countyscore
38.4
County Score
Lawn Care 65.5Water Quality 56.3Income & Jobs 53.1

County Report Card

About St. Joseph County, Michigan

Striving Toward the National Median

St. Joseph County holds a composite score of 38.4, which trails the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a rural area with specific economic strengths but room to grow in public services.

Trailing the Michigan Average

With a score of 38.4, St. Joseph County ranks below the Michigan average of 47.1. It sits in a competitive regional position but faces tougher challenges in safety and education than other parts of the state.

Healthy Incomes and Balanced Housing

The county performs well in income with a score of 53.1 and maintains a balanced cost score of 50.1. A median household income of $64,707 is paired with manageable monthly rents averaging $825.

Focus Areas: Safety and Schools

St. Joseph’s scores are lowest in safety at 23.9 and school quality at 28.0. These figures suggest that improving local public infrastructure and community security are critical for future growth.

A Practical Choice for Workforce Families

St. Joseph County suits working families who need a balanced ratio between their income and housing costs. It is a functional, stable environment for those who prioritize economic utility over high-ranking school districts.

2040608010030.250.123.948.62853.141.456.351.8Tax30.2Cost50.1Safety23.9Health48.6Schools28Income53.1Risk41.4Water56.3Weather51.838.4/100
This county
National avg
3 below average

St. Joseph County DNA

Foverall

How St. Joseph County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

St. Joseph County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (23.9/100), though Cost of Living (50.1/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
30.2-21.8
Cost
50.1
Safety
23.9-31.1
Health
48.6
Schools
28-26
Income
53.1
Risk
41.4
Water
56.3
Weather
51.8
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in St. Joseph County?

Many homeowners in St. Joseph County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$167,600

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$825/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$167,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,000/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $64,707/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.7

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
Compare St. Joseph County with Weld County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Weld County
Colorado
Median income: $93,287
38.4
Worth County
Georgia
Median income: $57,201
38.4
Saline County
Kansas
Median income: $63,316
38.4
Lewis and Clark County
Montana
Median income: $74,543
38.4
Tompkins County
New York
Median income: $73,012
38.4
Tulsa County
Oklahoma
Median income: $67,317
38.4
Hill County
Texas
Median income: $63,147
38.4
Jim Hogg County
Texas
Median income: $42,230
38.4

Nearby counties

LaGrange County
Indiana
58
Cass County
Michigan
41.1
Elkhart County
Indiana
36.6
Branch County
Michigan
37.2
Kalamazoo County
Michigan
31
Noble County
Indiana
55.4
Steuben County
Indiana
51
Van Buren County
Michigan
38.3

Deep Dives

St. Joseph County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in St. Joseph County

via TaxByCounty

St. Joseph taxes below national median

St. Joseph County's effective tax rate of 1.114% is slightly above the national median of 1.0%, placing it at the 45th percentile of U.S. counties. The median property tax bill of $1,867 is $823 below the national median of $2,690 due to lower home values. St. Joseph homeowners pay a near-average percentage of home value in taxes relative to most American communities.

Below-average Michigan tax burden

At 1.114%, St. Joseph County's effective rate falls slightly below Michigan's state average of 1.166%, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Michigan counties by tax burden. The median property tax of $1,867 is $235 less than the state median of $2,102. St. Joseph residents enjoy somewhat lighter property tax pressure than typical Michigan homeowners.

Most affordable in the region

St. Joseph's 1.114% effective rate is lower than Saginaw County (1.571%), Shiawassee County (1.345%), Tuscola County (1.280%), and St. Clair County (1.165%), and comparable to Schoolcraft County (1.091%) and Sanilac County (0.917%). Among the eight-county region, St. Joseph ranks in the bottom three for tax burden. Homebuyers here gain a tax advantage over most surrounding communities.

Median home taxes: $1,867 annually

A typical $167,600 home in St. Joseph County generates roughly $1,867 in annual property taxes at the current effective rate. With mortgage, taxes rise to $1,909; without mortgage, they fall to $1,806. This amounts to approximately $156 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. Joseph 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. Joseph County

via CostByCounty

St. Joseph delivers solid national affordability

St. Joseph County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.3% sits comfortably below the national average, and its median household income of $64,707 comes within $10,048 of the U.S. median. At $825 monthly rent, the county offers favorable housing access compared to national patterns.

