Bay
Michigan

What stands out

What stands out about Bay County: home internet speed is among the fastest in America (355 Mbps), winter sunshine is in the bottom 7% of American counties (-1.4 on the USDA scale), and the property tax rate is in the top 9% of American counties (1.67%). Within Michigan it ranks 2nd of 83 counties for home internet speed.

Where you are

You live in Bay County, Michigan. 103,752 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +396).

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 $57,887 a year, lower than 58% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,617. Unemployment runs 5.2%, higher than 91% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 22 minutes each way.

Michigan takes 4.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,460 a year.

Home

The median home costs $187K, cheaper than 69% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $823 a month. Property tax is 1.67% of home value, roughly $2,091 a year on that median home, higher than 91% of American counties. 76% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 54% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 19 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 75.3 years, shorter than 57% of American counties. There are 174 active physicians in the county, about 16.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 1.0 of 5 stars. 5.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.87 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 75% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 10 points. 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 48°F, highs near 57 and lows near 39, colder than 81% of American counties. About 27 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 71 out of 100, riskier than 71% of American counties; the county has had 14 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 355 Mbps down, faster than almost every county in America. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.