1st Advantage MortgageIn Delta County, Michigan, the typical household earns $57,809 a year and the typical rent is $692. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Michigan license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Delta County
- How much Delta County households make
- How Delta County residents earn a living
- Renting and owning in Delta County
- Counties near Delta County
- Delta County towns compared
- People and households in Delta County
- Before borrowing in Delta County
- A Delta County household budget, worked through
- Michigan rules that apply in Delta County
- A Delta County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Delta County
Delta County is home to about 36,813 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 43rd most populous of 83 county-level areas in Michigan. It covers 1,171 square miles of land, or about 31 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 5 Census places inside Delta County, Escanaba leads by population with about 12,354; 3 of the 5 are incorporated.
How much Delta County households make
Delta County households have a median income of $57,809 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 64th of 83 in Michigan.
| Income band | Share in Delta County | Difference from Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.5% | +6.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.0% | +3.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.3% | -5.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.2% | -4.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 26% of Delta County households make $100,000 or more, and 29% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 12.7%, 1 point lower than the state's 13.2%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.474 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
How Delta County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 21% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 17%. Arts, lodging and food service stands out: 12% of workers here, versus 8% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 82% drive to work alone and 8% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 7.2% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Delta County | Gap to Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.8% | -2.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.8% | -1.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.7% | +2.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 12.0% | +3.5 pts |
| Construction | 6.3% | +0.4 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.0% | +0.2 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 Delta County
Renters in Delta County pay a median of $692 a month, 39% below the Michigan figure of $1,129. By the Census definition, 41% of Delta County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $157,100, about 2.7 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 82%. Half the housing stock was built before 1970.
| Delta County | Michigan | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $692/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $157,100 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 82% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 7.3% | 5.0% | n/a |
Because most Delta 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.
Counties near Delta County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (34 to 61 miles). Income ranges from $56,435 in Menominee County to $99,422 in Leelanau County; 4 of these neighbors top Delta County's median. Some neighbors are in Wisconsin. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Delta County resident follows Michigan rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta County | - | $57,809 | $692/mo | 82% |
| Menominee County, MI | 34 mi | $56,435 | $692/mo | 81% |
| Schoolcraft County, MI | 37 mi | $56,782 | $705/mo | 87% |
| Dickinson County, MI | 49 mi | $65,156 | $797/mo | 82% |
| Door County, WI | 50 mi | $74,795 | $1,086/mo | 78% |
| Alger County, MI | 51 mi | $61,286 | $714/mo | 86% |
| Leelanau County, MI | 61 mi | $99,422 | $1,228/mo | 92% |
Delta County towns compared
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Delta County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 18,144 people, so roughly 51% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Delta County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escanaba | city | 12,354 | $45,369 | $657 | 10 mi |
| Gladstone | city | 5,253 | $54,970 | $910 | 7 mi |
| Rapid River | CDP | 223 | $51,500 | $99 | 9 mi |
| Rock | CDP | 160 | $71,250 | n/a | 22 mi |
| Garden | village | 154 | $42,917 | $645 | 17 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
People and households in Delta County
21% of Delta County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Delta County | All of Michigan | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.0 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.6% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.1% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.8% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.2% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.8% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.7% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Delta County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 53.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.5% |
| 60+ min | 4.7% |
Before borrowing in Delta County
Based on the Delta County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Older households. A 48.0 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
A Delta County household budget, worked through
Here is the Delta County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $4,817 a month: gross income for a household at the Delta County median
- Housing at the median rent of $692 uses 14%
- At 35%, room after rent is $994 a month
- Under a 45% cap, $2,168 total minus rent leaves $1,476
Two-income households and single earners in Delta County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Michigan rules that apply in Delta County
Consumer lenders serving Delta County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Michigan that is the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Michigan: Michigan personal loans.
A Delta County borrower's checklist
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Delta County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Michigan license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask a Delta County credit union about member loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Michigan guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Delta County a high-income county?
Its $57,809 median ranks 64th of 83 Michigan counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Delta County?
$692 a month at the median, about 14% of median household income.
I own my home in Delta County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 82% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Escanaba?
Yes, along with the other 4 Census places in Delta County, such as Gladstone, Rapid River, Rock.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Delta County or elsewhere in Michigan, the same rules apply.