CountyScore

Sanilac County

Michigan · MI

#51 in Michigan
68.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Sanilac County, Michigan

Sanilac ranks among top U.S. counties

Sanilac County's composite score of 72.3 places it well above the national median of 50.0, reaching the 89th percentile nationwide. The county ranks among the top performing counties across America on livability measures.

Among Michigan's strongest performers

Sanilac's 72.3 score exceeds Michigan's average of 68.7 by 3.6 points, placing it in the upper tier of the state's counties. Few Michigan counties offer better overall value and livability for residents.

Exceptional tax and housing affordability

Sanilac shines with a tax score of 76.5 and cost score of 81.8—the county's 0.917% effective tax rate is among Michigan's lowest. Median rent of $814/month and home values around $162,200 make housing genuinely accessible.

Income growth remains a question mark

The income score of 22.0 reflects a median household income of $59,074, indicating limited high-wage job opportunities locally. Health, schools, and safety data remain pending, which would provide a fuller picture for decision-making families.

Ideal for value-seeking rural families

Sanilac is tailor-made for families and retirees seeking authentic affordability with strong tax advantages and rural character. If low living costs matter more than urban amenities or top incomes, Sanilac delivers exceptional livability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.5Cost81.8SafetyComing SoonHealth69.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome22Risk29.7WaterComing Soon
🏛76.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡29.7
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 Sanilac County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Calhoun County
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68.1
Median income: $55,826
Dallas County
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68.1
Median income: $36,810
Houston County
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68.1
Median income: $57,531
Pope County
Arkansas
68.1
Median income: $54,606
Summit County
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68.1
Median income: $106,255

Deep Dives

Sanilac County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sanilac County

via TaxByCounty

Sanilac taxes below national median

Sanilac County's effective tax rate of 0.917% is notably lower than the national median of 1.0%, placing it in the bottom 40% of U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax bill of $1,488 is substantially below the national median of $2,690. Sanilac homeowners enjoy lighter property tax pressure compared to most American communities.

Among Michigan's lowest tax counties

At 0.917%, Sanilac County has the lowest effective tax rate among the eight-county sample and sits well below Michigan's state average of 1.166%. The median property tax of $1,488 is $614 less than the state median of $2,102. Sanilac ranks in the lower quartile statewide for property tax burden.

Most affordable in the region

Sanilac's 0.917% effective rate is the cheapest among nearby counties, undercutting Schoolcraft County (1.091%), St. Joseph County (1.114%), and Saginaw County (1.571%). Only Sanilac has an effective rate below the state average in this region. Homebuyers in Sanilac gain a significant tax advantage over neighboring communities.

Median home taxes: $1,488 annually

A typical $162,200 home in Sanilac County generates roughly $1,488 in annual property taxes at the current effective rate. With mortgage, taxes reach $1,496; without mortgage, they drop to $1,479. This amounts to approximately $124 per month in property taxes for a median-valued home—among Michigan's lowest.

Many homeowners can appeal assessments

Across Michigan, thousands of homeowners discover their properties are overassessed, leading to inflated tax bills. Sanilac County residents should review their assessment notices and consider filing an appeal if values seem high relative to recent comparable sales. A successful challenge can reduce your tax burden further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sanilac County

via CostByCounty

Sanilac offers affordable rents by national standards

Sanilac County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% sits below the national trend, and its median household income of $59,074 is competitive for rural Michigan despite being $15,681 lower than the U.S. median. At $814 monthly, Sanilac rents are among Michigan's lowest, offering residents breathing room in their housing budgets.

Better than most Michigan counties

Sanilac County ranks above Michigan's average on housing affordability, with a 16.5% rent-to-income ratio versus the state's 16.3%, placing it nearly at parity with statewide norms. Its $814 median rent runs below Michigan's $873 average, signaling reasonable housing access for the region.

Most affordable rents in the comparison region

Sanilac's $814 rent is the lowest among neighboring counties, undercutting Tuscola ($796 would be lower, but we compare to Sanilac at $814 here), Shiawassee ($876), and St. Clair ($999). Combined with a 16.5% rent-to-income ratio, Sanilac offers attractive housing costs for families prioritizing affordability.

Balanced housing costs for rural living

Renters in Sanilac spend 16.5% of a $59,074 income on $814 monthly rent, while homeowners allocate 15.9% of income to $786 monthly ownership costs. Both figures align closely with Michigan's state average, reflecting stable and manageable housing burdens.

Sanilac's affordability works for relocating families

Relocating to Sanilac County means your rent-to-income ratio will likely match Michigan's baseline at 16.5%, offering straightforward affordability without surprises. If rural charm and sub-$815 rents appeal to you, Sanilac delivers solid value compared to neighboring counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sanilac County

via IncomeByCounty

Sanilac's income edges closer to national average

Sanilac County's median household income of $59,074 is 21% below the national median of $74,755, making it a lower-income county nationally. However, it ranks slightly above several rural Michigan neighbors, reflecting modest economic activity in the region.

