CountyScore

Roscommon County

Michigan · MI

#40 in Michigan
69.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Roscommon County, Michigan

Roscommon exceeds U.S. livability median

Roscommon County's composite score of 71.9 meaningfully surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 44th percentile nationally. This solid above-average standing reflects consistent strengths across multiple livability categories.

Outperforms Michigan's county average

At 71.9, Roscommon exceeds Michigan's state average of 68.7, positioning it comfortably in the upper half of the state's counties. The county delivers better-than-typical livability outcomes for Michigan residents.

Affordability and low tax burden

Roscommon offers a cost score of 84.6 with median home values of $148,000 and monthly rents at $789, alongside a tax score of 72.8 and effective rate of 1.049%. This combination of affordable housing and favorable taxes creates real financial advantage.

Income growth remains modest

The income score of 18.7 and median household income of $54,106 indicate limited earning potential relative to state and national standards. Data on safety, health, schools, water quality, and environmental risk remain unavailable for thorough evaluation.

Solid choice for middle-income movers

Roscommon suits families and retirees seeking the balance of affordable housing and reasonable taxes with modest income requirements. The county provides genuine small-town living with financial stability; prospective residents should independently verify schools, services, and employment options.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.8Cost84.6SafetyComing SoonHealth71SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.7Risk43.3WaterComing Soon
🏛72.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡43.3
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 Roscommon County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Colbert County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $56,736
Jackson County
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69.3
Median income: $49,454
Chugach Census Area
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69.3
Median income: $88,565
Sharp County
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69.3
Median income: $42,950
Rabun County
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69.3
Median income: $61,466

Deep Dives

Roscommon County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Roscommon County

via TaxByCounty

Roscommon below national property tax median

Roscommon County's effective tax rate of 1.049% sits below the national median of 1.1%, offering a relatively favorable tax position nationally. The median tax bill of $1,552 represents 58% of the national median of $2,690.

Below-average Michigan property tax rate

Roscommon's 1.049% effective rate beats Michigan's state average of 1.166%, placing it among the more tax-friendly counties in the state. The median tax of $1,552 is approximately 74% of Michigan's median of $2,102.

Moderate rate within northern Michigan region

Roscommon's 1.049% rate falls between higher-taxed Ontonagon (1.232%) and lower-taxed Oscoda (0.938%) and Otsego (0.891%), positioning it near the regional middle. The county offers competitive tax rates compared to surrounding counties.

A $148,000 home costs about $1,552 yearly

Roscommon's median home value of $148,000 multiplied by its 1.049% rate yields a median annual tax of $1,552. Homeowners with mortgages typically face assessments near $1,679 per year.

Challenge overassessed properties through appeals

Roscommon homeowners should verify that their property's assessed value matches recent comparable sales in their area. Filing a property tax appeal can reduce bills if your assessment exceeds fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Roscommon County

via CostByCounty

Roscommon rents stretch income uncomfortably tight

Roscommon County's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio, the region's highest, still beats the national affordability threshold but leaves less cushion than most other counties here. Median income of $54,106 runs 28% below the national average, making housing affordability relatively strained.

Most expensive rental burden in this eight-county cluster

Roscommon's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Michigan's state average of 16.3%, making it the least affordable county in this northern Michigan grouping. Median rent of $789 ranks fifth among these eight counties, but income pressure is highest here.

Roscommon's renters most income-stressed locally

Though Roscommon's $789 median rent falls between Osceola ($764) and Ogemaw ($828), its lower median income of $54,106 creates the region's highest rent burden. Renters here have less financial flexibility than neighbors in comparable-priced counties.

Renters squeezed more than homeowners

Monthly gross rent of $789 consumes 17.5% of household income—substantially higher than the 14% burden for owner-occupied homes costing $634 monthly. This disparity makes homeownership significantly more attractive financially in Roscommon.

Roscommon offers less financial breathing room

Job seekers considering Roscommon should carefully compare expected salary against the $54,106 median income; renters face the region's tightest budget pressure. If you're relocating, prioritize finding stable employment at or above the county median to ensure housing affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Roscommon County

via IncomeByCounty

Roscommon significantly trails national income

Roscommon County's median household income of $54,106 falls $20,649 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower quartile of U.S. counties. This gap reflects economic challenges common to rural counties transitioning away from forestry and manufacturing toward tourism and service employment. Households here earn roughly 72% of the national median.

