countyscore
52
County Score
Health 94.8Income & Jobs 90.8Lawn Care 64.3

County Report Card

About Ottawa County, Michigan

Ottawa County Excels Beyond National Median

Ottawa County earns a 52.1 composite score, beating the national median of 50.0. This performance is driven by exceptional wealth and health metrics.

A High-Income Leader in Michigan

The county's 52.1 score sits well above the Michigan average of 47.1. It is a standout performer in the state for economic opportunity and public health.

Elite Incomes and Health Outcomes

Ottawa boasts a stellar health score of 94.8 and an income score of 90.2. The median household income is a robust $87,144, supporting a high standard of living.

High Costs and Environmental Risks

Rapid growth has led to a low cost score of 17.6, with median home values reaching $291,200. The risk score of 17.1 also indicates significant vulnerability to natural or climate-related hazards.

The Premier Choice for Career Growth

Ottawa County is the top pick for high-earning professionals and families who prioritize health and education. While expensive, the economic rewards and community wellness scores are hard to beat.

2040608010033.717.157.594.860.590.817.160.157.3Tax33.7Cost17.1Safety57.5Health94.8Schools60.5Income90.8Risk17.1Water60.1Weather57.352/100
This county
National avg
2 above average3 below average

Ottawa County DNA

Foverall

How Ottawa County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Ottawa County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (94.8/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (17.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
33.7-18.299999999999997
Cost
17.1-30.9
Safety
57.5
Health
94.8+44.8
Schools
60.5
Income
90.8+39.8
Risk
17.1-29.9
Water
60.1
Weather
57.3
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$323,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,211/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$323,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$48,440/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $90,502/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

14.1

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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52.1

Nearby counties

Muskegon County
Michigan
33.7
Kent County
Michigan
36.7
Allegan County
Michigan
40.6
Newaygo County
Michigan
50.4
Montcalm County
Michigan
38.8
Barry County
Michigan
46.4
Oceana County
Michigan
47.8
Ionia County
Michigan
50.5

Deep Dives

Ottawa County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Ottawa County

via TaxByCounty

Ottawa slightly above national property tax norm

Ottawa County's effective tax rate of 1.057% sits just below the national median of 1.1%, making it fairly typical across America. However, its median tax bill of $3,078 exceeds the national median of $2,690, reflecting Ottawa's higher median home values of $291,200.

Below-average Michigan tax rate, above-average homes

Ottawa's 1.057% effective rate beats Michigan's state average of 1.166%, but its median tax bill of $3,078 substantially exceeds the state median of $2,102. This reflects Ottawa's notably higher median home values compared to the rest of Michigan.

Higher home values drive higher taxes regionally

Ottawa's 1.057% rate is moderate among northern Michigan counties, but its median home value of $291,200 is significantly higher than nearby Osceola ($139,600) or Presque Isle ($135,200). This explains why Ottawa's median tax bill exceeds all regional neighbors.

A $291,200 home costs about $3,078 yearly

Ottawa County's median home value of $291,200 at a 1.057% rate yields a median annual tax of $3,078. Homeowners with mortgages typically face assessments closer to $3,196.

High-value properties warrant thorough assessments

With Ottawa's higher median property values, ensuring your assessed valuation aligns with current market conditions is especially important. Filing a property tax appeal can yield significant savings on high-value homes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ottawa County

via IncomeByCounty

Ottawa far exceeds national income median

Ottawa County's median household income of $87,144 significantly surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $12,389, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects a diversified economy with significant manufacturing, healthcare, education, and service sectors. Households here earn roughly 117% of the national median—a powerful economic advantage.

Ottawa leads Michigan's income rankings

At $87,144, Ottawa's median household income ranks among the highest in Michigan, nearly $23,000 above the state median of $64,304. Per capita income of $40,682 also leads the state average of $35,451 by about 15%, indicating both high incomes and relatively balanced distribution. Ottawa demonstrates what robust regional economic development can achieve.

Clear economic powerhouse of the region

Ottawa County's $87,144 income dramatically outpaces all comparable counties—exceeding Otsego ($67,285) by $19,859 and more than doubling Oscoda ($50,581). The gap reflects Ottawa's proximity to major metros, stronger educational institutions, and more diverse industrial base. This economic dominance creates significant wealth-building advantages for Ottawa residents.

Strong income supports premium lifestyle

Ottawa's rent-to-income ratio of 15.8% remains healthy despite higher median home values of $291,200, indicating well-matched incomes and housing costs. Households have genuine disposable income after covering housing, allowing robust savings and investment capacity. This financial cushion enables residents to weather emergencies and plan confidently for the future.

Prime opportunity for wealth acceleration

Ottawa residents should aggressively pursue wealth accumulation—save 20–30% of household income across diversified investment vehicles including 401(k)s, IRAs, and taxable brokerage accounts. Consider real estate investment, education in emerging skills, and business ownership as wealth multipliers. With disciplined financial management, Ottawa households can achieve substantial generational wealth within 15–25 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Ottawa County

via CrimeByCounty

Ottawa County: A Model of Public Safety

Ottawa County boasts a total crime rate of 977.8 per 100,000, far below the national average of 2,385.5. This translates to a high safety score of 98.5. Even as a more populated county, it maintains safety levels that rival much smaller rural areas.