Above Michigan's affordability baseline

St. Joseph County ranks better than Michigan's state average on housing affordability, with a 15.3% rent-to-income ratio well below the state's 16.3% and rents matching the state's $873 median closely. The county delivers stronger affordability than Saginaw and St. Clair without sacrificing community resources.

Competitive rents with strong income balance

St. Joseph's $825 rent ranks among the lowest in the region, beating Shiawassee ($876) and St. Clair ($999) while matching Sanilac closely ($814). Its 15.3% rent-to-income ratio beats all but Schoolcraft (13.6%), reflecting solid affordability for a more developed county.

Renters and owners share reasonable burdens

St. Joseph renters spend 15.3% of a $64,707 income on $825 monthly rent, while homeowners allocate 16.2% to $875 monthly mortgages on homes valued at $167,600. Both ratios suggest manageable housing costs with meaningful budget flexibility.

St. Joseph balances affordability and community

Relocating to St. Joseph County puts you in a sweet spot: a 15.3% rent ratio beats most peers, rents stay under $825, and median income of $64,707 provides stability. If you seek affordability without sacrificing developed infrastructure, St. Joseph delivers strong value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in St. Joseph County

via IncomeByCounty

St. Joseph trails but nears national average

St. Joseph County's median household income of $64,707 is 13% below the national median of $74,755, positioning it better than several peers nationally. The gap, while present, is narrower than most counties in this analysis.

St. Joseph slightly exceeds Michigan average

At $64,707, St. Joseph's median household income edges above Michigan's county average of $64,304, placing it in the state's middle tier. The county matches Shiawassee's position among Michigan's 83 counties.

St. Joseph holds competitive income position

St. Joseph ($64,707) trails Van Buren ($66,902) and St. Clair ($69,349), but surpasses Saginaw ($58,347), Sanilac ($59,074), and Schoolcraft ($57,708). It ranks at the middle of this regional income ladder.

Housing is very affordable in St. Joseph

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.3%, St. Joseph offers excellent housing affordability, well below the 30% threshold. The median home value of $167,600 is accessible on a $64,707 income, supporting stable homeownership.

St. Joseph households can build lasting wealth

At $64,707, St. Joseph families have breathing room to save 10–20% of income for long-term wealth building. Combining employer benefits with personal investing in target-date funds creates compounding growth that can reach $500,000+ by retirement.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in St. Joseph County

via CrimeByCounty

Safety Score and National Benchmarks

St. Joseph County reports a total crime rate of 1,916.6 per 100K, which is lower than the national average of 2,385.5. It currently holds a safety score of 97.0 out of 100. This indicates a generally safe environment compared to many other parts of the country.

How St. Joseph Fits Into Michigan

The county's crime rate is higher than the Michigan average of 1,371.8 per 100K. Consequently, its safety score is slightly below the state average of 97.8. Eight reporting agencies work together to provide this comprehensive crime data.

Comparing St. Joseph to Neighbors

St. Joseph has a higher crime rate than nearby Van Buren County (1,226.9) but remains safer than the national benchmark. These figures reflect the county's position as a more active hub in its immediate region. Law enforcement remains focused on addressing these local trends.

Understanding Local Crime Types

Property crime accounts for 1,532.3 incidents per 100K, while violent crime is 384.3. While violent crime is slightly above the national average of 369.8, property crime is much lower than the U.S. average of 2,015.7. This breakdown shows that property theft is less common here than nationally.

Improving Your Home Security

Since property crime is the most frequent issue, securing your home and garage is a top priority. Using motion-activated cameras can help deter potential intruders and provide peace of mind. Staying active in neighborhood watch groups further enhances community safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in St. Joseph County

via SchoolsByCounty

A 32-School System Serving Southwest Michigan

St. Joseph County operates 32 public schools across 10 districts, educating a total of 9,797 students. The landscape is built on a foundation of 16 elementary schools and 10 high schools, ensuring localized access to education.

