1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Antrim County is $902 a month against a median household income of $72,054, about 15% of income (ACS 2020-24). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Population and place: Antrim County
- Where Antrim County differs from the rest of Michigan
- How much Antrim County households make
- Antrim County housing compared with Michigan
- How Antrim County residents earn a living
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Census places in Antrim County
- Reading the Antrim County data as a borrower
- Debt-to-income at Antrim County's medians
- People and households in Antrim County
- Before you sign
- Who licenses lenders for Antrim County residents
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Population and place: Antrim County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Antrim County's population at 24,127; only 58 of Michigan's 83 county-level areas are larger. Density: about 50.7 residents per square mile across 476 square miles of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Antrim County is not part of any metropolitan area. Elk Rapids (1,624 people) heads the county's list of 9 Census places, 5 incorporated and 4 census-designated.
Where Antrim County differs from the rest of Michigan
Ranked against the other 82 county-level areas in Michigan, these are the Antrim County figures furthest from the middle.
- Few Michigan counties match Antrim County on the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 32% here, 50% for the state, ranking 2nd lowest of 83. Lower rent burdens mean more renters have slack, but test your own numbers.
- Households without a vehicle: 3.5% in Antrim County. Only 7 of 83 Michigan counties are lower. Nearly every household has a vehicle, so repair costs are a common reason to borrow.
- Median age: 51.8 in Antrim County. Only 13 of 83 Michigan counties are higher. Older borrowers often rely on fixed incomes, so a fixed payment helps.
How much Antrim County households make
$72,054 is the median household income for Antrim County, set against $72,875 for Michigan.
| Households earning | Antrim County | +/- vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.4% | -2.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.6% | +6.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.0% | -1.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.1% | -2.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 32% of Antrim County households make $100,000 or more, and 20% make less than $35,000. Antrim County counts about 2,382 residents below the poverty line, 9.9% of the population. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Antrim County median.
Antrim County housing compared with Michigan
$902 a month is the median gross rent in Antrim County, 20% below the state. 32% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 10% spend half or more. Home values center on $255,500, or 3.5 years of median income. 86% of Antrim County households own their home and 14% rent. Against the median U.S. county, Antrim County rent is 3% above.
| Cost | Antrim County | Michigan figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacant units | 37% | 12% | +25.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 32% | 50% | -18.3 pts |
| Owners | 86% | 73% | +13.2 pts |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 23% | +5.2 pts |
| Median gross rent | $902/mo | $1,129/mo | 20% lower |
| Median home value | $255,500 | $231,600 | 10% higher |
In an owner-heavy county like Antrim County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
How Antrim County residents earn a living
Top Antrim County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 19%; second, manufacturing, 16%. Compared with Michigan, the county leans toward construction (11% against 6%). 3.9% of Antrim County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Long commutes are common here: 17% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 3.5% of the total (7.0% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Antrim County | Gap to Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.1% | -4.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.9% | -2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.7% | +1.9 pts |
| Construction | 11.5% | +5.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.4% | +0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.6% | -2.7 pts |
Self-employed in Antrim County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (23 to 44 miles). Antrim County's $72,054 median trails 3 of the six and beats 3; the range runs $60,392 (Crawford County) to $99,422 (Leelanau County).
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antrim County | - | $72,054 | $902/mo | 86% |
| Kalkaska County, MI | 23 mi | $68,578 | $853/mo | 88% |
| Grand Traverse County, MI | 27 mi | $81,647 | $1,288/mo | 77% |
| Otsego County, MI | 29 mi | $68,183 | $1,008/mo | 77% |
| Crawford County, MI | 36 mi | $60,392 | $862/mo | 80% |
| Emmet County, MI | 41 mi | $78,112 | $1,112/mo | 77% |
| Leelanau County, MI | 44 mi | $99,422 | $1,228/mo | 92% |
Census places in Antrim County
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 32% of Antrim County residents live in one of the 9. Incomes vary by place: $82,188 at the median in Lakes of the North, $51,691 in Mancelona. Median rent ranges from $791 in Mancelona to $1,056 in Elk Rapids. No Antrim County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 9.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Rapids | village | 1,624 | $70,938 | $1,056 | 13 mi |
| Lakes of the North | CDP | 1,524 | $82,188 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Mancelona | village | 1,476 | $51,691 | $791 | 9 mi |
| Central Lake | village | 1,051 | $63,269 | $1,008 | 6 mi |
| Bellaire | village | 1,008 | $55,789 | $799 | 3 mi |
| Eastport | CDP | 311 | $55,761 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Alba | CDP | 282 | $100,870 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Ellsworth | village | 265 | $61,000 | $607 | 12 mi |
| Alden | CDP | 133 | $56,250 | n/a | 10 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Reading the Antrim County data as a borrower
What the Antrim County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Older households. A 51.8 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Antrim County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Debt-to-income at Antrim County's medians
Here is the Antrim County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $6,004 a month: gross income for a household at the Antrim County median
- Rent at the median, $902, takes 15% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,260 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,680 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Antrim County's.
People and households in Antrim County
In Antrim County, 34% of adults have at least a four-year degree (32% in Michigan). 5.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Antrim County | vs Michigan | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 51.8 | +11.6 yrs | +10.3 yrs |
| No vehicle | 3.5% | -3.5 pts | -1.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 9.9% | -3.3 pts | -3.3 pts |
| No high school diploma | 5.3% | -2.6 pts | n/a |
| Bachelor's or higher | 34.3% | +1.9 pts | +12.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.9% | -1.8 pts | -0.5 pts |
| Work from home | 12.5% | -1.0 pts | +3.8 pts |
| No health insurance | 5.8% | +0.8 pts | -2.1 pts |
| Minutes to work | Antrim County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.7% |
| 60+ min | 7.9% |
Before you sign
Quick steps for Antrim County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Antrim County-area credit union.
- Verify the Michigan license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Who licenses lenders for Antrim County residents
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Antrim County, check the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. If a Antrim County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. The Michigan guide covers state rules in more detail.
Keep exploring
For statewide rules and data, see the Michigan guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Antrim County rank on income in Michigan?
21st of 83, with a median of $72,054. The state median is $72,875.
How much is rent in Antrim County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $902 a month; 32% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Antrim County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 86% of Antrim County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Elk Rapids?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in Antrim County, such as Lakes of the North, Mancelona, Central Lake.
Can Antrim County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Michigan county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.