1st Advantage MortgageThe median Clinton County household earns $88,210, and 10% 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
- A quick profile of Clinton County
- Income in Clinton County compared with Michigan
- Housing costs in Clinton County
- Work, industries and travel time in Clinton County
- Towns and communities in Clinton County
- Counties near Clinton County
- Clinton County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Clinton County
- Room for a loan payment in Clinton County
- A Clinton County borrower's checklist
- Licensing and complaints for Clinton County
- More guides for Clinton County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Clinton County
Clinton County is home to about 79,626 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 25th most populous of 83 county-level areas in Michigan. Land area is 567 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 140 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 12 places in the county (8 incorporated, 4 census-designated); the largest is St. Johns, with about 7,715 residents, or 10% of the county.
Income in Clinton County compared with Michigan
Half of Clinton County households take in less than $88,210 a year and half take in more, 21% above the Michigan median of $72,875. Only 5 Michigan counties post a higher median.
| Band | Clinton County | Compared with Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 16.6% | -6.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.2% | -2.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 32.8% | +6.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.5% | +1.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 44% of Clinton County households make $100,000 or more, and 17% make less than $35,000. Census counts 9.7% of Clinton County residents in poverty, against 13.2% across Michigan. A household earning below the $88,210 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Housing costs in Clinton County
Renters in Clinton County pay a median of $1,092 a month, 3% below the Michigan figure of $1,129. By the Census definition, 44% of Clinton County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $259,500, a typical Clinton County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 82% of homes. The median year built is 1981.
| Home costs | Clinton County | Michigan | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,092/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $259,500 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 82% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.1% | 5.0% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Clinton 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.
Work, industries and travel time in Clinton County
The biggest employer of Clinton County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 24% of workers, followed by manufacturing (12%). Compared with Michigan, the county leans toward public administration (10% against 4%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.8% in Clinton County. Long commutes are the exception here: 10% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Clinton County | Gap to Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.3% | +1.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.5% | -6.7 pts |
| Public administration | 10.1% | +6.5 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 10.0% | +4.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.8% | -1.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.3% | -2.1 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Towns and communities in Clinton County
The table lists the 12 largest of 12 Census places in Clinton County, by population. Together all 12 hold about 23,750 people, so roughly 70% of residents live outside any named place. Lake Victoria has the highest median household income on the list ($120,156) and Ovid the lowest ($50,145), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $433 in Maple Rapids to $1,268 in Bath. No Clinton County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 12.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Johns | city | 7,715 | $68,728 | $887 | 4 mi |
| DeWitt | city | 4,777 | $110,341 | $1,072 | 8 mi |
| Bath | CDP | 2,896 | $60,417 | $1,268 | 11 mi |
| Wacousta | CDP | 1,711 | $109,250 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Fowler | village | 1,387 | $74,282 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Ovid | city | 1,370 | $50,145 | $849 | 11 mi |
| Lake Victoria | CDP | 1,006 | $120,156 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Elsie | village | 1,000 | $59,318 | $700 | 14 mi |
| Westphalia | village | 980 | $77,386 | $699 | 11 mi |
| Maple Rapids | village | 727 | $51,786 | $433 | 12 mi |
| Eagle | village | 93 | $83,750 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Eureka | CDP | 88 | $78,750 | n/a | 11 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Counties near Clinton County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Clinton County's, from 23 to 38 miles away. None of the six report a higher median household income than Clinton County; Eaton County is highest at $79,597 and Saginaw County lowest at $60,622.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton County | - | $88,210 | $1,092/mo | 82% |
| Shiawassee County, MI | 23 mi | $67,404 | $899/mo | 80% |
| Gratiot County, MI | 24 mi | $63,556 | $834/mo | 79% |
| Ionia County, MI | 24 mi | $75,611 | $884/mo | 77% |
| Ingham County, MI | 26 mi | $65,526 | $1,084/mo | 59% |
| Eaton County, MI | 28 mi | $79,597 | $1,092/mo | 74% |
| Saginaw County, MI | 38 mi | $60,622 | $947/mo | 74% |
Clinton County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 35% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 2.9%, against 4.9% for Michigan.
| Indicator | Clinton County | All of Michigan | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.8 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 35.4% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.7% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 2.9% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.8% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 16.3% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.7% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.8% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Clinton County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 25.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 46.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.0% |
| 60+ min | 6.4% |
Before borrowing in Clinton County
Based on the Clinton County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Strong incomes, long terms. 44% of Clinton County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Room for a loan payment in Clinton County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Clinton County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $7,351 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $1,092, takes 15% of that
- Under a 36% cap, $2,646 total minus rent leaves $1,554
Two-income households and single earners in Clinton County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
A Clinton County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Clinton County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Michigan borrowers.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Licensing and complaints for Clinton County
Clinton County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Michigan: Michigan personal loans.
More guides for Clinton County
For statewide rules and data, see the Michigan guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Clinton County?
$88,210 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $72,875 for Michigan. It ranks 6th of 83 in the state.
How much is rent in Clinton County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,092 a month; 44% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover St. Johns?
Yes, along with the other 11 Census places in Clinton County, such as DeWitt, Bath, Wacousta.
Does living in Clinton 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 Clinton County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Clinton County?
Start with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.