Leading Michigan’s Most Populous Regions

Ottawa's safety score of 98.5 exceeds the Michigan state average of 97.8. Its total crime rate of 977.8 is roughly 29% lower than the state average of 1371.8. It serves as a benchmark for how larger counties can manage public safety effectively.

Consistently Safer Than Local Peers

Ottawa County is significantly safer than neighboring Osceola, which has a rate of 1350.9. It also maintains lower crime levels than Roscommon’s 1171.6 per 100K. Residents benefit from a robust local law enforcement presence across the county.

Low Violent Crime Defines the Area

The violent crime rate in Ottawa is just 223.2 per 100K, nearly 40% lower than the national average. Property crime stands at 754.6 per 100K, making up the vast majority of local police reports. This means residents are statistically unlikely to encounter violent criminal activity.

Protecting Your Assets in Ottawa

To prevent property crime, residents should focus on securing vehicles and residential entry points. Implementing smart home technology like cameras can further decrease the chance of opportunistic theft. Active participation in community safety programs keeps these rates trending downward.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Ottawa County

via WeatherByCounty

Temperate lakeside climate follows national patterns

Ottawa County averages 48.1°F annually, providing a more temperate experience than many other Michigan locations. It receives 37.9 inches of annual precipitation, which is slightly higher than the state average.

Warmer than the average Michigan county

At 48.1°F, the county is 2.4 degrees warmer than the statewide average of 45.7°F. Lake Michigan helps moderate the extreme cold found further inland or to the north.

Milder winters than neighboring central counties

Ottawa is warmer than Saginaw County, which sits at 47.7°F. The proximity to the lake provides a thermal buffer that keeps January averages at a relatively manageable 24.9°F.

Warm summers with consistent lake breezes

July temperatures average 70.8°F, and the county typically sees 7 days per year above 90°F. While specific snowfall data is unavailable, the winter average of 27.3°F reflects the moderating influence of the Great Lakes.

Prepare for humidity and lakeside moisture

The high annual precipitation of 37.9 inches suggests residents should invest in quality drainage and roof maintenance. Moderate summer heat makes air conditioning useful for about a week of extreme days, but lakeside breezes often provide natural cooling.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Ottawa County

via SoilByCounty

Alfisols and Moderate Acidity

Ottawa County features the Alfisols soil order, which is known for being naturally productive and moderately weathered. The average pH of 5.85 is the closest to the national median of 6.5 among this group and is higher than the state average of 5.30. This makes it one of the most chemically balanced soils for general agriculture in the region.

Workable Sandy Loam Texture

The composition is 59.6% sand, 24.2% silt, and 12.8% clay, forming a versatile sandy loam. This texture offers excellent workability and drainage, which is why Ottawa is a hub for Michigan's nursery and greenhouse industry. The balanced silt and clay content provide a stable structure that resists erosion better than pure sand.

Lower Organic Matter and Water Storage

Unlike its northern neighbors, Ottawa has a lower organic matter content of 6.52% and an available water capacity of 0.166 in/in. Both figures are below the Michigan state averages of 19.76% and 0.202 respectively. Gardeners here should focus on adding compost to increase the soil's ability to hold onto moisture and nutrients.

Well Drained Hydrologic Group B

The soil is classified as well-drained and falls into Hydrologic Group B, indicating a moderate infiltration rate. This makes it an ideal middle-ground for diverse uses, from residential landscaping to intensive farming. It drains well enough to prevent swampy conditions while retaining enough water to keep plants healthy.

Diverse Potential in Zone 6a

Being in USDA Zone 6a, Ottawa County enjoys a milder climate that supports a vast range of perennials, vegetables, and fruit. The sandy loam is particularly famous for blueberry production and ornamental nurseries. With a little organic supplementation, your Ottawa County garden can be incredibly productive.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Ottawa County

via LawnByCounty

Ottawa County Lawn Difficulty Analysis

Ottawa County is a standout with a lawn difficulty score of 64.3, significantly easier than the national and state averages. This Hardiness Zone 6a region offers one of the most favorable climates for Michigan lawns.

Ample Water and Long Seasons

A robust 37.9 inches of rain and 2547 growing degree days fuel a long, productive growing season. Only 7 extreme heat days keep the turf from scorching, even though the 30 weeks of drought last year required vigilance.

Superior Sandy Loam Drainage

The well-drained sandy loam features a 5.85 pH, which is very close to the ideal range for grass. This solid foundation requires fewer amendments than neighboring counties to produce a thick, green carpet.

Maintaining Health After Drought

Despite 30 weeks in drought over the past year, the county currently shows 0.0% area affected by dry conditions. Focus on efficient irrigation during the peak summer months to maintain the high quality of your turf.

A Wide Range of Options

Hardiness Zone 6a allows for a wide variety of cool-season grasses and a longer window for establishment. Aim to seed between the April 30 last frost and the October 25 first frost for maximum growth.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ottawa County's county score?
Ottawa County, Michigan has a composite county score of 52 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 Ottawa County rank among counties in Michigan?
Ottawa County ranks #29 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 Ottawa County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Ottawa County is $3,313, with an effective tax rate of 1.02%. This earns Ottawa County a tax score of 33.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Ottawa County?
The median household income in Ottawa County, Michigan is $90,502 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Ottawa County earns an income score of 90.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Ottawa County, Michigan a good place to live?
Ottawa County scores 52/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #29 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Ottawa 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 Ottawa County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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