countyscore
46
County Score
Water Quality 86Health 66.9Disaster Risk 66.3

County Report Card

About Oceana County, Michigan

Just below the national median

Oceana County scores a 46.0, placing it slightly below the national median of 50.0. High environmental and health scores are offset by safety and school concerns. It represents a typical rural profile with specialized strengths.

Consistent with Michigan averages

Oceana's 46.0 composite score is very close to the Michigan state average of 47.1. It performs predictably for a coastal agricultural county. This consistency makes it a stable choice for residents within the state.

Superior water and health metrics

The county excels with a water score of 86.0 and a health score of 66.9. It also maintains a strong risk score of 66.3, indicating lower susceptibility to natural disasters. These factors support a healthy, active lifestyle near the lakeshore.

Safety and tax pressures

A low safety score of 23.1 and a tax score of 28.4 are the county's primary drawbacks. Schools also score moderately at 37.3. Improving local security and addressing the 1.143% tax rate would enhance its appeal.

Best for coastal-loving budgeters

Oceana is ideal for individuals who want proximity to Lake Michigan without the high costs of neighboring counties. A median rent of $768 makes it highly affordable for those who value health and environmental quality. It is a great fit for those seeking a quiet, rural life with excellent water access.

Score breakdown

Tax28.4Cost60.6Safety23.1Health66.9Schools37.3Income49.8Risk66.3Water86Weather54.8
🏛28.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠60.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼49.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡23.1
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤66.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓37.3
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡66.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤54.8
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨45.2
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱66.1
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

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52
Muskegon County
Michigan
33.8
Newaygo County
Michigan
50
Lake County
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Ottawa County
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Deep Dives

Oceana County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Oceana County

via TaxByCounty

Oceana taxes just above national median

Oceana's effective tax rate of 1.143% sits just above the national median of 1.099%, placing it slightly on the higher side nationally. The median annual property tax of $1,916 is about 29% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower property values rather than high tax burden.

Slightly below Michigan average

Oceana's 1.143% effective rate falls slightly below Michigan's 1.166% average, ranking it in the lower-middle tier statewide. The county offers modest tax advantage without being among the state's most relieved counties.

Mid-range in regional tax comparison

Oceana's 1.143% rate sits between Montcalm (1.075%) and Newaygo (1.151%), occupying the moderate zone in west-central Michigan's tax landscape. The county avoids extremes on either end of the spectrum.

What $167,600 home costs annually

An Oceana County homeowner with a median-valued property pays roughly $1,916 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related charges included, the total reaches approximately $2,061 per year.

Request a reassessment if needed

Oceana residents should verify their assessment reflects current market values in their local area. If your property was assessed higher than comparable recent sales, contact the assessor to request a reassessment review.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Oceana County

via CostByCounty

Oceana delivers genuine housing bargains

Oceana residents spend just 14.5% of income on rent, beating the national average of 16.3% by nearly 2 percentage points while earning $11,131 less than U.S. medians. This advantage signals that Oceana offers authentic housing value despite below-average county income.

Michigan's most affordable rental county

Oceana's 14.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks as Michigan's best, nearly 2 percentage points below the state average of 16.3% and well below all peer counties. This leadership makes Oceana Michigan's standout bargain for renters seeking maximum affordability.

The region's affordability champion

Oceana's $768 rent is the region's lowest and its 14.5% burden unmatched—beating Montcalm (16.0%), Missaukee (16.3%), and all other nearby counties. Combined with moderate ownership costs of $836, Oceana emerges as this entire region's housing value leader by a decisive margin.

Housing remains remarkably lean

Oceana's $63,624 median income supports just $768 monthly rent (14.5%) or $836 ownership costs (15.8%), the most efficient housing allocation in this county group. This lean spending preserves maximum income for savings, education, and quality-of-life investments that other counties cannot match.

Michigan's affordability frontier

Oceana delivers Michigan's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 14.5%, meaning your paycheck stretches further here than nearly anywhere in the state. If affordable housing is your primary goal and you can access remote work or local opportunity, Oceana represents Michigan's best value proposition for relocators.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Oceana County

via IncomeByCounty

Oceana trails national income average

Oceana County's median household income of $63,624 falls roughly $11,100 below the national median of $74,755. This 15% shortfall places Oceana in the lower-middle income category nationally.

Just below Michigan's county average

At $63,624, Oceana County's median household income sits about $700 below Michigan's county average of $64,304. The county ranks near the middle of Michigan's 83 counties by household income.

Mid-range earner in west Michigan

Oceana's median income of $63,624 sits between Newaygo ($61,931) and Montcalm ($64,892) in the regional comparison. Only Monroe County to the southeast and Oakland County further away earn substantially more in the broader area.

