Lenawee County

Michigan · MI

#69 in Michigan
64.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Lenawee County, Michigan

Lenawee Surpasses National Averages

Lenawee County's composite score of 65.4 runs 31% above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating solid livability relative to most U.S. counties. The performance reflects competitive costs and moderate tax burdens.

Below Michigan's State Average

Lenawee County's 65.4 score falls slightly short of Michigan's state average of 68.7, positioning it in the lower half of Michigan counties. The shortfall reflects income-related challenges within the county's profile.

Affordable Housing and Moderate Taxes

Lenawee County's cost score of 75.4 supports median home values of $181,100 and rents of $965 monthly, while tax score of 64.8 reflects an effective rate of 1.33%. These fundamentals provide meaningful cost-of-living advantages.

Income Levels and Tax Burden Are Constraints

The income score of 27.1 and median household income of $67,013 lag behind comparable Michigan communities, while the effective tax rate of 1.33% is the highest among these eight counties. Complete data on safety, health, and schools remain unavailable.

Best For: Cost-Conscious Households

Lenawee County suits budget-conscious families and individuals seeking affordable housing with modest tax obligations, even if local earning potential is limited. The county rewards those with income sources outside the local job market or retirees with fixed resources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax64.8Cost75.4SafetyComing SoonHealth75.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.1Risk30.1WaterComing Soon
🏛64.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠75.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼27.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
75.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
30.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Lenawee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lenawee County

via TaxByCounty

Lenawee's tax rate ranks among Michigan's highest

Lenawee County's 1.332% effective tax rate stands well above Michigan's state average of 1.166% and significantly exceeds the national median of roughly 1.1%. The median property tax of $2,412 approaches the national median of $2,690, despite Lenawee's lower median home value of $181,100 compared to the national median of $281,900.

Lenawee taxes rank highest among these eight

At 1.332% effective rate, Lenawee County ranks in the upper tier of Michigan's 83 counties for tax burden. The median tax of $2,412 reflects the county's notably elevated rate, placing Lenawee homeowners at a significant disadvantage compared to most Michigan peers.

Lenawee taxes substantially heavier than regional peers

Lenawee's 1.332% rate towers over Lapeer's 0.954% and Kent's 1.140%, making it the highest-tax county in this comparison group by a wide margin. A typical Lenawee homeowner pays roughly $227 more annually than a Kent County resident with a similarly valued home.

Median Lenawee home costs $2,412 yearly

A property valued at Lenawee's median of $181,100 generates an annual tax bill of approximately $2,412 under the county's 1.332% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay about $2,461, while those without mortgages pay closer to $2,324.

Lenawee homeowners should aggressively appeal assessments

Given Lenawee's high tax rate, an inflated assessment creates outsized financial damage—every $1,000 in overvaluation costs $13.32 yearly instead of the state average of $11.66. Carefully compare your assessment to recent comparable sales and file an appeal if your property's assessed value exceeds its market value.

Cost of Living in Lenawee County

via CostByCounty

Lenawee County renters feel the national squeeze

Lenawee County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio runs 2.8 percentage points above the national average, signaling affordability pressure despite a median household income of $67,013 that falls $7,742 shy of the US norm. Renters here dedicate a notably larger share of modest earnings to housing costs.

Lenawee County lags Michigan's affordability standard

At 17.3%, Lenawee County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Michigan's statewide 16.3% average by one full percentage point, placing it among the less affordable regions. The median rent of $965/month runs $92 above the state median, compounding affordability challenges for households earning below statewide norms.

Lenawee's income constraints limit affordability options

Lenawee County's $965 median rent sits moderately between Lake County ($863) and Lapeer County ($959), yet its median income of $67,013 ranks lower than Lapeer ($76,228) and substantially below Leelanau ($91,943). This income deficit is the key affordability driver in this southeast Michigan county.

Both pathways demand substantial income shares

Lenawee renters pay $965/month (17.3% of income), while homeowners spend $1,019/month (18.2% of income), with median home values at $181,100. Unlike some counties where homeownership eases burdens, Lenawee homeowners face proportionally heavier costs than renters, reflecting stretched local markets.

