Isabella
Michigan

What stands out

If you had to describe Isabella County in numbers, start here: winter sunshine is in the bottom 7% of American counties (-1.4 on the USDA scale), homeownership is in the bottom 9% of American counties (62%), and unemployment is in the top 13% of American counties (4.9%). Within Michigan it ranks 52nd of 83 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Isabella County, Michigan. 64,938 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -247).

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 $52,638 a year, lower than 73% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,992. Unemployment runs 4.9%, higher than 87% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 18 minutes each way.

Michigan takes 4.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,237 a year.

Home

The median home costs $231K, cheaper than 51% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $841 a month. Property tax is 1.31% of home value, roughly $2,098 a year on that median home, higher than 78% of American counties. 62% 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. Drug overdoses killed 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.2 years, longer than 54% of American counties. There are 131 active physicians in the county, about 20.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 7.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.00 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 66% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 6 points. 52% 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 57 and lows near 36, colder than 86% of American counties. About 25 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 58 out of 100, riskier than 58% of American counties; the county has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 210 Mbps down, faster than 55% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 breweries.