Oscoda County

Michigan · MI

#12 in Michigan
72.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Oscoda County, Michigan

Oscoda leads in livability score

Oscoda County's composite score of 73.5 significantly surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 47th percentile nationally. This strong standing reflects a county delivering measurable quality-of-life advantages across key dimensions.

Top performer among Michigan counties

At 73.5, Oscoda ranks above Michigan's state average of 68.7, making it one of the state's stronger counties. This above-average performance consistently elevates it in statewide livability comparisons.

Lowest taxes and strong housing value

Oscoda leads this group with the lowest effective tax rate at 0.938% and a tax score of 75.9, while also offering a cost score of 86.0 with median home values of $126,000 and rents at $675. The combination of minimal tax burden and affordable housing creates meaningful financial advantage.

Income levels trail behind peer counties

The income score of 16.4 and median household income of $50,581 represent the lowest earning power in this group. Data on safety, health, schools, water, and environmental risk remain unavailable, limiting comprehensive evaluation.

Best for tax-averse, budget-first movers

Oscoda excels for those prioritizing minimal taxes and affordable housing—particularly retirees, minimalists, or those seeking maximum financial independence from government burden. The trade-off is modest income opportunities; confirm employment viability and local services before relocating.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.9Cost86SafetyComing SoonHealth66.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.4Risk84.9WaterComing Soon
🏛75.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠86
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼16.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
66.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
84.9
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

Oscoda County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Oscoda County

via TaxByCounty

Oscoda among America's lowest-tax counties

Oscoda County's effective tax rate of 0.938% sits well below the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the bottom 30% nationally for property tax burden. The median tax bill of $1,182 is just 44% of the national median of $2,690.

Michigan's second-lowest tax rate

Oscoda's 0.938% effective rate ranks among Michigan's very lowest, trailing only a handful of counties below the state average of 1.166%. The county's median tax of $1,182 is approximately 56% of Michigan's median.

Lowest rate among nearby northern counties

Oscoda's 0.938% rate is the second-lowest in the region, second only to Otsego (0.891%), and beats Osceola (1.059%), Ontonagon (1.232%), and Presque Isle (1.022%). Homeowners here enjoy some of the state's most favorable tax rates.

A $126,000 home costs about $1,182 yearly

Oscoda's median home value of $126,000 multiplied by its 0.938% rate yields a median annual tax of $1,182. Homeowners with mortgages typically face assessments around $1,233 per year.

Even low-tax counties reward appeal verification

Though Oscoda's rate is already favorable, homeowners should still verify their assessed value against comparable properties. An overassessment appeal can further reduce an already-modest tax bill.

Cost of Living in Oscoda County

via CostByCounty

Oscoda delivers solid housing value nationally

Oscoda County's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio positions it well below the U.S. affordability threshold, offering renters genuine financial breathing room. Though median income lags the nation by 32% at $50,581, housing costs remain proportionally manageable.

Slightly below Michigan's affordability average

Oscoda's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio edges below Michigan's state average of 16.3%, making it marginally more affordable than the typical Michigan county. Median rent of $675 runs notably lower than the state median of $873.

Oscoda offers solid middle-ground rental prices

At $675 monthly rent, Oscoda undercuts Ogemaw ($828) and Otsego ($880) significantly while running higher than bargain-priced Ontonagon ($571). Its 16.0% rent burden ranks among the region's best values.

Rent and ownership nearly equal in cost

Monthly gross rent of $675 and median owner costs of $684 hover within 1% of each other, both consuming roughly 16% of household income. This near-parity offers residents genuine flexibility between rental and ownership paths.

Oscoda: reliable affordability in rural Michigan

Job seekers considering northern Michigan should weigh Oscoda's solid affordability against local employment options—rents won't strain budgets, but wages may be limited. Compare salary expectations with the county's $50,581 median income to assess whether the move makes financial sense.

Income & Jobs in Oscoda County

via IncomeByCounty

Oscoda's income falls short nationally

Oscoda County's median household income of $50,581 lags the national median of $74,755 by $24,174, placing it firmly in the bottom quartile of U.S. counties. This significant gap reflects limited economic diversity and reliance on declining industries typical of rural northern Michigan. Oscoda households earn roughly 68% of what typical American families make.

