A life in Oscoda County, Michigan

Where you are

You live in Oscoda County, Michigan. 8,264 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 1.8% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +240).

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 $48,692 a year, lower than 81% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $40,287. Unemployment runs 7.9%, higher than almost every county in America. 12% of workers work from home.

Michigan takes 4.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,069 a year.

Home

The median home costs $149K, cheaper than 84% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $785 a month. Property tax is 0.96% of home value, roughly $1,178 a year on that median home, higher than 57% of American counties. 87% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 69% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 73.8 years, shorter than 72% of American counties. There is 1 active physician in the county, about 1.2 per 10,000 people. 10.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.62 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 83% of American counties. 85% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 42 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 73% 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 44°F, highs near 55 and lows near 34, colder than 92% of American counties. About 29 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 9 out of 100, safer than 91% of American counties; the county has had 8 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 208 Mbps down, faster than 54% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 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.