCounty

The Mucky Histosols of Isabella

Isabella County is dominated by Histosols—soils comprised primarily of organic materials—with an average pH of 5.43. This is more acidic than the national 6.5 median but typical for Michigan's rich, dark wetland soils.

High Sand with Peaty Texture

The soil contains 63.5% sand and only 9.4% clay, giving it a loose, 'mucky' feel. This combination allows for easy tilling in drier periods but can become very soft when saturated.

Concentrated Organic Matter for Growth

With 10.36% organic matter, Isabella's soil is very rich compared to the 2.0% national average. The available water capacity is a bit lower at 0.153 in/in, so managing water levels in these mucky soils is key to preventing crop stress.

Managing Very Poorly Drained Lands

These soils are classified as very poorly drained and fall into hydrologic group A/D, meaning they are naturally wet. Extensive drainage management is often required to make this land viable for traditional row crops or building foundations.

Root Crops Thrive in Zone 6a

Isabella's muck soils are famous for producing high-quality onions, celery, and carrots that love organic-rich earth. If you are in zone 6a, use these dark soils to your advantage for a high-yielding, intensive vegetable garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Isabella County

via LawnByCounty

A Mid-Michigan Growth Challenge

Isabella County scores a 52.0 for lawn difficulty, indicating a more challenging environment than the state average of 60.1. Located in zone 6a, the county offers moderate winters but presents unique soil and moisture hurdles for homeowners.

High Heat and Consistent Rain

The county experiences 13 extreme heat days annually, nearly double the state average, which can cause cool-season grasses to go dormant. However, 35.5 inches of annual precipitation provides a helpful buffer against this thermal stress during the summer months.

Managing Muck and Poor Drainage

This area features muck textures that are very poorly drained, creating a high risk for root rot and fungal diseases. With a pH of 5.43 and 63.5% sand, the soil requires both pH correction and structural aeration to manage water movement.

Current Dry Conditions Persist

100.0% of the county is currently classified as abnormally dry, following a year with 44 weeks of drought conditions. Homeowners must use efficient irrigation and avoid heavy traffic on lawns during these prolonged dry spells to prevent permanent damage.

Maximize the Growing Season

The risk of frost ends by April 30, providing a long window for Tall Fescue to establish deep roots. Ensure all seeding is completed by October 20 to avoid the first fall frost and ensure winter survival.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Isabella County's county score?
Isabella County, Michigan has a composite county score of 35.7 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 Isabella County rank among counties in Michigan?
Isabella County ranks #74 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 Isabella County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Isabella County is $2,180, with an effective tax rate of 1.32%. This earns Isabella County a tax score of 20.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Isabella County?
The median household income in Isabella County, Michigan is $53,759 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Isabella County earns an income score of 22.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Isabella County, Michigan a good place to live?
Isabella County scores 35.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #74 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Isabella 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 Isabella County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.