Oscoda ranks among Michigan's lowest

At $50,581, Oscoda's median household income ranks among Michigan's poorest-performing counties, nearly $13,800 below the state median of $64,304. Per capita income of $27,858 severely trails the state average of $35,451 by about 21%, suggesting high poverty concentration. Both metrics point to persistent employment and wage challenges in the county.

Oscoda is the lowest earner regionally

Oscoda County's $50,581 income represents the bottom of its regional peer group, trailing even Ontonagon ($51,844) and Ogemaw ($51,983). The county sits more than $16,000 below Osceola ($57,050) and nearly $40,000 below Ottawa ($87,144), underscoring severe regional income inequality. This disparity suggests limited access to higher-wage sectors like technology or healthcare.

Tight margins despite low housing costs

Oscoda's rent-to-income ratio of 16.0% is healthy, and median home values of $126,000 are affordable, providing some relief on housing costs. However, the overall income level leaves households vulnerable to unexpected expenses and limits savings potential. Residents must prioritize essential spending and avoid debt to maintain stability.

Start small, build big over decades

Despite tight budgets, Oscoda residents can build wealth by automating even small monthly savings—$50 or $100 invested consistently in low-cost funds compounds powerfully over 20+ years. Prioritize employer retirement match programs if available, and explore free financial literacy resources from nonprofits or libraries. Small disciplined actions create meaningful financial security over time.

Health in Oscoda County

via HealthByCounty

Oscoda faces steepest health crisis

At 72.8 years, Oscoda County has the lowest life expectancy in this eight-county region, trailing the U.S. average by 8 years. Nearly 19% report poor or fair health, the highest rate among peers and well above national norms.

Michigan's persistent health challenges

Oscoda's 72.8-year life expectancy falls 3.5 years below Michigan's state average of 76.3 years, marking one of the state's most significant gaps. This disparity signals serious unmet healthcare needs and chronic disease burden.

Lowest longevity in the region

Oscoda's 72.8 years is the shortest lifespan in its eight-county peer group, trailing the highest-performing county, Ottawa, by more than 7 years. The 4-year gap between Oscoda and its neighbors underscores how dramatically outcomes vary across northeast Michigan.

Perfect storm: uninsured and understaffed

Oscoda has the highest uninsured rate in the region at 9.8%—more than 50% above the state average of 6.4%. Compounding this, the county has only 12 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, leaving most residents without reliable access to preventive care.

Breaking the coverage barrier

Nearly 10% of Oscoda residents lack insurance—if that's you, enrollment takes minutes and could transform your health outcomes. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit healthcare.gov to find plans affordable for your situation.

Disaster Risk in Oscoda County

via RiskByCounty

Oscoda County: minimal national disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 15.14, Oscoda County ranks as Very Low compared to the national average. The county's remote location in northeast Michigan provides protection from most widespread hazard types.

Among Michigan's lowest-risk counties

Oscoda's score of 15.14 ranks well below Michigan's state average of 49.56, placing it solidly in the state's safer tier. The county benefits from its isolated position and forest-dominated landscape.

One of safest in northeast Michigan region

Oscoda (15.14) is safer than neighboring Otsego (18.42) and significantly outpaces Roscommon County (56.68) to the south. Presque Isle County (21.76) is also well-protected, making this entire northeast region relatively secure.

Wildfire dominates Oscoda's risk profile

Wildfire risk (75.99) stands dramatically above all other hazards in Oscoda, reflecting the county's forest coverage and summer fire season vulnerability. All other disaster types—tornado (22.74), flood (25.54), earthquake (7.47)—remain well below state averages.

Wildfire preparedness is your priority

Oscoda residents should focus on wildfire defensibility: maintain 30 feet of cleared space around homes, trim overhanging branches, and remove dead wood. Standard homeowner's insurance covers wind and weather, but confirm your policy includes wildfire coverage before fire season arrives.

ByCounty Network

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