CountyScore

Wexford County

Michigan · MI

#41 in Michigan
69.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Wexford County, Michigan

Wexford Matches Michigan's Strength

Wexford County's composite score of 68.7 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0—a 37% advantage that places it among the nation's more livable counties. This strong performance reflects a county delivering real value across multiple dimensions of community life.

Right at Michigan's Peak

Wexford's score of 68.7 matches Michigan's state average exactly, positioning it as a model Michigan county in terms of overall livability. This parity with the state benchmark shows Wexford competes well with the state's best performers.

Taxes and Housing Excellence

Wexford excels on both tax burden (69.5 score, 1.165% effective rate) and housing affordability (79.1 score), with median rent at just $877 monthly and median home values around $160,300. These combine to deliver some of Michigan's lowest costs of living while maintaining reasonable tax levels.

Income and Unknown Factors

Wexford's income score of 24.6 reflects a median household income of $63,123, which lags state norms and suggests limited high-wage employment opportunities. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable, leaving gaps in understanding the full livability picture.

Retirees and Cost-Conscious Families

Wexford County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing affordability and low tax burden over maximum earning potential. Its combination of low housing costs and reasonable taxes makes it perfect for those seeking a slower-paced Michigan lifestyle without financial strain.

Score breakdown

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

Tax69.5Cost79.1SafetyComing SoonHealth71.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.6Risk66.1WaterComing Soon
🏛69.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡66.1
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 Wexford County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sierra County
California
69.2
Median income: $60,000
Teller County
Colorado
69.2
Median income: $80,666
Haralson County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $65,016
White County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $69,747
Stark County
Illinois
69.2
Median income: $62,284

Deep Dives

Wexford County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wexford County

via TaxByCounty

Wexford's taxes align with national norm

Wexford County's effective tax rate of 1.165% sits just below the national median of 1.03%, placing it near the 50th percentile nationally—right at America's average property tax burden. The median property tax of $1,868 is significantly below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Wexford's lower median home values of $160,300.

Wexford matches Michigan's statewide average

At 1.165%, Wexford's effective tax rate is virtually identical to Michigan's state average of 1.166%, making it a perfectly typical Michigan county for property taxation. The median property tax of $1,868 is 11% below the state median of $2,102, reflecting Wexford's more modest home values.

Wexford offers the lowest tax burden locally

Wexford County homeowners pay just $1,868 in median property taxes—33% less than Wayne County ($2,794) and 66% less than Washtenaw County ($5,505). At 1.165%, Wexford's effective rate is nearly identical to the state average and substantially lower than Wayne's 1.642%.

What a Wexford County homeowner actually pays

The median Wexford home valued at $160,300 generates an estimated $1,868 in annual property taxes at the current 1.165% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly more ($1,917) through escrow, while those without mortgages pay approximately $1,797.

Check if you're overassessed and appeal

Even in a relatively low-tax county like Wexford, many homeowners are still overassessed—studies show 20-30% of properties statewide have inflated valuations. If your assessed value looks high compared to recent sales of similar homes nearby, you have the right to appeal and potentially recover hundreds or thousands in overpaid taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wexford County

via CostByCounty

Wexford offers affordable housing options

Wexford County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.7% aligns closely with national affordability standards and sits just above the national benchmark. With a median household income of $63,123 and median rent of $877, Wexford residents maintain more balanced housing-to-income ratios than many U.S. peers.

Wexford hits Michigan's affordability sweet spot

Wexford's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio nearly matches Michigan's 16.3% state average, making it one of the state's more affordable counties. The median rent of $877 aligns almost perfectly with the state median of $873, suggesting Wexford represents typical Michigan housing cost dynamics.

Wexford is Michigan's affordability leader

At $877 monthly rent and $885 in homeowner costs, Wexford is significantly cheaper than Washtenaw ($1,400 rent, 60% higher) and Wayne ($1,087 rent, 24% higher). This affordability advantage stems partly from lower median incomes, but housing remains more accessible relative to what residents earn.

How Wexford residents allocate housing costs

Renters spend $877 monthly and homeowners pay $885 on a median home value of $160,300, with both figures consuming approximately 16.7% of the $63,123 median household income. This allocation leaves Wexford households with more discretionary income than counterparts in Wayne or Washtenaw.

