CountyScore

St. Clair County

Michigan · MI

#68 in Michigan
65
County Score

County Report Card

About St. Clair County, Michigan

St. Clair ranks above national performance

St. Clair County's composite score of 67.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 84th percentile among U.S. counties. The county delivers livability performance that outpaces the vast majority of American communities.

Slightly below Michigan's average

At 67.1, St. Clair sits 1.6 points below Michigan's county average of 68.7, ranking just outside the top tier of state performers. The county remains a solid choice within Michigan's competitive regional landscape.

Highest income potential in this cohort

St. Clair claims the second-highest income score (28.7) with a median household income of $69,349, supporting stronger purchasing power than most peer counties. The 1.165% effective tax rate remains reasonable despite higher home values around $213,900.

Housing costs run higher than region

The cost score of 75.0 is the lowest in this eight-county comparison, with median rent at $999/month and median home values exceeding $213,900. This reflects St. Clair's proximity to more developed areas and suburban demand.

Best for professionals seeking suburb feel

St. Clair suits working professionals and established families with above-average incomes who accept higher housing costs for better employment and amenities. The county offers the strongest earning potential here, though buyers must budget more for property.

Score breakdown

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

Tax69.5Cost75SafetyComing SoonHealth75SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.7Risk18WaterComing Soon
🏛69.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡18
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 St. Clair County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Adams County
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Massac County
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Deep Dives

St. Clair County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in St. Clair County

via TaxByCounty

St. Clair taxes near national median

St. Clair County's effective tax rate of 1.165% aligns almost exactly with the national median of 1.0%, placing it at the 50th percentile of U.S. counties. The median property tax bill of $2,493 is below the national median of $2,690 due to lower regional home values. St. Clair homeowners pay a slightly above-average percentage of home value in taxes compared to most Americans.

Matches Michigan's state average

At 1.165%, St. Clair County's effective rate virtually matches Michigan's state average of 1.166%, placing it squarely in the middle of Michigan counties by tax burden. The median property tax of $2,493 exceeds the state median of $2,102 by $391 annually. St. Clair residents experience typical property tax pressure for Michigan homeowners.

Higher than most surrounding counties

St. Clair's 1.165% effective rate exceeds Sanilac County (0.917%), Schoolcraft County (1.091%), and St. Joseph County (1.114%), though it falls below Saginaw County (1.571%) and Shiawassee County (1.345%). Among the eight-county region, St. Clair ranks in the upper-middle tier for tax burden. The county's rate is moderately steeper than most surrounding areas.

Median home taxes: $2,493 annually

A typical $213,900 home in St. Clair County generates roughly $2,493 in annual property taxes at the current effective rate. With mortgage, taxes reach $2,548; without mortgage, they drop to $2,404. This amounts to approximately $208 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. St. Clair 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

Cost of Living in St. Clair County

via CostByCounty

St. Clair balances higher income and housing costs

St. Clair County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% edges above the national average, offset partly by a median household income of $69,349—the highest among the eight-county comparison and just $5,406 below the U.S. median. At $999 monthly, St. Clair rents run the highest in the region, but stronger incomes offset affordability pressure.

Above Michigan's affordability average

St. Clair County ranks among Michigan's less affordable markets, with a 17.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeding the state's 16.3% baseline. Its $999 monthly rent is the highest in the eight-county region, placing it $126 above Michigan's median.

The region's priciest rental market

St. Clair's $999 rent significantly outpaces all neighboring counties—$183 above Shiawassee, $185 above Saginaw, and $345 above Schoolcraft. Its 17.3% rent-to-income ratio trails only Saginaw (18.9%), indicating that despite higher incomes, St. Clair residents face the steepest housing affordability challenges regionally.

Higher income supports elevated housing costs

St. Clair renters spend 17.3% of a $69,349 income on $999 monthly rent, while homeowners dedicate 17.4% to a $1,007 monthly mortgage on homes worth $213,900—the highest median home value in the region. The county's relatively strong income base absorbs these premium housing costs more effectively than lower-income neighbors.

St. Clair suits higher-earning relocators

Relocating to St. Clair County works best if your household income approaches or exceeds $69,349; otherwise, the 17.3% rent ratio will strain your budget. If you prioritize established neighborhoods and don't mind premium rents, St. Clair's higher incomes and $213,900 median home values reflect stronger property stability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in St. Clair County

via IncomeByCounty

St. Clair approaches national income parity

St. Clair County's median household income of $69,349 is 7% below the national median of $74,755, making it far closer to the U.S. average than most of its peers. The county's relative affluence reflects stronger regional economic activity.

