Saginaw
Michigan

What stands out

Three things set Saginaw County apart from the other 3,142 counties: unemployment is in the top 6% of American counties (5.6%), 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 13% of American counties (1.54%). Within Michigan it ranks 29th of 83 counties for unemployment.

Where you are

You live in Saginaw County, Michigan. 189,821 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -332).

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 $56,579 a year, lower than 62% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $58,049. Unemployment runs 5.6%, higher than 94% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home.

Michigan takes 4.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,405 a year.

Home

The median home costs $173K, cheaper than 74% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $879 a month. Property tax is 1.54% of home value, roughly $2,021 a year on that median home, higher than 87% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 54% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 29 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 75.3 years, shorter than 56% of American counties. There are 717 active physicians in the county, about 37.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.5 of 5 stars. 6.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.80 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 79% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted almost evenly. 70% 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 58 and lows near 38, colder than 80% of American counties. About 30 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 79 out of 100, riskier than 79% of American counties; the county has had 18 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 224 Mbps down, faster than 61% of American counties. There are 8 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 9 museums.