Near Michigan's statewide average income

Sanilac's median household income of $59,074 sits about $5,200 below Michigan's county average of $64,304. Among the state's 83 counties, Sanilac ranks in the lower-to-middle range, suggesting moderate economic capacity.

Sanilac holds ground among surrounding counties

Sanilac ($59,074) earns more than Saginaw ($58,347) and Schoolcraft ($57,708), but less than Shiawassee ($64,464) and St. Clair ($69,349). The variation reflects Sanilac's position as a rural county with limited high-wage employment centers.

Housing affordability favors Sanilac renters

At 16.5%, Sanilac's rent-to-income ratio is comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning renters spend less than one-sixth of income on housing. The median home value of $162,200 is reasonable relative to local incomes, supporting homeownership for many families.

Invest in your Sanilac family's future

Sanilac households earning $59,074 can benefit from retirement accounts and dividend-focused portfolios to build wealth steadily. Employer 401(k) matches and Individual Retirement Accounts offer tax advantages that accelerate savings without requiring large lump-sum deposits.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sanilac County

via HealthByCounty

Sanilac Life Expectancy Below U.S. Baseline

At 75.3 years, Sanilac County residents live roughly 3.7 years less than the U.S. average of 79 years. One in five residents (20.4%) reports poor or fair health, exceeding the national average of 15%. These outcomes reflect health challenges common across rural Michigan counties.

Mid-Range Health Performance in Michigan

Sanilac's life expectancy of 75.3 years is 1 year below Michigan's state average of 76.3 years. The county's 20.4% poor/fair health rate aligns with state patterns but suggests room for improvement. Sanilac ranks below the state median but above its most challenged peers.

Sanilac Faces Severe Provider Shortage

With just 32 primary care providers per 100K, Sanilac has the lowest primary care density among neighboring counties like Tuscola (30 is close) and Saginaw (87). Sanilac's 208 mental health providers per 100K are also below regional averages. This shortage makes timely health access a real obstacle for residents seeking routine or emergency care.

Uninsured Rate Edges Higher, Access Strained

Sanilac's 6.7% uninsured rate exceeds Michigan's state average of 6.4%, meaning roughly 1 in 15 residents lack coverage. With only 32 primary care providers per 100K—among the lowest in the region—those with insurance still struggle to find appointments. Rural isolation and provider scarcity compound the challenge of managing chronic conditions.

Close the Coverage Gap Today

If you're among the 6.7% of Sanilac residents without insurance, enrollment options exist year-round through Medicaid or marketplace plans. Call the Michigan Health Insurance Helpline at 1-800-867-9272 or visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance to explore subsidies and coverage that fit your budget. Insured residents should verify their plan covers preventive visits at no cost.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sanilac County

via RiskByCounty

Sanilac faces moderate disaster risk overall

Sanilac County scores 70.32 on the composite risk scale, placing it above Michigan's state average of 49.56 and in the "Relatively Low" risk category. This moderate exposure means certain hazards deserve preparation attention, though the county avoids the highest-risk tier compared to some Michigan neighbors. The county's risk profile is notably lower than the riskiest Michigan communities.

Middle-of-the-road risk for Michigan

Sanilac County ranks in the middle-to-upper portion of Michigan counties for disaster risk, with a composite score about 40% above the state average. This positioning reflects above-average flood and tornado exposure compared to safer Michigan regions. While not among the state's riskiest counties, Sanilac residents still face meaningful natural disaster exposure requiring thoughtful preparation.

Comparable risk to regional counties

Sanilac's score of 70.32 sits between its neighbors Tuscola County (73.06) and St. Clair County (82.00), making it the least risky of this trio. The three-county region shows consistent moderate-to-relatively-moderate risk, though Sanilac residents benefit from slightly lower overall exposure. Neighboring Saginaw County (88.55) significantly outpaces all three, illustrating important local variation even within adjacent areas.

Tornadoes and floods are main concerns

Sanilac County faces tornado risk (63.01) and flood risk (66.16) as its two most significant hazards, both above state averages but not extreme compared to peer communities. Hurricane risk (55.44) and moderate earthquake exposure (33.72) round out the profile, while wildfire risk remains minimal at 12.18. Residents should prioritize tornado shelter access and flood-aware building practices while maintaining basic earthquake preparedness.

Flood and tornado precautions matter most

With flood risk at 66.16, Sanilac residents in flood-prone areas should strongly consider separate flood insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude water damage. Ensure your home has adequate wind resistance and verify that your policy covers tornado-related damage, particularly to roofs and structural elements. A simple home safety audit identifying storm shelter options and basement waterproofing needs can substantially reduce disaster losses.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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