1st Advantage Mortgage35% of Benzie County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $74,834 (ACS 2020-24). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Benzie County, and confirm each one's Michigan license.
On this page
- Benzie County by the numbers
- Benzie County income bands
- How Benzie County residents earn a living
- Benzie County's most unusual numbers
- Homes and rents, Benzie County
- Towns and communities in Benzie County
- Benzie County and the counties next door
- Before borrowing in Benzie County
- $6,236 a month: the Benzie County median budget
- Benzie County demographics against Michigan
- Steps before you apply in Benzie County
- Michigan lender licensing
- Other Michigan guides
- Frequently asked questions
Benzie County by the numbers
With an estimated 18,310 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Benzie County ranks 65th of 83 in Michigan for population. It covers 320 square miles of land, or about 57 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Traverse City, MI metropolitan area. Largest place: Frankfort, about 1,225 residents (7% of Benzie County); 14 Census places in all.
Benzie County income bands
The median household income in Benzie County is $74,834; statewide it is $72,875, so Benzie County runs 3% above Michigan as a whole. Only 18 Michigan counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Benzie County | Difference from Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.0% | -2.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.4% | +3.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.2% | +1.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.3% | -2.2 pts |
About 21% of households earn under $35,000, while 35% clear $100,000. Poverty rate, Benzie County: 9.7%; Michigan: 13.2%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
How Benzie County residents earn a living
Education and health care (23%), retail trade (13%) and arts, lodging and food service (12%) lead Benzie County's job mix. Relative to Michigan (8%), arts, lodging and food service is 3 points bigger in Benzie County (12%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 12% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Benzie County | Gap to Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.3% | 0.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.7% | +1.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.8% | +3.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.9% | -0.4 pts |
| Construction | 8.8% | +2.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.7% | -9.5 pts |
Self-employed in Benzie County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Benzie County's most unusual numbers
- Benzie County ranks 3rd lowest of 83 Michigan counties for households without a vehicle: 2.5%, against 7.0% statewide. Car ownership is close to universal, and so are repair bills.
- Benzie County ranks 3rd lowest of 83 Michigan counties for the ACS unemployment rate: 3.1%, against 5.7% statewide. A tight job market helps steady income, but lenders still verify it.
- Few Michigan counties match Benzie County on homeownership: 88% here, 73% for the state, ranking 7th highest of 83. Most households here own, so home equity is often an alternative to weigh.
- Benzie County ranks 9th highest of 83 Michigan counties for median home value: $285,700, against $231,600 statewide. Owners with equity have more options, including secured credit, but that puts the house at risk.
Homes and rents, Benzie County
Half of Benzie County renters pay more than $1,026 a month and half pay less; the Michigan midpoint is $1,129. By the Census definition, 51% of Benzie County renters are cost-burdened. Median value $285,700; median income $74,834; ratio 3.8. Owners occupy 88% of homes. Median construction year: 1985.
| Cost | Benzie County | Michigan figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacant units | 37% | 12% | +25.7 pts |
| Owners | 88% | 73% | +14.5 pts |
| Median home value | $285,700 | $231,600 | 23% higher |
| Median gross rent | $1,026/mo | $1,129/mo | 9% lower |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 23% | +0.9 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 50% | +0.7 pts |
With 88% of Benzie County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Towns and communities in Benzie County
4,681 of Benzie County's 18,310 residents live in its 14 Census places (26%); the 14 largest are listed. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $54,869, Hardwood Acres over Frankfort. This guide covers each of the 14 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frankfort | city | 1,225 | $54,327 | $876 | 0 mi |
| Benzonia | village | 718 | $61,875 | $1,125 | 7 mi |
| Hardwood Acres | CDP | 611 | $109,196 | n/a | 21 mi |
| Thompsonville | village | 490 | $66,250 | $734 | 17 mi |
| Bendon | CDP | 315 | $69,750 | n/a | 19 mi |
| Lake Ann | village | 273 | $70,625 | $1,200 | 20 mi |
| Beulah | village | 218 | $71,000 | $607 | 7 mi |
| Elberta | village | 174 | $114,375 | n/a | 1 mi |
| Honor | village | 172 | $45,341 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Crystal Mountain | CDP | 166 | $120,938 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Nessen City | CDP | 149 | $62,222 | n/a | 20 mi |
| Maple Grove | CDP | 82 | n/a | n/a | 19 mi |
| Crystal Downs Country Club | CDP | 64 | $243,333 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Pilgrim | CDP | 24 | $161,563 | n/a | 2 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Benzie County and the counties next door
Six nearby counties, 27 to 49 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Benzie County's $74,834 median trails 2 of the six and beats 4; the range runs $50,805 (Lake County) to $99,422 (Leelanau County).
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benzie County | - | $74,834 | $1,026/mo | 88% |
| Manistee County, MI | 27 mi | $63,516 | $842/mo | 86% |
| Grand Traverse County, MI | 34 mi | $81,647 | $1,288/mo | 77% |
| Leelanau County, MI | 36 mi | $99,422 | $1,228/mo | 92% |
| Wexford County, MI | 39 mi | $61,085 | $897/mo | 81% |
| Mason County, MI | 48 mi | $64,748 | $896/mo | 78% |
| Lake County, MI | 49 mi | $50,805 | $875/mo | 82% |
Before borrowing in Benzie County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Benzie County borrowers.
- Retirees. At a median age of 50.8, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Benzie County rent burden. 51% of renters are cost-burdened; ask your landlord about a payment plan before borrowing for rent.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
$6,236 a month: the Benzie County median budget
Here is the Benzie County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $74,834 a year is $6,236 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $1,026, which is 16% of it
- Under a 35% cap, $2,183 total minus rent leaves $1,157
- Under a 45% cap, $2,806 total minus rent leaves $1,780
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Benzie County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
Benzie County demographics against Michigan
Bachelor's degree or higher: 37% of Benzie County adults. About 6% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Benzie County | Gap to Michigan | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.8 | +10.6 yrs | +9.3 yrs |
| No vehicle | 2.5% | -4.5 pts | -2.9 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 36.9% | +4.4 pts | +14.7 pts |
| Poverty rate | 9.7% | -3.6 pts | -3.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | -2.6 pts | -1.3 pts |
| Work from home | 11.1% | -2.4 pts | +2.4 pts |
| No high school diploma | 5.9% | -2.1 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.6% | +0.6 pts | -2.3 pts |
| Minutes to work | Benzie County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.9% |
| 60+ min | 3.5% |
Steps before you apply in Benzie County
Quick steps for Benzie County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Michigan.
- Ask a Benzie County credit union about member loans.
Michigan lender licensing
Consumer lenders serving Benzie County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Michigan that is the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender.
Other Michigan guides
Next step up from Benzie County:
Frequently asked questions
Is Benzie County a high-income county?
Its $74,834 median ranks 19th of 83 Michigan counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Benzie County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,026 against $1,129 statewide, and 51% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Can Benzie County owners borrow against a $285,700 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
Does this page cover Frankfort?
Yes, along with the other 13 Census places in Benzie County, such as Benzonia, Hardwood Acres, Thompsonville.
Is the fit check different in Benzie County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.