Lowest housing cost burden in group

Oceana County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio of just 14.5%, meaning housing consumes the smallest share of typical household income. With a median home value of $167,600, properties are exceptionally affordable relative to county earnings.

Affordable housing maximizes savings capacity

At only 14.5% of income, Oceana's housing burden is the leanest among all comparison counties, freeing significant resources for savings and investments. Households earning the county median can aggressively fund retirement accounts, emergency funds, and long-term wealth strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Oceana County

via CrimeByCounty

Public Safety in Oceana County

Oceana County maintains a safety score of 96.9, which reflects its unique crime landscape. Its total crime rate of 1,962.1 per 100K is lower than the national average of 2,385.5. However, it is higher than many of its immediate neighbors.

Oceana vs. Michigan Standards

The county's 96.9 safety score is slightly lower than the Michigan state average of 97.8. Its crime rate of 1,962.1 also exceeds the state average of 1,371.8. Eight reporting agencies contribute to these statistics for the county.

How Oceana Compares to Others

Oceana's crime rate of 1,962.1 is significantly higher than Newaygo's 712.2. However, it remains safer than Muskegon County, where the rate climbs to 2,519.5. It sits in the middle of the pack for safety among these Michigan counties.

Violent and Property Crime Analysis

Violent crime in Oceana is 325.8 per 100K, which is slightly above the state average of 314.8. Property crime is the largest factor at 1,636.3, although this remains below the national rate of 2,015.7. Residents are most likely to encounter property-related issues.

Enhancing Security in Oceana

To prevent property theft, secure all outdoor equipment and vehicles. Motion-activated lights are a simple but effective way to discourage intruders. Awareness of local crime trends is your best tool for staying safe.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Oceana County

via HealthByCounty

Oceana's health slightly exceeds U.S.

At 76.9 years, Oceana County's life expectancy edges 0.5 years above the U.S. average of 76.4 years, a small but meaningful advantage. The 17.5% poor/fair health rate falls slightly below the national average of 18%, indicating Oceana residents experience somewhat better overall health than typical Americans.

Above-average health, limited insurance gap

Oceana's 76.9-year life expectancy outpaces Michigan's state average of 76.3 years by six months, placing the county in the healthier tier statewide. The 7.3% uninsured rate exceeds Michigan's 6.4% average, meaning more Oceana residents lack insurance coverage than is typical for the state.

Solid primary care, limited mental health

Oceana offers 49 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, above many rural neighbors but below state averages, and only 48 mental health providers per 100,000—the lowest mental health capacity among comparison counties. This imbalance means residents have decent access to routine care but may struggle finding behavioral health services.

Insurance barriers and mental health gaps

Oceana's 7.3% uninsured rate means roughly 1 in 14 residents lack coverage, potentially delaying care and increasing emergency department use. The county's critically low mental health provider capacity—48 per 100,000, a fraction of state averages—creates a bottleneck for residents needing behavioral health support.

Insurance first, then seek mental health

If you're uninsured in Oceana, securing coverage through Healthcare.gov or Michigan Medicaid is your first step toward accessing any healthcare services. Once covered, expect longer waits for mental health appointments; ask your primary care provider about telehealth options or regional referrals to address this gap.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Oceana County

via SchoolsByCounty

Focused Rural Education in Oceana

Oceana County provides for 2,880 students through 9 public schools across 4 districts. The landscape is evenly distributed with schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels to serve local families.

Strong Results and State-Leading Spending

The county's 84.6% graduation rate is well above the Michigan average of 82.5%. Oceana also invests $7,504 per pupil, exceeding the state average and contributing to a competitive school score of 51.8.

Hart and Shelby Lead the County

Hart Public School District is the largest with 1,246 students, while Shelby Public Schools serves 1,126. The county relies entirely on traditional public districts, with 0% of its schools being charter-operated.

Small-Town and Rural School Settings

Students learn in a mix of rural and town environments, with an average school size of 320 students. Hart High School is the largest facility with 433 students, ensuring that even the biggest schools maintain a small-town feel.

Find Your Family's Home in Oceana

Oceana County offers a perfect blend of rural peace and academic performance that outshines the state average. Research real estate in the Hart or Shelby areas to join a community that truly values its public education.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Oceana County

via RiskByCounty

Oceana's disaster risk is below national average

Oceana County's composite risk score of 33.72 sits comfortably below the national average, earning a "Very Low" rating that reflects minimal natural disaster exposure. The county faces roughly one-third the typical disaster risk of the average U.S. county.

