CountyScore

Ogemaw County

Michigan · MI

#32 in Michigan
70.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Ogemaw County, Michigan

Ogemaw ranks in top 42% nationally

With a composite score of 71.1, Ogemaw County significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 42nd percentile nationally. This strong score reflects a county that delivers measurable livability advantages compared to the typical American county.

Above average for Michigan

Ogemaw's 71.1 score edges above Michigan's state average of 68.7, ranking it in the upper half of the state's counties. Among Michigan's 83 counties, this positions Ogemaw as a competitive choice for those seeking livability.

Affordable housing and low taxes shine

Ogemaw excels with a cost score of 82.8, reflecting median home values of $138,600 and monthly rents at just $828. The county also maintains a favorable tax burden with an effective rate of 1.022% and a tax score of 73.5.

Income levels are the main gap

With a median household income of $51,983 and an income score of just 17.3, wage earnings lag considerably behind higher-income regions. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remain unavailable, limiting a complete livability picture.

Ideal for budget-conscious, retirees

Ogemaw works best for people prioritizing affordability and tax efficiency over high incomes—think retirees, remote workers, or families seeking rural small-town living. The low cost of living and stable taxes provide financial breathing room, though newcomers should research schools and services independently.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.5Cost82.8SafetyComing SoonHealth69.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.3Risk63.1WaterComing Soon
🏛73.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡63.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Ogemaw County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cleburne County
Arkansas
70.1
Median income: $55,979
Montgomery County
Georgia
70.1
Median income: $51,188
Madison County
Idaho
70.1
Median income: $58,259
Chase County
Kansas
70.1
Median income: $54,518
Norton County
Kansas
70.1
Median income: $50,305

Deep Dives

Ogemaw County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ogemaw County

via TaxByCounty

Ogemaw taxes well below national average

Ogemaw County's effective tax rate of 1.022% sits comfortably below the national median of 1.1%, putting homeowners here in the lower half nationally. The median property tax bill of $1,417 is less than half the national median of $2,690, reflecting both lower home values and a tax-friendly rate.

Among Michigan's lowest tax counties

Ogemaw's 1.022% effective rate is the 5th-lowest among Michigan's 83 counties, beating the state average of 1.166% by a significant margin. The county's median tax bill of $1,417 is well below Michigan's median of $2,102.

Competitive with surrounding northern Michigan counties

Ogemaw's rate of 1.022% matches Presque Isle County and beats nearby Ontonagon (1.232%) and Osceola (1.059%). Among the immediate region, only Oscoda (0.938%) and Otsego (0.891%) offer lower effective rates.

A $138,600 home costs about $1,417 yearly

With a median home value of $138,600, Ogemaw homeowners pay a median annual tax of $1,417. Adding mortgage-related assessments, the bill rises to approximately $1,467 for most properties with mortgages.

Check your assessment for overvaluation

Many Michigan homeowners discover their properties are overassessed relative to market value. If your home's assessed value exceeds recent comparable sales in your area, filing a property tax appeal could reduce your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ogemaw County

via CostByCounty

Ogemaw rents stretch income farther than U.S. average

Ogemaw County residents spend 19.1% of their income on rent, compared to the national average of roughly 30%, making housing more affordable here than across most of America. However, the county's median household income of $51,983 runs 30% below the national median of $74,755, meaning affordability comes partly from lower wages overall.

Above-average rent burden in Michigan

Ogemaw's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Michigan's state average of 16.3%, placing it among less affordable counties in the state. The median rent of $828 per month also tops the state's median of $873, reflecting higher local demand relative to incomes.

Pricier than Osceola but cheaper than Otsego

Ogemaw's median rent of $828 sits between neighboring Osceola County ($764) and Otsego County ($880), but its rent burden is higher due to lower incomes. Renters here pay proportionally more of their paychecks toward housing than those in adjacent Osceola or Oscoda counties.

Renters and owners both stretched tight

Median gross rent of $828 and median monthly owner costs of $702 consume roughly a third of monthly household income after taxes. At current income levels, both renting and buying in Ogemaw leaves limited money for other expenses.

