countyscore
70.3
County Score
Safety 86Water Quality 86Cost of Living 82

County Report Card

About Presque Isle County, Michigan

Presque Isle is a National Standout

Presque Isle County achieves a remarkable 70.1 composite score, far surpassing the national median of 50.0. It ranks as one of the most livable counties in the entire country.

Dominating Michigan's Livability Rankings

With a 70.1 score, Presque Isle dwarfs the Michigan state average of 47.1. It represents the gold standard for quality of life within the state.

Exceptional Safety, Water, and Value

The county hits an 86.0 for both safety and water quality. It remains incredibly affordable with a cost score of 84.0 and a median gross rent of only $625.

Wage Growth Remains a Secondary Focus

Despite the high quality of life, the income score of 29.5 is the county's lowest metric. The median household income of $56,713 suggests a slower-paced economy.

The Best All-Around Value in Michigan

Presque Isle is perfect for anyone seeking a high-quality, safe, and affordable lifestyle. It is a rare find that offers top-tier schools and health metrics at a fraction of the cost of urban areas.

2040608010039.9828672.873.531.778.38648.3Tax39.9Cost82Safety86Health72.8Schools73.5Income31.7Risk78.3Water86Weather48.370.3/100
This county
National avg
6 above average2 below average

Presque Isle County DNA

Coverall

How Presque Isle County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Presque Isle County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Cost of Living (82/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
39.9-12.100000000000001
Cost
82+34
Safety
86+31
Health
72.8+22.799999999999997
Schools
73.5+19.5
Income
31.7-19.3
Risk
78.3+31.299999999999997
Water
86+28
Weather
48.3
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Think property taxes are too high in Presque Isle County?

Many homeowners in Presque Isle County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$151,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$683/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$151,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$27,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $59,321/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Deep Dives

Presque Isle County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Presque Isle County

via TaxByCounty

Presque Isle taxes below national average

Presque Isle County's effective tax rate of 1.022% falls below the national median of 1.1%, positioning it favorably relative to the rest of America. The median tax bill of $1,382 is just 51% of the national median of $2,690.

Among Michigan's lowest-taxed counties

Presque Isle's 1.022% effective rate matches Ogemaw County and beats Michigan's state average of 1.166%, ranking it among the most tax-friendly counties statewide. The median tax of $1,382 is about 66% of Michigan's median of $2,102.

Tied for lowest in northern Michigan cluster

Presque Isle's 1.022% rate matches Ogemaw and falls between lower-taxed Oscoda (0.938%) and Otsego (0.891%) and higher-taxed Osceola (1.059%). The county ranks solidly among the region's most affordable tax environments.

A $135,200 home costs about $1,382 yearly

Presque Isle's median home value of $135,200 paired with its 1.022% rate produces a median annual tax of $1,382. Homeowners with mortgages typically see bills around $1,413.

Verify assessments despite favorable rates

Even in low-tax Presque Isle, overassessments occur and can be contested through property tax appeals. Comparing your assessed value to recent comparable sales in your area may uncover additional savings.

Income & Jobs in Presque Isle County

via IncomeByCounty

Presque Isle trails national income modestly

Presque Isle County's median household income of $56,713 falls $18,042 short of the national median of $74,755, ranking it below average nationally but ahead of many rural peers. The income level reflects reliance on timber, tourism, and aging population demographics that limit wage growth. Residents earn roughly 76% of what typical American households make.

Presque Isle ranks low-middle within state

At $56,713, Presque Isle's median household income trails Michigan's state average of $64,304 by about $7,600, placing it in the lower half of Michigan's counties. Per capita income of $36,235 actually matches the state average of $35,451, suggesting older residents with accumulated savings partially offsetting lower working-age wages. This pattern is typical of aging rural communities.

Presque Isle mid-range among peers

Presque Isle's $56,713 income sits between Osceola ($57,050) and Roscommon ($54,106), positioning it in the middle of the regional income distribution. It outperforms Oscoda ($50,581), Ontonagon ($51,844), and Ogemaw ($51,983), but trails Otsego ($67,285) and Ottawa ($87,144). This moderate ranking reflects a somewhat more stable economy than the poorest counties but less dynamism than the leaders.

Excellent rent affordability provides buffer

Presque Isle's rent-to-income ratio of 13.2% is among the healthiest in the cohort, well below the 15% threshold, with median home values of $135,200 remaining very affordable. This strong housing affordability provides households genuine breathing room in budgets for other essential and discretionary spending. The low housing burden is a distinct advantage for wealth building.

Leverage low housing costs for investing

Presque Isle's exceptional housing affordability creates a powerful wealth-building advantage—households can redirect savings typically consumed by housing toward retirement and investment accounts. Aim to save 12–15% of household income in diversified portfolios, maximizing employer retirement matches first. Over 25–30 years, this disciplined approach transforms modest incomes into meaningful retirement security.

Safety in Presque Isle County

via CrimeByCounty

Presque Isle County: One of the Nation's Safest

Presque Isle County reports an incredibly low total crime rate of 313.4 per 100,000 residents. This is nearly eight times lower than the national average of 2,385.5, resulting in a safety score of 99.5. It is among the safest counties in the entire country.

Top-Tier Safety Ranking in Michigan

With a safety score of 99.5, Presque Isle far outpaces the Michigan average of 97.8. Its crime rate of 313.4 is over 75% lower than the statewide average of 1371.8. Very few places in the state offer this level of security and peace.