Roscommon ranks low within Michigan

At $54,106, Roscommon's median household income trails Michigan's state median of $64,304 by about $10,200, placing it clearly in the lower half of the state's counties. Per capita income of $37,099 exceeds the state average of $35,451 by about 5%, a modest bright spot suggesting some concentrated wealth among retirees. Overall economic conditions remain challenging for working-age residents.

Roscommon in lower-middle of peer group

Roscommon's $54,106 income ranks in the lower tier of regional peers, above only Oscoda ($50,581) and tied near Ogemaw ($51,983) and Ontonagon ($51,844). It trails Osceola ($57,050) by nearly $3,000 and significantly lags Otsego ($67,285) and Ottawa ($87,144). This positioning reflects Roscommon's continued dependence on declining resource-based industries.

Rising rents squeeze household budgets

Roscommon's rent-to-income ratio of 17.5% exceeds the healthy 15% threshold, indicating renters spend a significant share of income on housing costs. Median home values of $148,000 are moderate but consume a larger percentage of income than in better-paying counties. Households must budget tightly to cover housing, healthcare, and other essentials.

Modest savings compound over decades

Despite tight budgets, Roscommon residents can build wealth through automated savings—even $75–100 monthly invested consistently in index funds creates meaningful wealth over 25+ years. Prioritize any employer retirement benefits and explore zero-fee investment accounts offered by nonprofits or libraries. Small, regular financial discipline transforms constrained current income into future security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Roscommon County

via HealthByCounty

Below national average, above state

Roscommon County's 73.2-year life expectancy trails the U.S. average by 7.5 years but nearly matches Michigan's state average of 76.3 years. At 17.1% reporting poor or fair health, Roscommon's chronic disease burden mirrors state-level challenges.

Just below Michigan's health benchmark

At 73.2 years, Roscommon falls 3.1 years below Michigan's state average of 76.3 years, placing it in the lower quartile of Michigan counties. This gap persists despite a 6.7% uninsured rate matching regional peers.

Middle of the pack in region

Roscommon's 73.2-year life expectancy ranks fourth among eight peer counties, outpacing only Oscoda, Ontonagon, and Ogemaw. The 7-year gap between Roscommon and leading Ottawa County suggests significant room for health improvement.

Moderate provider availability improves care

Roscommon has 47 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 117 mental health providers per 100,000, a balanced mix exceeding some neighbors. With a 6.7% uninsured rate, the county's healthcare infrastructure appears adequate, yet life expectancy suggests other barriers to health persist.

Get insured, stay healthy

If you're among Roscommon's uninsured residents, enrollment through healthcare.gov opens access to preventive care that could extend your health and lifespan. A few minutes of enrollment could add years to your life—it's worth the time investment.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Roscommon County

via RiskByCounty

Roscommon faces elevated national disaster risk

Roscommon County's composite risk score of 56.68 ranks it as Relatively Low but still above the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county confronts a meaningful hazard profile driven by its forest landscape and geographic position.

Riskier than state average but manageable

Roscommon's score of 56.68 exceeds Michigan's state average of 49.56, positioning it in the higher half of the state's risk counties. The county's forest coverage and location in Michigan's central region account for this elevated profile.

Significantly riskier than nearby rural counties

Roscommon (56.68) faces substantially higher risk than neighboring Otsego (18.42), Oscoda (15.14), and Osceola (23.92). Only Ottawa County (82.89) to the east surpasses Roscommon's composite risk in this eight-county comparison.

Wildfire and flood are dual concerns

Wildfire risk (69.72) and flood risk (71.88) are nearly equal threats in Roscommon, both well above state averages. Tornado risk (47.07) is also elevated, while earthquake and hurricane risks remain modest in comparison.

Comprehensive protection addresses dual hazards

Roscommon residents should prioritize wildfire defensibility—clearing 30 feet around homes and removing dead vegetation—while also maintaining flood insurance for properties in mapped zones or near waterways. Ensure your homeowner's policy covers wind damage and confirm coverage limits match your home's replacement cost.

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.