CountyScore

Presque Isle County

Michigan · MI

#3 in Michigan
74.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Presque Isle County, Michigan

Presque Isle leads the group nationally

Presque Isle County's composite score of 73.7 substantially outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 47th percentile nationally. This top performance in this eight-county group reflects strong balanced livability fundamentals.

Among Michigan's best-performing counties

With a score of 73.7 versus Michigan's average of 68.7, Presque Isle ranks well above the state median. The county delivers genuinely competitive livability outcomes among Michigan's 83 counties.

Excellent affordability with stable taxes

Presque Isle excels with a cost score of 87.1, featuring median home values of $135,200 and the lowest rents in the group at just $625 per month. A tax score of 73.5 and effective rate of 1.022% provide stable, predictable fiscal conditions.

Income levels constrain economic mobility

With an income score of 20.4 and median household income of $56,713, earning potential ranks below most peer counties. Critical information on safety, health, schools, water quality, and environmental risk is currently unavailable.

Excellent for cost-conscious, stable households

Presque Isle is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing minimal housing and living expenses with stable taxes. The combination of exceptional affordability and reasonable income delivers strong financial stability, though job seekers should verify local employment before committing.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.5Cost87.1SafetyComing SoonHealth74.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.4Risk78.3WaterComing Soon
🏛73.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡78.3
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 Presque Isle County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lake County
Colorado
74.3
Median income: $93,655
Calhoun County
Illinois
74.3
Median income: $92,095
Scott County
Illinois
74.3
Median income: $73,013
Rush County
Indiana
74.3
Median income: $64,393
Cooper County
Missouri
74.3
Median income: $67,548

Deep Dives

Presque Isle County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Presque Isle County

via CostByCounty

Presque Isle delivers exceptional rental bargains

Presque Isle County's 13.2% rent-to-income ratio matches Ontonagon's as the region's best affordability deal, far below the U.S. average of roughly 30%. At $625 monthly median rent, Presque Isle offers genuine savings compared to national housing costs.

Among Michigan's most affordable rental counties

Presque Isle's 13.2% rent-to-income ratio significantly beats Michigan's state average of 16.3%, ranking it among the state's most affordable counties. The median rent of $625 ranks second-lowest among these eight northern Michigan counties.

Second-best rent value in the northern cluster

Presque Isle's $625 monthly rent ranks just above Ontonagon ($571) and well below Osceola ($764), Oscoda ($675), and all others. Its 13.2% rent burden ties Ontonagon for the region's lowest, offering exceptional value.

Balanced affordability for renters and owners

Monthly gross rent of $625 and median owner costs of $676 each consume roughly 13% of household income, nearly identical to Ontonagon. This remarkable balance leaves substantial income available for other essential expenses.

Presque Isle rivals Ontonagon for value seekers

Remote workers and retirees comparing Presque Isle against Ontonagon will find both offer comparable rent affordability; Presque Isle's slightly higher median income of $56,713 may provide more financial cushion. Check local internet infrastructure and employment opportunities before committing to either county.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Presque Isle County

via HealthByCounty

Above-average longevity in rural Michigan

Presque Isle County's 77.6-year life expectancy exceeds Michigan's state average of 76.3 years and ranks in the healthier half nationally. At 17.5% reporting poor or fair health, the county's health burden is lower than both state and national averages.

Outperforming state on longevity

At 77.6 years, Presque Isle surpasses Michigan's average by 1.3 years, an achievement relatively rare in this rural region. The 6.4% uninsured rate matches the state average exactly, suggesting equitable insurance access statewide.

Second strongest in peer group

Presque Isle's 77.6-year life expectancy ranks second only to Ottawa County (80.1 years) among its eight-county peer group. The county's relative health success contrasts sharply with nearby Oscoda (72.8 years), a 4.8-year gap suggesting vastly different healthcare investments.

Limited primary care, adequate mental health

Presque Isle has only 15 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a constraint that could limit preventive care—yet 60 mental health providers per 100,000. This imbalance suggests the county prioritizes behavioral health access while struggling with primary care staffing.

Sustain Presque Isle's health gains

With strong life expectancy outcomes, staying insured is essential to preventing backsliding—especially as you age and preventive screening becomes critical. Check healthcare.gov for plans covering annual physicals, screenings, and prescriptions at affordable rates.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Presque Isle County

via RiskByCounty

Presque Isle: well below national risk average

Presque Isle County's composite risk score of 21.76 earns it a Very Low rating, placing it comfortably below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county's Upper Peninsula location provides inherent protection from many widespread hazard types.

Safer than most Michigan counties

At 21.76, Presque Isle's score sits well below Michigan's state average of 49.56, ranking it among the state's lower-risk counties. The remote northern location and limited tornado activity contribute to this favorable profile.

Middle of the road for northeast Michigan

Presque Isle (21.76) sits between Oscoda (15.14) and Osceola (23.92), representing a typical risk level for the region's safe counties. All three are vastly safer than Roscommon (56.68) to the south or Ottawa (82.89) downstate.

Flood risk leads other modest hazards

Flood risk (43.96) is Presque Isle's highest hazard, while tornado risk (20.13) and hurricane risk (23.40) remain relatively low. Wildfire risk (14.06) and earthquake risk (9.13) pose minimal concern for county residents.

Standard insurance with flood awareness

Presque Isle residents should maintain standard homeowner's insurance and consider flood coverage if property lies in mapped flood zones or near inland water bodies. Basic storm preparedness and awareness of evacuation routes provide adequate protection for this low-risk county.

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.