countyscore
55.8
County Score
Disaster Risk 93.3Water Quality 86Cost of Living 82.8

County Report Card

About Schoolcraft County, Michigan

A National Leader in Livability

Schoolcraft County scores a 55.6, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high-performing rural environment that beats the national average on several key fronts.

Exceeding Michigan Standards

The county's score of 55.6 easily clears the Michigan state average of 47.1. It ranks among the more desirable counties in the state, particularly for those looking outside major metropolitan hubs.

Unmatched Resilience and Affordability

Schoolcraft shines with a near-perfect risk score of 93.3 and a water score of 86.0. Housing is exceptionally affordable with a cost score of 83.8, supported by median rents of only $654 per month.

Addressing Lower Income and Safety Scores

The county sees its lowest marks in safety at 31.6 and income at 32.3. With a median household income of $57,708, the area lags behind wealthier suburban districts despite its low cost of living.

The Ultimate Choice for Retirees

With extremely low housing costs and high environmental resilience, Schoolcraft is a haven for those on fixed incomes or remote workers. It suits residents who prioritize a quiet, low-risk lifestyle over high-earning career opportunities.

2040608010036.582.831.657.664.425.393.38651.6Tax36.5Cost82.8Safety31.6Health57.6Schools64.4Income25.3Risk93.3Water86Weather51.655.8/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Schoolcraft County DNA

Foverall

How Schoolcraft County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Schoolcraft County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (93.3/100) but notably weak in Income (25.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
36.5-15.5
Cost
82.8+34.8
Safety
31.6-23.4
Health
57.6
Schools
64.4+10.400000000000006
Income
25.3-25.7
Risk
93.3+46.3
Water
86+28
Weather
51.6
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$141,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$705/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$141,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$28,200/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $56,782/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

24.7

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Alger County
Michigan
64.7
Delta County
Michigan
49.7
Luce County
Michigan
53.3
Charlevoix County
Michigan
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Mackinac County
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Marquette County
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Emmet County
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Menominee County
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Deep Dives

Schoolcraft County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Schoolcraft County

via TaxByCounty

Schoolcraft taxes below national median

Schoolcraft County's effective tax rate of 1.091% sits just above the national median of 1.0%, placing it near the 50th percentile of U.S. counties. The median property tax bill of $1,348 is less than half the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's lower home values. Schoolcraft homeowners pay a moderate percentage of home value in taxes compared to the rest of America.

Below-average Michigan tax burden

At 1.091%, Schoolcraft County's effective rate falls below Michigan's state average of 1.166%, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. The median property tax of $1,348 is $754 below the state median of $2,102. Schoolcraft residents enjoy somewhat lighter property tax pressure than typical Michigan homeowners.

Second-lowest among nearby counties

Schoolcraft's 1.091% effective rate is lower than Saginaw County (1.571%), Shiawassee County (1.345%), and Tuscola County (1.280%), but slightly higher than Sanilac County (0.917%). Among the eight-county region, only Sanilac has a lower rate. Schoolcraft offers moderately affordable property taxes within its geographic area.

Median home taxes: $1,348 annually

A typical $123,500 home in Schoolcraft County generates roughly $1,348 in annual property taxes at the current effective rate. With mortgage, taxes rise to $1,436; without mortgage, they fall to $1,261. This amounts to approximately $112 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. Schoolcraft 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 significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Schoolcraft County

via IncomeByCounty

Schoolcraft ranks among lowest-income counties

Schoolcraft County's median household income of $57,708 falls 23% below the $74,755 national median, placing it in the lowest national income tier. Residents face significant economic headwinds compared to the typical U.S. household.

Schoolcraft trails Michigan county average

At $57,708, Schoolcraft is the lowest-income county in this eight-county group, sitting $6,596 below Michigan's average of $64,304. The county ranks near the bottom of Michigan's 83 counties, reflecting limited economic diversification.

Schoolcraft has smallest income in peer group

Schoolcraft's median income of $57,708 is lower than all comparable counties in this analysis, including Saginaw ($58,347) and Sanilac ($59,074). This positions Schoolcraft as the most economically challenged among its regional peers.

Housing costs are exceptionally low here

Schoolcraft's rent-to-income ratio of 13.6% is the lowest in this group, giving residents the most housing affordability cushion. The median home value of $123,500 is highly accessible on a $57,708 income, making homeownership realistic for many families.

Start small, invest consistently in Schoolcraft

With lower housing costs freeing up income, Schoolcraft residents should prioritize emergency savings before any investment. Once a $1,000–$2,000 cushion exists, low-cost index funds and automatic monthly contributions can build wealth even on modest earnings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Schoolcraft County

via CrimeByCounty

Schoolcraft's Standing on the National Stage

Schoolcraft County records a total crime rate of 1,612.5 per 100K, which is safer than the national average of 2,385.5. It earns a safety score of 97.5 out of 100. This data indicates a generally secure environment for residents and visitors alike.

Safety Ranking Within Michigan

The county's crime rate is slightly higher than the Michigan average of 1,371.8 per 100K. As a result, its safety score is just below the state average of 97.8. Three reporting agencies provide the data for these local assessments.