Among Michigan's safest counties

Oceana's 33.72 score ranks it in Michigan's safest tier, well below the state average of 49.56 and comparable to Missaukee and Montmorency counties. The county enjoys one of the most favorable natural disaster risk profiles in the state.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Oceana's 33.72 score outperforms neighboring Newaygo County (47.07) and Muskegon County (70.10), making it one of the more protected communities in west Michigan. Only Missaukee County (11.10) and Montmorency County (15.87) rank notably safer statewide.

Flood and tornado risks are modest concerns

Flood risk of 43.64 and tornado risk of 30.92 are Oceana's highest hazard scores, both remaining well below state and national averages. Wildfire risk of 34.57 and earthquake risk of 20.01 are also minimal, creating a generally low-hazard environment.

Basic homeowners insurance provides adequate protection

Oceana County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance coverage as the county faces low overall disaster risk. Those in mapped flood zones should verify flood coverage separately, but most residents in Oceana enjoy minimal natural disaster insurance needs.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Oceana County

via WeatherByCounty

Cool Lakeshore Humidity

Oceana County's 46.2°F average temperature reflects its position along Lake Michigan's eastern shore. This temperature falls below the national median, but the lake provides a moisture-heavy environment.

Warmer and Wetter Than Average

Oceana's 46.2°F average temperature is slightly higher than the state average of 45.7°F. It is significantly wetter than the state median, receiving 37.4 inches of precipitation compared to 34.5 inches.

Colder Than Nearby Muskegon

While it shares a border with Muskegon, Oceana is 2 degrees cooler on average at 46.2°F. It receives nearly identical snowfall amounts to its southern neighbor, though its precipitation is slightly higher.

Massive Snow and Mild Summers

The county is buried under 76.5 inches of snow annually, making it one of the state's snowiest areas. Summer heat is rare, with 90-degree temperatures occurring only 5 days per year.

Prepare for Winter Isolation

With 76.5 inches of snow, four-wheel drive and professional-grade snow removal are highly recommended. High humidity and 37.4 inches of precipitation also necessitate robust home drainage and gutter systems.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Oceana County

via SoilByCounty

Spodosols of the Fruit Belt

Oceana County is known for its Spodosols and a pH of 5.66. This level of acidity is slightly higher than the Michigan average, providing a hospitable environment for the county's famous orchards.

Deep Sands and Easy Drainage

The soil is 78.3% sand—the highest in this group—and is classified as fine sand. This very loose texture allows for incredible aeration, making it perfect for crops that dislike 'wet feet' or standing water.

Lower Water Retention Levels

Organic matter is present at 6.57%, while the available water capacity is the lowest of the group at 0.123 in/in. Plants in this soil will need consistent moisture support, as the ground holds very little water.

Efficient Water Management

The soil is well-drained and sits in hydrologic group A, the most permeable category. This setup is ideal for agriculture that utilizes drip irrigation, as water moves directly and efficiently to the root zone.

Zone 6a Orchard Country

Oceana's zone 6a climate and sandy soil make it a world-class location for growing asparagus, cherries, and peaches. Dig into your garden knowing your sandy soil is the secret behind the region's famous produce.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Oceana County

via LawnByCounty

Oceana County Lawns Thrive Easily

Oceana County earns a strong lawn difficulty score of 66.1, placing it well above the Michigan state average. This Zone 6a county offers a balance of rainfall and temperate weather that supports healthy grass.

Abundant Rainfall Feeds the Grass

At 37.4 inches of annual precipitation, Oceana is wetter than the Michigan average of 34.4. Low heat stress, with only 5 extreme heat days, allows cool-season grasses to stay green deeper into the summer.

Sandy Texture Demands Better pH

This county has the highest sand content of the group at 78.3%, creating extremely well-drained conditions. The pH of 5.66 is slightly low, so adding lime will help improve the efficiency of your fertilizer applications.

Excellent Current Moisture Levels

Despite 19 weeks of drought in the past year, Oceana currently has no areas under drought or dry conditions. However, the high sand content means your lawn can still dry out quickly without regular rainfall or irrigation.

Establish Lawns in Fine Sand

Deep-rooting varieties like Tall Fescue are best for the sandy soils found here. The window for successful growth opens after May 17 and remains strong until the first frost around October 10.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Oceana County's county score?
Oceana County, Michigan has a composite county score of 46 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 Oceana County rank among counties in Michigan?
Oceana County ranks #48 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 Oceana County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Oceana County is $1,916, with an effective tax rate of 1.14%. This earns Oceana County a tax score of 28.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Oceana County?
The median household income in Oceana County, Michigan is $63,624 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Oceana County earns an income score of 49.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Oceana County, Michigan a good place to live?
Oceana County scores 46/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #48 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Oceana 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 Oceana County with other counties side by side.

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🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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