Lenawee County suits income-matched relocators

Lenawee County's southeast Michigan location offers modest costs but demands realistic income expectations—this is best suited for those earning stable $65,000+ incomes or enjoying supplemental retirement resources. Job seekers should vet local employment carefully before relocating to this economically modest region.

Income & Jobs in Lenawee County

via IncomeByCounty

Lenawee County moderately below national average

Lenawee County's median household income of $67,013 is 10% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle range nationally. The county's diversified manufacturing and agricultural economy supports working-class earnings for most residents.

Above Michigan average but modest gains

At $67,013, Lenawee County's median household income exceeds Michigan's state average of $64,304 by 4%, though the margin is modest. The county demonstrates stability typical of rural-to-suburban Michigan communities with industrial manufacturing roots.

Lower-middle tier among surveyed counties

Lenawee County's $67,013 median income ranks below Lapeer County ($76,228) and Kent County ($80,390) but exceeds Lake County ($49,680) and Luce County ($54,338). The county occupies a moderate position within Michigan's income distribution.

Affordable housing supports working households

Lenawee County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio indicates solid housing affordability, well below the 30% threshold. The median home value of $181,100 is accessible relative to the $67,013 median income, enabling homeownership for households with stable employment.

Build savings through consistent discipline

With moderate income and reasonable housing costs, Lenawee County residents can allocate resources to savings and retirement planning. Start with employer-sponsored plans, then explore individual retirement accounts and modest investment strategies to compound wealth over decades.

Health in Lenawee County

via HealthByCounty

Lenawee County near national health average

Lenawee County's 76.0-year life expectancy is just slightly below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. At 16.2% reporting poor or fair health, the county experiences chronic disease burden typical of much of America.

Slightly below Michigan average

Lenawee County's 76.0-year life expectancy falls just shy of Michigan's 76.3-year state average, indicating middling health outcomes. The 16.2% poor/fair health rate aligns with state trends.

Lower-middle regional performer

Lenawee County's 76.0-year life expectancy ranks below stronger performers like Livingston (79.7 years) and Kent (78.5 years), though ahead of Lake (75.5 years). With just 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, access is constrained compared to most peers.

Low uninsured rate, limited primary care

Lenawee County's 5.4% uninsured rate beats the state average of 6.4%, yet only 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents create access bottlenecks. The county compensates with 273 mental health providers per 100,000—among the highest in this cohort.

Lenawee residents: check your coverage

With 5.4% of residents uninsured and limited primary care capacity, having active coverage is crucial. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact Lenawee County's health department to review insurance options and locate available primary care appointments.

Disaster Risk in Lenawee County

via RiskByCounty

Lenawee County faces elevated risk

With a composite risk score of 69.94, Lenawee County ranks as relatively low risk but substantially above Michigan's state average of 49.56. The county's exposure is driven primarily by tornado and flood hazards.

Upper-middle risk tier in Michigan

Lenawee County's composite risk score of 69.94 places it in Michigan's higher-risk counties, though still below the state's most exposed areas. The county's south-central location exposes it to both tornado and seismic activity.

Comparable to other Thumb and south-central counties

Lenawee County's risk score of 69.94 is similar to Lapeer County (66.41) and Livingston County (73.47), positioning it as part of Michigan's moderate-to-elevated risk corridor. All three counties share elevated tornado exposure.

Tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes threaten here

Lenawee County faces tornado risk of 84.38, flood risk of 71.37, and earthquake risk of 62.21—all substantially above state averages. The combination of these three hazards makes the county one of Michigan's most multifaceted disaster-risk areas.

Comprehensive coverage is strongly recommended

Lenawee County's triple exposure to tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes requires robust insurance: standard homeowners coverage, wind/hail riders, NFIP flood insurance, and earthquake coverage for vulnerable structures. Reinforced foundations and safe rooms offer practical protection.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.