1st Advantage MortgageThe median Baraga County household earns $55,327, and 15% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Baraga County
- Paychecks and income spread in Baraga County
- How Baraga County residents earn a living
- Renting and owning in Baraga County
- Places inside Baraga County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Budget math at the Baraga County median
- Baraga County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Baraga County
- Checklist for Baraga County applicants
- Lender oversight for Baraga County
- More guides for Baraga County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Baraga County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Baraga County's population at 8,191; only 78 of Michigan's 83 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 898 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 9 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Baraga County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 7 Census places inside Baraga County, Baraga leads by population with about 1,939; 2 of the 7 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Baraga County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Paychecks and income spread in Baraga County
At $55,327, the typical Baraga County household income is 16% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 69th of 83.
| Band | Baraga County | Compared with Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.4% | +7.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.7% | +5.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.6% | -5.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.4% | -7.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 23% of Baraga County households make $100,000 or more, and 30% make less than $35,000. 15.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.2%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Baraga County median.
How Baraga County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Baraga County residents work in education and health care and 12% in arts, lodging and food service. Compared with Michigan, the county leans toward public administration (10% against 4%). The survey's unemployment rate for Baraga County averages 5.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.7%). Long commutes are the exception here: 11% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 6.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Baraga County | Gap to Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.8% | -2.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 12.0% | +3.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.0% | -7.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.0% | +0.2 pts |
| Public administration | 10.4% | +6.8 pts |
| Construction | 9.3% | +3.4 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Renting and owning in Baraga County
Renters in Baraga County pay a median of $616 a month, 45% below the Michigan figure of $1,129. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 32% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $138,100, about 2.5 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 79%.
| Home costs | Baraga County | Michigan | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $616/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $138,100 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 32% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 9.2% | 5.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 32% | 12% | n/a |
Because most Baraga County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Places inside Baraga County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Baraga County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 4,484 residents, leaving about 45% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 7 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baraga | village | 1,939 | $43,558 | $495 | 8 mi |
| L'Anse | village | 1,790 | $52,317 | $646 | 6 mi |
| Zeba | CDP | 342 | $55,000 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Three Lakes | CDP | 172 | $103,542 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Skanee | CDP | 116 | $62,031 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Covington | CDP | 112 | $55,625 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Pelkie | CDP | 13 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 25 to 53 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Marquette County leads the group on income ($65,429), Keweenaw County trails ($52,583), and Baraga County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baraga County | - | $55,327 | $616/mo | 79% |
| Houghton County, MI | 25 mi | $58,899 | $840/mo | 72% |
| Marquette County, MI | 37 mi | $65,429 | $949/mo | 70% |
| Iron County, MI | 37 mi | $55,940 | $716/mo | 84% |
| Ontonagon County, MI | 44 mi | $54,398 | $540/mo | 87% |
| Keweenaw County, MI | 46 mi | $52,583 | $688/mo | 91% |
| Dickinson County, MI | 53 mi | $65,156 | $797/mo | 82% |
Budget math at the Baraga County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Baraga County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,611 before taxes
- Less median rent of $616, which is 13% of it
- Under a 36% cap, $1,660 total minus rent leaves $1,044
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,367 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Baraga County residents: age, schooling, coverage
15% of Baraga County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 3.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Baraga County | Michigan | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.0 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.8% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.2% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.8% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.8% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.8% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.2% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.1% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 59.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 6.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.8% |
| 60+ min | 6.0% |
Before borrowing in Baraga County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Baraga County borrowers.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 46, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Checklist for Baraga County applicants
Steps that save money for Baraga County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Michigan borrowers.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Lender oversight for Baraga County
Consumer lenders serving Baraga County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Michigan that is the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Michigan guide.
More guides for Baraga County
For statewide rules and data, see the Michigan guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Baraga County household make?
About $55,327 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 24% below the Michigan median.
How much is rent in Baraga County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $616 a month; 32% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Baraga County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 79% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Baraga County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Baraga, L'Anse, Zeba, Three Lakes, Skanee and 2 more.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Baraga County or elsewhere in Michigan, the same rules apply.