Graduation Rates Surpass Michigan Averages

St. Joseph County's graduation rate of 83.8% beats the Michigan state average of 82.5%, though it trails the national 87% benchmark. The county invests $6,936 per pupil, which is below both the state and national expenditure levels.

Sturgis and Three Rivers Lead Enrollment

Sturgis Public Schools is the largest district with 2,952 students, followed closely by Three Rivers Community Schools. There are currently no charter schools in the county, keeping the focus on its 10 traditional public districts.

A Blend of Town and Country Learning

Schools are split between 17 town and 15 rural locales, giving families a choice between community-centered or countryside settings. Sturgis High School is the county's largest at 993 students, while the overall average school size is 316.

Relocate Near Respected Local Schools

Strong graduation rates make St. Joseph County a solid choice for families moving to the region. High-performing areas like Sturgis and Three Rivers are excellent places to start your home search for reliable long-term school quality.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in St. Joseph County

via RiskByCounty

St. Joseph sits near state-average risk

St. Joseph County scores 58.59 on the composite risk scale, placing it slightly above Michigan's state average of 49.56 and in the "Relatively Low" risk category. This moderate exposure reflects meaningful hazard presence without approaching the state's highest-risk areas. The county's risk profile is manageable through thoughtful preparedness without requiring extreme protective measures.

Below-average risk for Michigan overall

St. Joseph County ranks in the lower-to-middle tier of Michigan counties for disaster risk, with a composite score about 18% above the state average. This positioning reflects balanced rather than concentrated hazard exposure. Residents face somewhat above-average risk but avoid the serious exposure concentrated in a handful of higher-risk Michigan counties.

Safest county in its regional group

St. Joseph's score of 58.59 is the lowest in its region, falling below Van Buren County (60.46) and well below Shiawassee County (62.18). This makes St. Joseph one of the relatively safer areas in its part of Michigan, though not exceptionally low-risk compared to the state's safest counties. The three-county cluster shows modest but consistent variation in disaster exposure.

Moderate tornado and flood exposure

St. Joseph County faces tornado risk (63.52) and flood risk (68.07) as its primary hazards, both moderate and above state average but not extreme. Earthquake exposure is notable at 60.81—the county's third-highest risk—while wildfire (16.98) and hurricane (38.01) risks remain comparatively low. Residents should prioritize tornado preparedness and flood awareness without extraordinary measures for other hazards.

Flood insurance recommended for some areas

Residents in flood-prone areas of St. Joseph County should seriously consider separate flood insurance, given the 68.07 flood risk score, even if not in high-risk zones. Verify that homeowners insurance includes adequate wind and hail coverage for the county's moderate tornado exposure. A professional home assessment identifying waterproofing and roof vulnerabilities provides cost-effective protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in St. Joseph County

via WaterByCounty

Moderate Compliance Record for St. Joseph

St. Joseph County receives a C grade with three health violations over the past five years. Despite the grade, its violation rate of 9.3 per 100,000 is still better than the statewide Michigan rate of 35.7. Local systems are generally reliable but have faced occasional health-based compliance hurdles.

Watershed Impairments Not Yet Documented

Water bodies in St. Joseph County are not yet included in the federal §303(d) assessments for watershed health. There is currently no data on impaired percentages or primary contamination causes for this county in the ATTAINS portal. This lack of data prevents a full comparison of river health against national standards.

Tracking Microbiological and Physical Water Health

Forty monitoring sites across the county have collected 4,831 measurements in the last five years. These sites primarily track physical and microbiological characteristics to ensure safety. This footprint allows local officials to keep a close eye on the health of the county's aquatic environments.

St. Joseph River Flowing at 144%

The St. Joseph River at Mottville currently records a discharge of 2,460 cubic feet per second. This is 144% of the long-term mean, showing significantly higher water levels than typical for this season. High flows in this 1,866 square mile basin can increase the transport of sediments downstream.

Manage Water Quality During High Flows

The current streamflow is 144% of the mean, which may increase the presence of sediment and microbes in untreated water. Residents should remain aware of the county's C grade and check for specific violation details if they have concerns. Regular tap testing is a good practice for those on private wells during high-flow periods.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in St. Joseph County

via WeatherByCounty

Temperate but Cool by National Standards

With an annual average of 48.5°F, St. Joseph County remains cooler than the national median. Its precipitation level of 39.7 inches is higher than many inland U.S. counties, contributing to its lush landscape.

