Menominee County

Michigan · MI

#18 in Michigan
72.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Menominee County, Michigan

Top-tier livability by national standards

Menominee County scores 73.1 out of 100, placing it in the 46th percentile nationally and well above the national median of 50. This Upper Peninsula county demonstrates superior livability despite rural and coastal geography.

Highest among these eight counties

At 73.1, Menominee County significantly exceeds Michigan's state average of 68.7 and outscores all other featured counties in this analysis. It represents one of Michigan's most livable communities by composite measure.

Exceptional affordability across all metrics

Menominee County excels with a cost score of 86.3—the highest among these eight counties—featuring the lowest median home value at $142,700 and lowest gross rent at $675/month. Its tax score of 73.3 and 1.030% effective rate further enhance financial accessibility.

Income levels are notably lower

The county's income score of 19.7 reflects a median household income of $55,688, the lowest among these eight counties. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable for complete evaluation.

Best for ultra-budget-conscious residents

Menominee County is ideal for retirees and cost-conscious families with fixed incomes seeking the most affordable housing and taxes available in this group. It offers exceptional value for those prioritizing financial security over income-earning potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.3Cost86.3SafetyComing SoonHealth75.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.7Risk55.6WaterComing Soon
🏛73.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠86.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼19.7
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
55.6
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

Menominee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Menominee County

via TaxByCounty

Menominee's rate sits below state average

Menominee County's 1.030% effective tax rate runs below Michigan's 1.166% state average and ranks among the nation's more affordable options. The median annual tax of $1,470 falls nearly 45% short of the national median of $2,690, partly due to the county's lower median home value of $142,700.

Menominee ranks lowest in median tax

With a 1.030% effective rate and just $1,470 in median annual taxes—the lowest in this eight-county sample—Menominee County substantially outpaces Michigan's state average of 1.166% and median tax of $2,102. Residents enjoy the county's lowest absolute tax burden here.

Lowest median tax in the Upper Peninsula

Menominee's $1,470 median tax trails all comparison counties; even with Marquette and Mecosta's lower rates (1.000% and 0.996%), their higher home values push taxes up. Menominee combines a competitive rate with the region's lowest median home value for maximum affordability.

Typical homeowner pays just $1,470

On a median home value of $142,700, Menominee County homeowners pay approximately $1,470 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that obligation rises to $1,721; without, it falls to $1,313.

Low taxes don't mean perfect assessments

Even in Michigan's most affordable counties, property overvaluation occurs, and leaving an inflated assessment unchallenged wastes money annually. Check whether your assessed value reflects current market conditions and file an appeal if your home is overvalued relative to recent comparable sales.

Cost of Living in Menominee County

via CostByCounty

Menominee: Exceptional Housing Value

Menominee County delivers the strongest housing affordability in this cohort, with residents spending just 14.6% of income on rent—well below national comfort levels and exceptional compared to most American markets. Even with a modest median household income of $55,688, the county's $675 monthly rent creates genuine housing security for lower-income households.

Michigan's Most Affordable Option

Menominee County ranks among Michigan's most affordable destinations, with a rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% significantly below the state average of 16.3%. The county's $675 median rent represents the lowest in this comparison group and stands $198 below Michigan's state average of $873.

Clear Value Leader in Region

Menominee County dramatically undercuts neighboring counties, with rent $86 below Manistee and $192 below Marquette, making it the unquestionable value champion. The median home value of $142,700 also ranks as the lowest in this cohort, offering exceptional homebuying affordability for price-conscious buyers.

Ownership and Rental Both Ultra-Cheap

Menominee County renters pay $675 monthly while homeowners spend $664—making ownership marginally cheaper but both remarkably affordable. This 14.6% income allocation to housing is the lowest in the entire comparison group, freeing up resources for other household needs.

Best Budget for Michigan Relocators

Menominee County is the clear choice for budget-conscious relocators seeking maximum housing affordability in Michigan, with rents and ownership costs far below state averages. Before moving, verify local job availability in your field, then compare Menominee's exceptional 14.6% affordability against pricier counties to calculate your relocation savings.