Comparing Schoolcraft to Nearby Counties

Schoolcraft reports more crime activity than Sanilac County (687.0) but remains well below national averages. Its safety profile is typical for its population size in the Upper Peninsula. Regional comparisons help put these three reporting agencies' data into perspective.

Analyzing Violent and Property Crime

The violent crime rate is 521.0 per 100K, which is somewhat higher than the national average of 369.8. Conversely, the property crime rate of 1,091.5 is nearly half the national benchmark of 2,015.7. This suggests that while violent incidents are more frequent than the U.S. average, property is relatively safe.

Home Security Tips for Schoolcraft Residents

Homeowners should focus on motion-sensor lighting to protect their property from theft. Staying vigilant and locking vehicles can further reduce the risk of property crime. These simple steps help preserve the county's safety for everyone.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Schoolcraft County

via WeatherByCounty

One of the nation's coldest counties

Schoolcraft County averages just 41.8°F annually, significantly lower than the national median temperature. It receives 33.3 inches of precipitation, typical for the Upper Peninsula.

Far below the Michigan state average

At 41.8°F, Schoolcraft is 3.9 degrees colder than the state average of 45.7°F. This makes it one of the most consistently cold counties in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Colder than many Lower Peninsula counties

Schoolcraft is nearly a full degree colder than Otsego County (42.5°F). Its northern latitude and proximity to Lake Superior create a climate where extreme heat is virtually non-existent.

Mild summers with zero extreme heat

July averages a cool 64.8°F, and the county typically records zero days per year reaching 90°F. January is harsh with a 17.8°F average, though specific snowfall figures are currently unavailable.

Invest heavily in heating and winter gear

Air conditioning is almost never needed given the lack of 90-degree days. Residents should focus resources on high-grade home heating and heavy-duty winter attire to handle the cold 20.5°F winter average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Schoolcraft County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Wetlands of the Upper Peninsula

Schoolcraft County presents a unique profile with an average pH of 4.47, making it far more acidic than the national median of 6.5. This high acidity is typical for the region's vast wetlands and peatlands. Because so much of the county is dominated by water-rich environments, standard taxonomic classifications are limited.

Minimal Mineral Content

The soil composition is unusually low in mineral particles, with only 16.1% sand, 7.3% silt, and a mere 1.0% clay. The dominant 'texture' is often simply water or muck, reflecting the county's boggy landscape. This means the soil lacks traditional structural workability but serves as a massive carbon sink.

Massive Organic Matter Reserves

Schoolcraft boasts an incredible 58.62% organic matter, nearly triple the Michigan state average of 19.76%. This leads to a very high available water capacity of 0.395 in/in, doubling the state benchmark. While nutrient-rich, the high acidity and saturation limit the types of plants that can thrive here.

A Landscape Defined by Water

Specific drainage and hydrologic group data are unavailable, as much of the area remains in a natural, saturated state. The high organic content acts like a sponge, holding vast amounts of water and influencing the entire regional ecosystem. Building and farming require specialized knowledge of these unique, wet conditions.

Toughened Growth in Zone 5a

The cooler 5a hardiness zone and acidic soils favor specialty crops like blueberries and cranberries. Traditional gardens will likely require lime to raise the pH and raised beds to escape the heavy saturation. However, the sheer organic wealth of this land offers a unique opportunity for native, acid-loving species.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Schoolcraft County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging Conditions in the Upper Peninsula

With a lawn difficulty score of 53.8, Schoolcraft County is one of the more challenging places in Michigan to grow grass. Falling well below the state average of 60.1, the cold USDA Hardiness Zone 5a climate requires specific, hardy turf choices.

Short Seasons and Zero Heat Stress

This county experiences 0 extreme heat days per year, meaning summer wilt is rarely a concern for homeowners. However, with only 1,560 growing degree days, the biological window for grass to establish and thrive is significantly shorter than in lower Michigan.

Correcting Highly Acidic Soil Profiles

The soil pH is 4.47, which is far too acidic for standard lawns without significant lime applications. Because local data indicates unique soil textures and limited drainage info, a professional soil test is the essential first step for any project.

Naturally High Resilience and Low Drought

Schoolcraft enjoyed a year with only 10 weeks of drought and currently has 0.0% of the area in dry conditions. While water is plentiful, the primary challenge remains the short growing window rather than lack of moisture.

Choose Hardy Varieties for Zone 5a

Stick with cold-hardy fine fescues that can survive the long winters and the late spring frost on May 9. You must act quickly during the brief summer, as the first fall frost typically arrives by October 10.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Schoolcraft County's county score?
Schoolcraft County, Michigan has a composite county score of 55.8 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 Schoolcraft County rank among counties in Michigan?
Schoolcraft County ranks #12 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 Schoolcraft County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Schoolcraft County is $1,407, with an effective tax rate of 0.99%. This earns Schoolcraft County a tax score of 36.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Schoolcraft County?
The median household income in Schoolcraft County, Michigan is $56,782 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Schoolcraft County earns an income score of 25.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Schoolcraft County, Michigan a good place to live?
Schoolcraft County scores 55.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #12 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Schoolcraft 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 Schoolcraft County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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