St. Clair leads Michigan's mid-tier counties

At $69,349, St. Clair's median household income exceeds Michigan's county average of $64,304 by $5,045, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 83 counties. This signals stronger job markets and wage earning power in the region.

St. Clair County's income leadership clear

St. Clair ($69,349) outearns all other counties in this analysis except Van Buren ($66,902), making it the economic anchor of the group. The $10,000+ advantage over Saginaw reflects significant regional disparities.

Housing costs rise with St. Clair's income

St. Clair's rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% is moderate and manageable, though the median home value of $213,900 is the highest in this group. Higher incomes support these elevated housing prices, maintaining affordability relative to earnings.

Leverage St. Clair's income advantages

St. Clair's $69,349 median income positions households to aggressively pursue wealth building through real estate investment, stock market participation, and tax-advantaged accounts. Families should explore 529 education plans for children and explore side income opportunities to accelerate asset growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in St. Clair County

via HealthByCounty

St. Clair Life Expectancy Trails National Average

At 75.0 years, St. Clair County residents live about 4 years less than the U.S. average of 79 years. However, the county's 16.2% poor/fair health rate is below the national average of 15%, suggesting better day-to-day health quality despite shorter lifespans. This pattern points to health challenges concentrated in specific populations.

St. Clair Below State Average Life Expectancy

St. Clair's life expectancy of 75.0 years falls 1.3 years below Michigan's state average of 76.3 years, placing it in the lower tier. Yet the 16.2% poor/fair health rate is better than the state profile, suggesting St. Clair residents experience relatively good wellness day-to-day but face mortality pressures. This is a mixed health picture.

St. Clair Offers Moderate Provider Resources

With 44 primary care providers per 100K, St. Clair has more access than Sanilac (32) or Tuscola (30) but fewer than Saginaw (87). Mental health providers at 285 per 100K are solid. St. Clair's provider supply is reasonable for a county of its size and population.

Best-in-Class Insurance Coverage, Adequate Care

St. Clair's 4.8% uninsured rate is the lowest among all eight counties and well below Michigan's 6.4% average. With 44 primary care and 285 mental health providers per 100K, residents have good access to care. Strong insurance coverage and provider availability should support better long-term health outcomes.

St. Clair's Model—Nearly Universal Coverage

St. Clair leads the region with 95%+ insurance coverage; if you're in the 4.8% gap, enrollment is quick and affordable. Visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance or call 1-800-867-9272 to apply for Medicaid or marketplace coverage. Insured residents should use preventive benefits to close the life expectancy gap over time.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in St. Clair County

via RiskByCounty

St. Clair faces significant disaster exposure

St. Clair County scores 82.00 on the composite risk scale, placing it well above Michigan's state average of 49.56 and in the "Relatively Moderate" risk category. This elevated rating reflects meaningful exposure across multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes and flooding. The county ranks among Michigan's more hazardous regions and demands serious disaster preparedness from residents.

Among Michigan's highest-risk counties

St. Clair County ranks as one of Michigan's riskier counties statewide, with a composite score about 65% above the state average. Elevated tornado (87.21), flood (85.94), and moderate wildfire (33.52) risks drive this ranking. This positioning places St. Clair residents in territory requiring substantive natural disaster awareness and preparation.

Riskiest county in its regional cluster

St. Clair's score of 82.00 significantly exceeds nearby Sanilac County (70.32) and Tuscola County (73.06), making it the region's highest-risk area. Only Saginaw County (88.55) surpasses St. Clair's exposure in this part of Michigan, creating a small cluster of notably hazardous counties. Regional geographic and weather patterns concentrate disaster risk in these neighboring communities.

Tornadoes and floods are principal threats

St. Clair County faces exceptionally high tornado risk (87.21) and severe flood risk (85.94), both among Michigan's highest—these two hazards constitute the core disaster danger. Earthquake exposure is moderate at 50.83, while wildfire and hurricane risks remain in the low-to-moderate range. Residents must prioritize tornado shelter access and flood-resistant building as foundational safety strategies.

Comprehensive flood and wind protection needed

St. Clair's 85.94 flood risk score demands that residents in flood-prone areas secure separate flood insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude water damage. Ensure your homeowners policy provides robust wind and hail coverage adequate for the county's 87.21 tornado risk. Professional assessment of basement waterproofing and roof condition can identify cost-effective vulnerability reductions.

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.