A life in Arenac County, Michigan

Where you are

You live in Arenac County, Michigan. 15,031 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +137).

Michigan has a flat income tax just over 4% and has never taxed Social Security. It restored a broad exemption for pension and retirement income in 2023, phasing in over four years. Home prices are below the national average nearly everywhere except the lakeshore counties and the Ann Arbor area. Detroit's population is growing again for the first time since the 1950s.

Money

The typical household here brings in $53,487 a year, lower than 71% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,876. Unemployment runs 7.4%, higher than almost every county in America. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 27 minutes each way.

Michigan takes 4.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,273 a year.

Home

The median home costs $162K, cheaper than 79% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $735 a month. Property tax is 1.31% of home value, roughly $1,553 a year on that median home, higher than 78% of American counties. 85% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 58% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 75.2 years, shorter than 58% of American counties. There are 9 active physicians in the county, about 6.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 7.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.92 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 82% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 35 points. 72% of eligible voters turned out. Under Michigan law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 47°F, highs near 56 and lows near 37, colder than 85% of American counties. About 27 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 7 out of 100, safer than 93% of American counties; the county has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 154 Mbps down, slower than 69% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.

Sources for this story

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• DataSpine derived — ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• Michigan tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.