Above the Michigan Temperature Baseline

The county's 48.5°F average temperature comfortably exceeds the Michigan state average of 45.7°F. This makes it one of the more temperate regions in the state, particularly during the growing season.

Aligning With Southern Tier Neighbors

St. Joseph shares a similar climate with Washtenaw County, which averages 48.3°F. It is slightly cooler than Van Buren County to the west, which enjoys a warmer 49.7°F average.

Hot Summers and Snowy Winters

The county experiences 13 days of extreme heat above 90°F, peaking with a July average of 71.4°F. Winter brings 41.2 inches of snow and a chilly January average of 23.9°F.

Managing Humidity and Snowfall

High annual precipitation of 39.7 inches requires proper home drainage and moisture control. Residents should maintain efficient HVAC systems to handle both the summer heat spikes and the 26.5°F winter average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in St. Joseph County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Sands of Southern Michigan

St. Joseph County features an average pH of 5.28, mirroring the Michigan state average of 5.30 but sitting well below the national median of 6.5. While taxonomic data is not dominant, the soil is known for its higher acidity. This profile typically requires pH adjustments for traditional vegetable gardening.

Light and Sandy Soil Structure

The soil is comprised of 52.9% sand, 23.9% silt, and 8.1% clay. This high sand content and low clay percentage result in a light soil that is easy to dig and till. However, it also means the soil can struggle to hold onto nutrients and moisture during heatwaves.

Surprising Organic Reserves

Despite its sandiness, the county maintains 9.35% organic matter, significantly outperforming the national average of 2.0%. The available water capacity of 0.159 in/in is on the lower side for the state, reflecting the rapid drainage of sandy profiles. These soils are highly responsive to fertilization and consistent watering.

Rapid Water Movement

While specific drainage classes are not provided in the survey data, the high sand percentage suggests rapid infiltration. These soils are generally less prone to ponding but may require more frequent irrigation than heavier soils. It is a forgiving environment for building but demands attention to water management in the garden.

Acid-Loving Crops in Zone 6a

In Zone 6a, St. Joseph is prime country for blueberries and other acid-loving small fruits. Homeowners will find success with azaleas, rhododendrons, and potatoes, which thrive in lower pH environments. With a little extra water, this soil becomes a highly productive canvas for any gardener.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in St. Joseph County

via LawnByCounty

Southern Border Success for St. Joseph

St. Joseph County maintains a lawn difficulty score of 65.5, which is notably easier than the state average of 60.1. Its position in Zone 6a benefits from warmer temperatures and a longer growing window than northern counties.

Abundant Rain and Significant Summer Heat

The county receives 39.7 inches of rain annually, well above the state average of 34.4. This moisture is necessary, as homeowners must navigate 13 extreme heat days per year that can stress cool-season grasses.

Addressing Soil Acidity in Sandy Grounds

The soil pH of 5.28 is quite acidic and falls outside the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for healthy turf. With sand making up 52.9% of the composition, you will likely need to add lime and organic matter to improve nutrient retention and balance pH.

Consistent Moisture with Low Drought Risk

Only 14.3% of the county is abnormally dry right now, and the area only saw 16 weeks of drought last year. Even with 13 high-heat days, the high annual rainfall helps keep lawns green with minimal intervention.

Optimizing Your Southern Michigan Lawn

The April 30 last-frost date is one of the earliest in the state, allowing for an early spring start. Tall fescue is a great choice here due to its heat tolerance, and the October 17 first-frost date provides a long window for establishment.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is St. Joseph County's county score?
St. Joseph County, Michigan has a composite county score of 38.4 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 St. Joseph County rank among counties in Michigan?
St. Joseph County ranks #65 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 St. Joseph County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in St. Joseph County is $1,867, with an effective tax rate of 1.11%. This earns St. Joseph County a tax score of 30.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in St. Joseph County?
The median household income in St. Joseph County, Michigan is $64,707 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. St. Joseph County earns an income score of 53.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is St. Joseph County, Michigan a good place to live?
St. Joseph County scores 38.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #65 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.