Consider Ogemaw's trade-offs carefully

If you're relocating to northern Michigan, Ogemaw offers moderate rent relative to the nation but above-state-average burden; Osceola County offers slightly cheaper rent with better affordability ratios. Compare your expected salary against these local income figures before committing to the move.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ogemaw County

via IncomeByCounty

Ogemaw lags far behind national income

Ogemaw County's median household income of $51,983 falls nearly $23,000 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom third of all U.S. counties. This gap reflects the county's reliance on manufacturing and seasonal industries that typically offer lower wage growth. Residents here earn roughly 70 cents for every dollar earned by the typical American household.

Among Michigan's lower-income counties

At $51,983, Ogemaw ranks below Michigan's state median of $64,304 by nearly $12,400, placing it in the bottom tier of the state's 83 counties. The county's per capita income of $30,529 also trails the state average of $35,451 by about 14%. These metrics suggest limited job diversification and wage stagnation across Ogemaw's employment base.

Ogemaw middle-of-the-road among peers

Ogemaw's $51,983 income sits between Oscoda County ($50,581) and Ontonagon County ($51,844), making it roughly average for Michigan's rural northern tier. However, it significantly trails the regional standout Otsego County ($67,285), suggesting economic divergence across neighboring communities. This pattern reflects differences in tourism, healthcare, and education sector strength.

Rent remains manageable but income tight

Ogemaw's rent-to-income ratio of 19.1% sits above the healthy threshold of 15-18%, meaning renters spend nearly one-fifth of gross income on housing. While median home values of $138,600 remain affordable compared to state averages, the gap between household income and local costs leaves little room for savings or emergencies. Households here must carefully budget to cover basic expenses and unexpected costs.

Build financial security despite constraints

Even with modest incomes, Ogemaw residents can strengthen financial stability through consistent saving—starting with 5–10% of household income redirected to emergency funds and retirement accounts. Consider leveraging low-cost index funds or employer 401(k) matches to build wealth over time, and explore local workforce development programs that may unlock higher-wage job opportunities. Small, disciplined financial choices compound significantly over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ogemaw County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy gap widens here

Ogemaw County residents live to 73.6 years on average, nearly 7 years shorter than the U.S. average of 80.7 years. Nearly 18% of adults report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of about 15%.

Below Michigan's health benchmark

At 73.6 years, Ogemaw County's life expectancy trails Michigan's state average of 76.3 years by 2.7 years. This gap reflects both chronic disease burden and healthcare access challenges in the county.

Among the shortest lifespans here

Ogemaw's 73.6-year life expectancy ranks at the lower end of neighboring counties—Osceola leads the region at 76.9 years while Oscoda, at 72.8 years, is the only peer closer to the bottom. The 4-year spread among neighbors suggests uneven health infrastructure across northeast Michigan.

Primary care shortage compounds gaps

Just 15 primary care providers per 100,000 residents serve Ogemaw—less than half the density in healthier neighboring counties. With a 7.4% uninsured rate and limited physician supply, many residents delay care or travel significant distances for routine checkups.

Check your coverage options today

If you're uninsured or underinsured, Michigan's open enrollment period offers plans through healthcare.gov or the state marketplace. A few minutes now can connect you to preventive care and help narrow Ogemaw's persistent health gap.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ogemaw County

via RiskByCounty

Ogemaw's risk: well below national average

With a composite risk score of 36.96, Ogemaw County ranks as Very Low—significantly safer than the typical U.S. county. This score reflects a county where natural disaster hazards pose minimal threat to homes and communities across the region.

Among Michigan's safest counties

Ogemaw's score of 36.96 sits well below Michigan's state average of 49.56, placing it in the safer tier of Michigan counties. The county benefits from a geographic profile that limits exposure to most major natural disaster types.

Comparable to nearby northern Michigan counties

Ogemaw's risk profile mirrors its neighbors—Osceola County (23.92) and Otsego County (18.42) are similarly protected. All three counties experience much lower composite risk than Ottawa County (82.89) to the south, which faces significantly higher tornado and flood threats.

Wildfire and flood pose modest threats

Wildfire risk (61.39) is Ogemaw's most elevated hazard, though still manageable with standard precautions. Flood risk (43.13) and tornado risk (36.20) round out the county's exposure profile, each remaining below statewide averages.

Standard homeowner coverage suffices here

Ogemaw residents should maintain standard homeowner's insurance, which covers wind and weather events, along with basic wildfire defensibility measures around their property. Given the county's low composite risk, catastrophic coverage is generally unnecessary, though flood insurance makes sense in mapped flood zones.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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