CountyScore

Saginaw County

Michigan · MI

#79 in Michigan
61.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Saginaw County, Michigan

Saginaw scores well above the nation

Saginaw County's composite score of 64.0 ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 78th percentile nationally. This means Saginaw outperforms three-quarters of all U.S. counties on overall livability, a meaningful advantage for residents.

Just slightly below Michigan average

At 64.0, Saginaw scores just 4.7 points below Michigan's county average of 68.7, ranking solidly in the middle of the state. The county holds its own among peer Midwest communities seeking balance between affordability and opportunity.

Affordability is Saginaw's strongest asset

Saginaw excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 79.1—median rent sits at just $921/month and homes cost $139,400. The county's 1.571% effective tax rate is reasonable, though modestly higher than some neighboring counties.

Income levels lag behind state trends

The income score of 21.5 reflects a median household income of $58,347, notably below Michigan's broader opportunities. Data on schools, health, and safety remain limited, leaving important community questions unanswered for prospective residents.

Best for budget-conscious families

Saginaw suits families prioritizing low housing costs and tax efficiency over maximum earning potential. The county offers solid livability at an affordable price point, making it attractive to retirees, young professionals starting out, and cost-conscious households.

Score breakdown

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

Tax58.1Cost79.1SafetyComing SoonHealth69.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.5Risk11.5WaterComing Soon
🏛58.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡11.5
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 Saginaw County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Seminole County
Florida
61.1
Median income: $83,030
Ford County
Kansas
61.1
Median income: $70,495
Seward County
Kansas
61.1
Median income: $62,269
Stevens County
Kansas
61.1
Median income: $61,909
Frederick County
Maryland
61.1
Median income: $120,458

Deep Dives

Saginaw County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Saginaw County

via TaxByCounty

Saginaw taxes above national median

Saginaw County's effective tax rate of 1.571% significantly exceeds the national median of 1.0%, placing it in the top 35% of U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax bill here is $2,190 annually—far below the national median of $2,690—because home values are substantially lower. This means Saginaw homeowners pay a higher percentage of their home's value in taxes than the typical American.

35% higher taxes than state average

At 1.571%, Saginaw County's effective rate ranks among the highest in Michigan, significantly above the state average of 1.166%. This places Saginaw in the top quartile of Michigan counties for tax burden. The median property tax of $2,190 exceeds the state median of $2,102 by $88 annually.

Higher than most surrounding counties

Saginaw's 1.571% effective rate is notably steeper than nearby Shiawassee County (1.345%), Tuscola County (1.280%), and Sanilac County (0.917%). Among the eight-county region, only Saginaw and St. Clair County exceed the state average rate. Saginaw homeowners pay substantially more as a percentage of home value than their neighbors.

Median home taxes: $2,190 annually

A typical $139,400 home in Saginaw County generates roughly $2,190 in annual property taxes at the current effective rate. With mortgage, the total tax burden reaches $2,314; without mortgage, it drops to $2,045. This translates to approximately $183 per month in property taxes for a median-valued home.

Many homeowners can appeal assessments

Across Michigan, thousands of homeowners discover their properties are overassessed, leading to inflated tax bills. Saginaw County residents paying the county's above-average effective rate should review their assessment notices and consider filing an appeal if values seem high relative to recent sales. A successful challenge can reduce your tax burden significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Saginaw County

via CostByCounty

Saginaw rents stretch family budgets

Saginaw County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.9% exceeds the national average, meaning renters here spend nearly one-fifth of their income on housing compared to typical U.S. patterns. The median household income of $58,347 falls $16,408 below the national median, while median rent at $921 per month pushes affordability to uncomfortable levels.

Among Michigan's least affordable counties

Saginaw County ranks among Michigan's more expensive housing markets, with a rent-to-income ratio of 18.9% versus the state average of 16.3%. At $921 monthly, Saginaw rents run $48 higher than Michigan's median, placing the county above the state baseline for affordability stress.

Pricier than Tuscola, cheaper than St. Clair

Saginaw's $921 rent sits between Tuscola County's $796 and St. Clair County's $999, reflecting its middle position in the region's rental market. However, Saginaw's lower income compared to St. Clair ($58,347 vs. $69,349) means residents spend a higher percentage of earnings on housing despite paying less in absolute dollars.

Housing costs consume nearly one-fifth of income

Renters spending $921 monthly use 18.9% of a $58,347 annual income, while homeowners with an $830 monthly mortgage dedicate 17.1% of income to ownership costs. Together, these figures show that Saginaw households bear substantial housing burdens across both rental and purchase markets.

