Newaygo County's composite score of 68.8 meaningfully exceeds the national median of 50.0, positioning it among more livable American counties. This solid national standing is driven by strong affordability and reasonable tax burdens.
2 / 5
Matching Michigan's county performance level
Newaygo's 68.8 score nearly matches Michigan's state average of 68.7, placing it right at the state's typical county performance level. It ranks in the middle tier among Michigan's diverse county profiles.
3 / 5
Affordability and reasonable taxes coexist here
Newaygo shines with a cost score of 79.3, offering median home values of $178,300 and rent averaging just $882 monthly. A tax score of 69.9 backed by a 1.151% effective rate provides solid financial value.
4 / 5
Limited income opportunity and missing data
Newaygo's median household income of $61,931 yields an income score of 23.8, suggesting limited wage growth pathways. Safety, health, educational quality, and environmental data remain unavailable for fuller assessment.
5 / 5
Right fit for affordable, stable small-town life
Newaygo County suits families and workers prioritizing modest housing costs and reasonable taxes in a quiet setting. It appeals to remote workers and those with income from outside the county seeking affordable living.
Newaygo County's composite score of 68.8 meaningfully exceeds the national median of 50.0, positioning it among more livable American counties. This solid national standing is driven by strong affordability and reasonable tax burdens.
Matching Michigan's county performance level
Newaygo's 68.8 score nearly matches Michigan's state average of 68.7, placing it right at the state's typical county performance level. It ranks in the middle tier among Michigan's diverse county profiles.
Affordability and reasonable taxes coexist here
Newaygo shines with a cost score of 79.3, offering median home values of $178,300 and rent averaging just $882 monthly. A tax score of 69.9 backed by a 1.151% effective rate provides solid financial value.
Limited income opportunity and missing data
Newaygo's median household income of $61,931 yields an income score of 23.8, suggesting limited wage growth pathways. Safety, health, educational quality, and environmental data remain unavailable for fuller assessment.
Right fit for affordable, stable small-town life
Newaygo County suits families and workers prioritizing modest housing costs and reasonable taxes in a quiet setting. It appeals to remote workers and those with income from outside the county seeking affordable living.
Score breakdown
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🏛69.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Newaygo's effective tax rate of 1.151% sits just below the national median of 1.099%, placing it near the center of the national distribution. The median annual property tax of $2,052 is about 24% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting affordable property values in the county.
Slightly below Michigan average
Newaygo's 1.151% effective rate falls just shy of Michigan's 1.166% average, ranking it in the middle cohort of the state's counties. This near-parity position makes Newaygo typical for Michigan property owners.
Moderate taxes among regional peers
Newaygo's 1.151% rate sits between Montcalm (1.075%) and Oceana (1.143%), occupying the middle ground in the west-central Michigan tax spectrum. The county avoids both extreme tax relief and steep burdens.
What $178,300 home costs annually
A Newaygo County homeowner with a median-valued property pays approximately $2,052 in annual property taxes. When mortgage-related adjustments are included, the total reaches about $2,266 per year.
Appeal if your assessment is high
Newaygo homeowners should confirm their assessment aligns with recent comparable property sales in their area. If your property was reassessed at a value above its fair market worth, file an appeal with the assessor for potential tax relief.
Newaygo residents spend 17.1% of income on rent, exceeding the national average of 16.3% while earning $12,824 less than U.S. median households. This gap reflects above-average cost pressure relative to local earning power, suggesting some housing affordability challenge.
Slightly above Michigan's midpoint
Newaygo's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Michigan's 16.3% state average by a narrow margin, placing it just outside the state's most affordable tier. The county ranks in Michigan's middle affordability band, neither particularly strained nor especially favorable for renters.
Middle ground in a mixed region
Newaygo's $882 rent sits midway between Montcalm ($867) and Muskegon ($960), with a 17.1% burden that falls between Montcalm's best-in-class 16.0% and Muskegon's 18.1%. The county's positioning reflects a balanced but slightly stretched rental market compared to its most competitive peers.
