1st Advantage MortgageAbout 80% of Crawford County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $60,392. 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
- Crawford County at a glance
- What Crawford County households earn
- What it costs to live in Crawford County
- Jobs and commutes in Crawford County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Places inside Crawford County
- Crawford County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Crawford County
- Room for a loan payment in Crawford County
- Licensing and complaints for Crawford County
- Four steps for Crawford County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Crawford County at a glance
Roughly 13,369 residents live in Crawford County, Michigan, 70th by population among the state's 83 counties and county equivalents. It covers 556 square miles of land, or about 24 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Crawford County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 1 place in the county (1 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Grayling, with about 1,671 residents, or 12% of the county.
What Crawford County households earn
Half of Crawford County households take in less than $60,392 a year and half take in more, 17% below the Michigan median of $72,875.
| Yearly household income | Crawford County | Gap to Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.6% | +5.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.4% | +7.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.2% | -6.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.8% | -6.7 pts |
About 29% of households earn under $35,000, while 22% clear $100,000. 14.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.2%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.402 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
What it costs to live in Crawford County
Renters in Crawford County pay a median of $862 a month, 24% below the Michigan figure of $1,129. 45% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 23% spend half or more. Home values center on $163,000, or 2.7 years of median income. 80% of Crawford County households own their home and 20% rent. Median construction year: 1980.
| Cost | Crawford County | Michigan figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $862/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $163,000 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 40% | 12% | n/a |
Because most Crawford 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.
Jobs and commutes in Crawford County
The biggest employer of Crawford County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by retail trade (12%). Compared with Michigan, the county leans toward public administration (8% against 4%). The survey's unemployment rate for Crawford County averages 8.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.7%). 12% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home. Only 8.3% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Crawford County | Gap to Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.7% | +1.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.5% | +1.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.4% | -6.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.6% | +0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.6% | -1.7 pts |
| Public administration | 8.5% | +4.9 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Crawford County's, from 23 to 34 miles away. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Crawford County; Kalkaska County is highest at $68,578 and Oscoda County lowest at $49,515.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crawford County | - | $60,392 | $862/mo | 80% |
| Kalkaska County, MI | 23 mi | $68,578 | $853/mo | 88% |
| Roscommon County, MI | 24 mi | $55,246 | $816/mo | 85% |
| Otsego County, MI | 24 mi | $68,183 | $1,008/mo | 77% |
| Oscoda County, MI | 24 mi | $49,515 | $681/mo | 87% |
| Montmorency County, MI | 33 mi | $49,756 | $686/mo | 88% |
| Ogemaw County, MI | 34 mi | $54,666 | $823/mo | 84% |
Places inside Crawford County
Grayling is the only Census place mainly inside Crawford County, with about 1,671 of the county's 13,369 residents. Live in one of these Crawford County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grayling | city | 1,671 | $32,545 | $788 | 5 mi |
Crawford County households compared
20% of Crawford County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 5% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Crawford County | Michigan | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 51.6 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.3% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.7% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.1% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.3% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.4% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.7% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.2% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 42.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.5% |
| 60+ min | 9.1% |
Borrowing situations common in Crawford County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Crawford County borrowers.
- Fixed incomes. Crawford County's median age is 51.6. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Rent squeeze. 45% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Room for a loan payment in Crawford County
Here is the Crawford County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Crawford County: $5,033
- 17% goes to median rent ($862)
- $950: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,302 a month
If your rent is above $862, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Licensing and complaints for Crawford County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Crawford County borrowers answers to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Michigan state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Crawford County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Crawford County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Michigan borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Michigan guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Crawford County earn?
The median is $60,392; 22% earn $100,000 or more and 29% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Crawford County rent compare with Michigan?
$862 locally versus $1,129 for the state, 24% below.
I live in a small Crawford County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Grayling.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Crawford County or elsewhere in Michigan, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Crawford County?
Start with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.