Considering Saginaw? Compare your options

If relocating to Saginaw, verify that your household income comfortably covers 18.9% for rent or 17.1% for ownership—higher than Michigan's baseline. Nearby Schoolcraft County offers lower housing costs (13.6% rent ratio), while Sanilac provides a similar affordability profile at slightly lower absolute rents.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Saginaw County

via IncomeByCounty

Saginaw lags behind national income benchmarks

Saginaw County's median household income of $58,347 falls 22% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower tier nationally. This gap suggests families here have less purchasing power than the typical American household, affecting everything from housing to daily expenses.

Below Michigan's county average

At $58,347, Saginaw's median household income trails Michigan's county average of $64,304 by roughly $6,000 annually. The county ranks in the lower half of Michigan's 83 counties, reflecting economic challenges in the region.

Saginaw's income gap among peers

Saginaw households earn less than neighboring Shiawassee County ($64,464) and St. Clair County ($69,349), but slightly more than Schoolcraft County ($57,708). These comparisons show uneven economic development across Michigan's mid-state region.

Housing costs are manageable here

Saginaw's rent-to-income ratio of 18.9% is slightly elevated but still within acceptable ranges, meaning housing consumes less than one-fifth of typical household income. The median home value of $139,400 remains accessible relative to median earnings, supporting housing stability for many residents.

Build financial resilience in Saginaw

With median income at $58,347, establishing an emergency fund and low-cost investment accounts can help Saginaw families weather economic shifts. Even small, regular contributions to retirement savings compound significantly over time, creating long-term wealth despite current income constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Saginaw County

via HealthByCounty

Saginaw's Life Expectancy Lags National Peers

At 74.5 years, Saginaw County residents live about 4.5 years less than the U.S. average of 79 years. Nearly 21% of residents report poor or fair health, above the national average of 15%. These figures suggest significant health challenges that warrant closer attention and intervention.

Below Michigan's Health Rankings

Saginaw's life expectancy of 74.5 years falls 1.8 years below Michigan's state average of 76.3 years, placing it in the lower tier of Michigan counties. The 20.8% poor/fair health rate also exceeds the state profile. This county faces steeper health obstacles than most of its peers across the state.

Saginaw Trails Regional Health Benchmarks

Compared to Tuscola County (75.3 years) and Sanilac County (75.3 years) nearby, Saginaw residents experience notably shorter lifespans. However, Saginaw boasts more primary care providers at 87 per 100K—nearly triple Sanilac's 32—and significantly more mental health providers at 362 per 100K versus Tuscola's 286. Provider supply doesn't fully offset underlying health disparities.

Good Uninsured Rate, Provider Access Gaps

Saginaw's 5.5% uninsured rate matches the state's best performers and sits well below Michigan's average of 6.4%. Yet with 87 primary care providers per 100K, residents still report difficulty scheduling appointments and accessing timely care in rural pockets. Mental health support is relatively robust at 362 per 100K, but primary care remains the real constraint.

Already Insured—Now Optimize Your Plan

Most Saginaw residents have coverage, but it's worth checking if your plan matches your needs. Visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance or call 1-800-867-9272 to review options, compare deductibles, and ensure you're accessing preventive care. Better coverage alignment could help close the gap in life expectancy outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Saginaw County

via RiskByCounty

Saginaw faces above-average disaster risk

Saginaw County scores 88.55 on the composite risk scale, placing it well above Michigan's state average of 49.56 and significantly higher than the national median. This "Relatively Moderate" rating reflects meaningful exposure to multiple hazard types that residents should understand and prepare for. The county's risk profile demands serious attention to home protection and emergency planning.

Among Michigan's riskier counties

Saginaw County ranks as one of the higher-risk counties statewide, driven by particularly elevated flood and tornado exposure compared to most other Michigan communities. With a composite score nearly 80% above the state average, Saginaw faces hazards that affect fewer residents in safer parts of Michigan. This elevated ranking underscores the importance of county-specific preparedness in this region.

Saginaw's risks dwarf nearby areas

Saginaw's score of 88.55 far exceeds neighboring Tuscola County (73.06) and Sanilac County (70.32), making it the riskiest county in its immediate region. While all three counties sit in Michigan's higher-risk band, Saginaw's 15+ point gap reflects substantially greater tornado and flood exposure. This geographic variation means neighboring communities face significantly different disaster preparedness needs.

Tornadoes and flooding dominate here

Saginaw County faces exceptional tornado risk (93.29) and severe flood risk (91.44), both among the state's highest—these two hazards alone shape much of the county's overall danger profile. Earthquake risk is moderate at 59.70, while wildfire risk remains low at 16.03. Residents should prioritize tornado safety infrastructure and flood-resistant building practices as the core of their disaster preparation strategy.

Flood and wind coverage are critical

Given Saginaw's 91.44 flood risk score, standard homeowners insurance is insufficient—most policies exclude flooding entirely, so separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is essential. Wind and hail coverage should also be verified in your homeowners policy to protect against tornado damage. Review your coverage now and consider a professional home inspection to identify vulnerabilities to water intrusion and wind damage.

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.