Income & Jobs in Menominee County

via IncomeByCounty

Menominee lags far behind national income

Menominee County's median household income of $55,688 ranks among the lowest profiled, falling $19,067 or 25.5% below the national median of $74,755. This substantial gap places the county in the lowest decile nationally and reflects severe economic challenges including population decline and limited employment opportunities. Addressing wage gaps remains critical for the county's future.

Michigan's lowest-income surveyed county

At $55,688, Menominee County ranks among Michigan's 10 lowest-income counties out of 83, trailing the state average of $64,304 by $8,616. The county's median income represents approximately the 12th percentile statewide. Persistent economic challenges including population losses and job scarcity define the county's income struggle.

Menominee struggles among peers

Menominee County ($55,688) ranks lowest among all eight surveyed counties, falling well below Mecosta ($57,774) by $2,086 and trailing Mackinac ($58,598) by $2,910. The county's significant income gap versus Marquette ($64,675) shows a $9,000 differential—the largest spread among regional peers. This disparity underscores Menominee's unique economic disadvantages.

Housing offers rare affordability bright spot

Menominee County's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among all surveyed counties, providing renters substantial income relief compared to peers. The median home value of $142,700—the lowest of the eight counties—requires just 2.6 years of household income for ownership. Housing affordability is a critical asset in an otherwise economically challenged county.

Maximize low cost of living advantage

Menominee County's exceptionally affordable housing ($142,700 median) and lowest rent-to-income ratio create a rare wealth-building advantage despite modest $55,688 incomes. Prioritize homeownership to lock in housing costs while building equity; every payment builds wealth on affordable property. With housing costs manageable, redirect any available surplus toward emergency savings and retirement accounts.

Health in Menominee County

via HealthByCounty

Menominee County leads on longevity

Menominee County residents live 78.4 years, notably above the national average of 76.4 years. Despite a 17.5% poor or fair health rate, the strong life expectancy reflects solid underlying health outcomes and population resilience.

Among Michigan's healthiest counties

At 78.4 years, Menominee County's life expectancy ranks among Michigan's best, exceeding the state average of 76.3 years by over a year. This advantage positions the county as a health success story within the state.

Regional longevity champion

Menominee County's 78.4-year life expectancy is the highest in the region, surpassing Marquette (78.0 years) and Mackinac (77.2 years). However, its primary care provider density of 34 per 100,000 residents is the lowest among peers, creating a healthcare access disparity.

Good coverage, limited provider density

Menominee County's uninsured rate of 6.3% closely mirrors Michigan's state average of 6.4%, ensuring broad coverage. Yet the county's 34 primary care providers and 122 mental health specialists per 100,000 residents represent the tightest healthcare workforce in the region, potentially creating wait times and access barriers.

Maintain coverage and plan ahead

Menominee County residents should verify annual insurance coverage and plan ahead for healthcare needs given the county's limited provider density. Those uninsured can explore marketplace plans at healthcare.gov or contact local health departments for coverage assistance and care coordination.

Disaster Risk in Menominee County

via RiskByCounty

Menominee County sits near national average risk

With a composite risk score of 44.43 and a "Relatively Low" rating, Menominee County hovers just below the national median for natural disasters. The county's risk profile reflects typical American exposure to multiple hazard types.

Below Michigan's average, mid-range statewide

Menominee County's 44.43 score edges below Michigan's state average of 49.56, placing it slightly better-protected than average Michiganders. Among the state's 83 counties, Menominee ranks in the safer half.

Lower risk than Marquette, safer than some peers

Menominee County's 44.43 score substantially undercuts Marquette County (69.78) and Midland County (71.95) in the same region. The county ranks among Michigan's safer Upper Peninsula and north-central communities.

Flooding and tornadoes pose manageable threats

Flood risk (44.75) and tornado risk (31.42) represent Menominee County's highest hazards, while wildfire risk (33.33) ranks moderate. The county faces zero hurricane risk and minimal earthquake danger (8.30).

Balanced preparedness covers Menominee threats

Homeowners should secure flood insurance for low-lying or riverside properties and maintain a weather emergency plan. Standard homeowners coverage combined with seasonal tornado awareness provides appropriate protection for this relatively balanced-risk county.

ByCounty Network

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