1st Advantage MortgageThe median Charlevoix County household earns $76,531, and 9% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Getting oriented in Charlevoix County
- Jobs and commutes in Charlevoix County
- Household income in Charlevoix County
- Renting and owning in Charlevoix County
- Charlevoix County next to its neighbors
- Towns and communities in Charlevoix County
- Charlevoix County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Charlevoix County data as a borrower
- Debt-to-income at Charlevoix County's medians
- Licensing and complaints for Charlevoix County
- A Charlevoix County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Charlevoix County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Charlevoix County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Charlevoix County's population at 26,108; only 51 of Michigan's 83 county-level areas are larger. It covers 416 square miles of land, or about 63 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Charlevoix County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 10 Census places inside Charlevoix County, Boyne City leads by population with about 3,825; 4 of the 10 are incorporated.
Jobs and commutes in Charlevoix County
The biggest employer of Charlevoix County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 21% of workers, followed by manufacturing (17%). Compared with Michigan, the county leans toward construction (9% against 6%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 8% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 12% work from home. Only 5.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Charlevoix County workers | vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.2% | -2.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.1% | -1.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.6% | +3.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | -0.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.0% | -0.3 pts |
| Construction | 9.5% | +3.6 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Household income in Charlevoix County
At $76,531, the typical Charlevoix County household income is 17% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Household income | Charlevoix County | vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.2% | -3.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.9% | +3.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.9% | 0.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.0% | +0.5 pts |
About 19% of households earn under $35,000, while 36% clear $100,000. Census counts 8.7% of Charlevoix County residents in poverty, against 13.2% across Michigan. A household earning below the $76,531 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Renting and owning in Charlevoix County
A typical Charlevoix County rental runs $949 a month including utilities, which is 16% below Michigan. 49% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $276,800, about 3.6 times the median household income. Owners occupy 83% of homes. The median year built is 1982.
| Home costs | Charlevoix County | Michigan | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $949/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $276,800 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 83% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 23% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Charlevoix 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.
Charlevoix County next to its neighbors
Six nearby counties, 27 to 52 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Charlevoix County; Leelanau County is highest at $99,422 and Schoolcraft County lowest at $56,782.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlevoix County | - | $76,531 | $949/mo | 83% |
| Emmet County, MI | 27 mi | $78,112 | $1,112/mo | 77% |
| Mackinac County, MI | 40 mi | $63,909 | $760/mo | 78% |
| Leelanau County, MI | 41 mi | $99,422 | $1,228/mo | 92% |
| Schoolcraft County, MI | 42 mi | $56,782 | $705/mo | 87% |
| Antrim County, MI | 46 mi | $72,054 | $902/mo | 86% |
| Cheboygan County, MI | 52 mi | $62,875 | $773/mo | 86% |
Towns and communities in Charlevoix County
The table lists the 10 largest of 10 Census places in Charlevoix County, by population. Together all 10 hold about 10,214 people, so roughly 61% of residents live outside any named place. Boyne City has the highest median household income on the list ($64,855) and Charlevoix the lowest ($47,917), counting places with at least 500 residents. Live in one of these Charlevoix County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boyne City | city | 3,825 | $64,855 | $906 | 38 mi |
| Charlevoix | city | 2,392 | $47,917 | $816 | 25 mi |
| East Jordan | city | 2,023 | $60,104 | $812 | 38 mi |
| Advance | CDP | 377 | $110,417 | $1,375 | 36 mi |
| Horton Bay | CDP | 374 | $69,926 | n/a | 33 mi |
| Boyne Falls | village | 361 | $62,159 | $949 | 44 mi |
| Walloon Lake | CDP | 294 | $87,303 | n/a | 38 mi |
| St. James | CDP | 269 | $62,917 | $925 | 9 mi |
| Ironton | CDP | 173 | $93,750 | n/a | 30 mi |
| Norwood | CDP | 126 | $68,125 | n/a | 28 mi |
Charlevoix County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 35% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 6.2%, against 4.9% for Michigan.
| Charlevoix County | Michigan | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.4 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 35.2% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.9% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.2% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.4% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.4% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.7% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Charlevoix County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.4% |
| 60+ min | 3.3% |
Reading the Charlevoix County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Charlevoix County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Older households. A 50.4 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- 49% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Debt-to-income at Charlevoix County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Charlevoix County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,378 before taxes
- Median rent: $949, or 15 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,347 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Charlevoix County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Licensing and complaints for Charlevoix County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Charlevoix County borrowers answers to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Michigan guide.
A Charlevoix County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Charlevoix County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Charlevoix County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Charlevoix County-area credit union.
- Verify the Michigan license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Charlevoix County
For statewide rules and data, see the Michigan guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Charlevoix County a high-income county?
Its $76,531 median ranks 17th of 83 Michigan counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Charlevoix County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $949 against $1,129 statewide, and 49% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Charlevoix County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 83% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Boyne City?
Yes, along with the other 9 Census places in Charlevoix County, such as Charlevoix, East Jordan, Advance.
Does living in Charlevoix County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Charlevoix County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.