Housing takes modest but notable share
Newaygo's $61,931 median income supports $882 monthly rent (17.1%) and $868 ownership costs (16.8%), both slightly above the efficient 16% threshold. This modest but consistent strain means residents here retain slightly less discretionary income than the most affordable Michigan counties.
A reasonable fit for average-earning movers
Newaygo's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio signals moderate affordability—manageable for those earning near or above the county median, but tight for lower earners. Compare this burden to your current housing cost situation to determine if Newaygo offers meaningful financial relief or represents a lateral move.
Newaygo County's median household income of $61,931 falls about $12,800 below the national median of $74,755. This 17% gap reflects moderate income challenges compared to the typical U.S. household.
Below Michigan's average county income
At $61,931, Newaygo County's median household income trails Michigan's county average of $64,304 by roughly $2,400. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier of Michigan's 83 counties by household earnings.
Similar income to nearby rural counties
Newaygo's median income of $61,931 closely matches Missaukee ($61,868) and trails Montcalm ($64,892) by a modest margin. Monroe County to the southeast and Oakland County further away earn substantially more.
Efficient housing costs boost budgets
Newaygo's rent-to-income ratio of 17.1% ranks among the lowest in the comparison, keeping housing affordable for typical households. With a median home value of $178,300, homeownership remains within reach for families earning the county median.
Low housing burden enables saving
Because housing costs stay just above 17% of income in Newaygo, residents have meaningful opportunity to save and invest. Establishing a regular savings plan and exploring tax-advantaged retirement accounts can help compound wealth over time.
Newaygo County's 76.6-year life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years by two months, placing it in the healthier tier of American counties. The 18.0% poor/fair health rate aligns closely with the national average of 18%, indicating typical health challenges across the county.
Slightly above Michigan's state average
At 76.6 years, Newaygo residents live 0.3 years longer than Michigan's state average of 76.3 years, a small but positive edge. The 7.0% uninsured rate exceeds Michigan's 6.4% average, meaning more Newaygo residents lack coverage than typical for the state.
Mid-range provider access, solid outcomes
Newaygo offers 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 225 mental health providers per 100,000, placing it at the middle of neighboring county comparisons. The county's relatively strong life expectancy suggests these provider levels are adequate for its population's needs.
Above-average uninsured rate is main gap
Newaygo's 7.0% uninsured rate means roughly 1 in 14 residents lack health coverage, higher than the state average and a barrier to preventive care. The county's moderate provider availability means uninsured residents may delay care or face challenges accessing mental health services.
Close the coverage gap for better health
If you're uninsured in Newaygo, visit Healthcare.gov or apply for Michigan Medicaid to access the county's available providers. Getting covered protects your family from unexpected costs and ensures you can use the mental health and primary care services your county offers.
Newaygo's disaster risk slightly exceeds national average
Newaygo County's composite risk score of 47.07 sits just below the national average, earning a "Relatively Low" rating that reflects modest natural disaster exposure. The county's risk profile is comparable to the typical U.S. county, with moderate vulnerabilities across multiple hazard types.
Below Michigan's average risk level
Newaygo's 47.07 score ranks it slightly below Michigan's average of 49.56, positioning the county in the safer half of the state's communities. This places Newaygo among Michigan's more protected counties, with hazard exposure below most of the state.
Middle ground between safer and riskier neighbors
Newaygo's 47.07 score sits between Montcalm County (56.87) to the east and Oceana County (33.72) to the west, reflecting a transition zone in west-central Michigan risk levels. Muskegon County (70.10) to the north presents notably higher exposure.
Tornado and flood risks are primary concerns
Tornado risk of 45.36 and flood risk of 60.08 are Newaygo's highest hazard exposures, with wildfire risk at 44.82 adding a third consideration. These three hazards account for most of the county's moderate composite risk score.
Standard coverage plus flood insurance recommended
Newaygo County homeowners should obtain standard homeowners insurance with tornado/wind riders and evaluate flood risk carefully based on property location. Residents in mapped flood zones should secure separate flood insurance, while others in flood-prone areas may want to add coverage as an extra precaution.