The Regional Leader in Peace and Quiet

Presque Isle is significantly safer than its neighbor Otsego, which has a rate of 1066.5. Even compared to the very safe Ontonagon at 460.6, Presque Isle remains the leader in low crime. It sets a difficult-to-match standard for the surrounding region.

Minimal Crime Across All Sectors

Violent crime is extremely rare at 107.0 per 100K, while property crime is also low at 206.4. These numbers represent some of the lowest crime figures in the Midwest. Crime is practically a non-issue for the vast majority of people living here.

Maintain Your Secure Environment

While crime is exceptionally rare, basic precautions like lighting and locking doors help keep these numbers low. Engaging with neighbors provides an extra layer of security that discourages outside criminal activity. Your proactive stance helps preserve Presque Isle's status as a safety leader.

Weather & Climate in Presque Isle County

via WeatherByCounty

A northern climate with lower precipitation

Presque Isle County averages 44.6°F annually, placing it firmly in the cooler bracket of U.S. counties. Its 31.9 inches of annual precipitation is lower than the national median and the Michigan average.

Slightly cooler than the Michigan average

The county's 44.6°F average is about one degree cooler than the Michigan state average of 45.7°F. It represents the typical transition zone of the northern Lower Peninsula.

Comparable to nearby Roscommon County

With an average temperature of 44.6°F, Presque Isle is very similar to Roscommon’s 44.0°F. However, it experiences slightly more extreme heat days, totaling 8 per year compared to Roscommon's 6.

Significant snow and crisp summer nights

Winter delivers 85.8 inches of snow and January averages of 20.2°F. Summers are pleasant with a July average of 68.4°F, though the region still sees about 8 days of 90°F heat annually.

Winterize for nearly 86 inches of snow

Reliable snow tires and home insulation are critical for navigating the 85.8 inches of annual snowfall. Residents should also prepare for occasional summer spikes by ensuring fans or light cooling systems are available for the 8 extreme heat days.

Soil Quality in Presque Isle County

via SoilByCounty

Sandy Entisols of the Tip

Presque Isle County is dominated by Entisols, specifically sand-textured profiles with an average pH of 5.29. This pH level almost exactly mirrors the Michigan state average of 5.30 but remains below the national median of 6.5. These soils are relatively young and haven't developed the complex layering seen in older soil orders.

Gritty Mix with Minimal Clay

With 62.3% sand and only 10.5% clay, the soil is gritty and loose, offering very little resistance to roots or shovels. Silt makes up 18.9% of the mix, providing just enough fine material to prevent it from feeling like a beach. This high sand content means the ground warms up quickly in the spring, allowing for earlier planting.

Moderate Organic Matter and Lower AWC

The soil contains 15.82% organic matter, which is healthy compared to the national average of 2.0% but shy of the 19.76% state average. The available water capacity is 0.161 in/in, indicating that the soil does not hold onto water very well. Regular mulching is recommended to keep soil temperatures stable and moisture locked in.

Excessively Drained Hydrologic Group A

Classified as excessively drained and part of Hydrologic Group A, water moves through this soil with extreme speed. This prevents puddling even during heavy Lake Huron storms but can lead to thirsty plants during a dry week. It is a very stable soil for construction, though basement waterproofing remains a standard precaution.

Hardy Growing in Zone 5a

Presque Isle is in USDA Zone 5a, where short-season crops and cold-hardy perennials perform best. The sandy texture is perfect for asparagus and root crops that require loose soil to expand. Start your garden with native wildflowers or hardy vegetables to see the best results in this fast-draining landscape.

Lawn Care in Presque Isle County

via LawnByCounty

Presque Isle County Lawn Difficulty Analysis

Presque Isle County earns a lawn difficulty score of 59.9, placing it nearly even with the Michigan state average. This Hardiness Zone 5a location is significantly easier to manage than the national median of 50.0.

Precipitation and Mowing Pace

Annual precipitation of 31.9 inches is slightly below the state average of 34.4 inches. Combined with 2113 growing degree days and 8 heat days, you can expect a steady but manageable mowing pace.

Correcting Rapid Drainage

The soil consists of 62.3% sand and is categorized as excessively drained, meaning water passes through very quickly. With a pH of 5.29, your lawn will benefit from regular lime and organic matter to hold moisture.

Staying Green with Less Rain

This county is highly resilient, having spent only 4 weeks in drought over the past year. Current conditions are excellent with 0.0% drought coverage, giving your grass a stress-free start to the season.

Seeding in Sandy Conditions

Drought-resistant fescues are perfect for this sandy, excessively drained terrain. Plan your major lawn work between the May 22 spring frost and the October 14 fall frost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Presque Isle County's county score?
Presque Isle County, Michigan has a composite county score of 70.3 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 Presque Isle County rank among counties in Michigan?
Presque Isle County ranks #2 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 Presque Isle County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Presque Isle County is $1,432, with an effective tax rate of 0.95%. This earns Presque Isle County a tax score of 39.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Presque Isle County?
The median household income in Presque Isle County, Michigan is $59,321 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Presque Isle County earns an income score of 31.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Presque Isle County, Michigan a good place to live?
Presque Isle County scores 70.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #2 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Presque Isle 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 Presque Isle County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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