Wexford: Michigan's most accessible option

If affordability is your priority, Wexford County offers $877 rent and $160,300 median home values on a $63,123 median income—Michigan's tightest alignment of housing costs to earnings. Relocators trading big-city wages for small-town living will find Wexford substantially more accessible than Washtenaw or Wayne.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wexford County

via IncomeByCounty

Wexford's income barely meets national baseline

Wexford County's median household income of $63,123 runs about 15% below the national median of $74,755. Like much of rural Michigan, the county's economy relies on smaller employers and service sectors that typically offer lower wages than national averages.

Slightly above Michigan's struggling average

Wexford County's $63,123 median household income sits just barely below Michigan's state average of $64,304, placing it near the middle of the state's county rankings. The county's economic profile mirrors many of Michigan's rural regions, blending agriculture, small manufacturing, and tourism.

Better than Detroit, far behind university hub

Wexford County earns $3,602 more than Wayne County ($59,521) but $24,033 less than Washtenaw County ($87,156). While Wexford outpaces post-industrial Wayne, it remains substantially behind Washtenaw's knowledge-economy premium.

Housing costs sit at healthy levels

Wexford County's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among the three counties, giving renters genuine breathing room in their budgets. The median home value of $160,300 is also the most affordable, making both renting and homeownership relatively accessible for median-earning households.

Leverage affordability for financial security

Wexford's low cost of living—especially housing—gives households earning near the median a genuine advantage in building savings. With housing consuming just 17% of income, households have room to direct funds toward retirement accounts, education savings, or investment vehicles that compound wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wexford County

via HealthByCounty

Wexford trails national health averages

Wexford County's 74.9-year life expectancy falls 0.2 years behind the U.S. average and reflects mid-tier health outcomes for Michigan. One in six residents (17.7%) report being in poor or fair health, slightly below the national average of 18%.

Below Michigan's average life expectancy

At 74.9 years, Wexford's life expectancy trails Michigan's state average of 76.3 years by 1.4 years, placing it in the lower-middle tier of county rankings. This gap suggests healthcare access or lifestyle factors that merit attention from local health leaders.

Healthier than Wayne, below Washtenaw

Wexford residents live 2 years longer than Wayne County residents (72.9 years) but 5.6 years fewer than Washtenaw County (80.5 years). The county's 86 primary care providers per 100,000 exceed Wayne's sparse network but fall short of Washtenaw's robust infrastructure.

Uninsured rate edges above state average

Wexford's 6.9% uninsured rate exceeds Michigan's 6.4% average, meaning more than 1 in 14 residents lack coverage for routine healthcare. With 317 mental health providers per 100,000, mental health access lags behind both comparison counties, creating potential care delays.

Secure affordable coverage now

Wexford residents without insurance should check eligibility for Medicaid or marketplace plans—costs may be lower than expected. Visit healthcare.gov or michigan.gov/mdhhs to compare plans and enroll; open enrollment deadlines ensure you don't miss coverage windows.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wexford County

via RiskByCounty

Wexford enjoys very low disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 33.91, Wexford County sits well below Michigan's state average of 49.56 and earns a very low risk classification. This favorable position means residents face substantially less natural disaster exposure than most Michigan communities.

Among Michigan's safest counties

Wexford County's 33.91 composite score places it comfortably in Michigan's lower-risk tier, roughly two-thirds below the state average. The county's geographic and climatic characteristics create a naturally protective environment compared to most other Michigan jurisdictions.

Wexford clearly outperforms regional peers

Wexford's 33.91 risk score is dramatically lower than Washtenaw County's 89.28 and Wayne County's 98.95, making it substantially safer than both neighbors. This significant gap reflects Wexford's relative geographic and climatic advantage in the Michigan natural hazard landscape.

Modest tornado exposure leads locally

Tornado risk of 32.06 represents Wexford's highest hazard score, though it remains below state norms, while flood risk at 45.01 poses secondary concern. Earthquake and hurricane risks score even lower at 16.92 and 13.81 respectively, indicating genuinely limited natural disaster exposure countywide.

Standard coverage meets Wexford needs

Standard homeowners insurance typically covers Wexford's primary risks, though tornado awareness remains prudent given the 32.06 tornado score. A basic emergency kit and community alert subscription provide cost-effective protection for this low-risk county.

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.