1st Advantage MortgageThe median Genesee County household earns $62,281, and 16% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Michigan before sharing details.
On this page
- Genesee County by the numbers
- What Genesee County households earn
- How Genesee County residents earn a living
- Genesee County housing compared with Michigan
- Regional comparison for Genesee County
- Places inside Genesee County
- People and households in Genesee County
- Before borrowing in Genesee County
- Room for a loan payment in Genesee County
- Lender oversight for Genesee County
- A Genesee County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Genesee County by the numbers
Roughly 403,305 residents live in Genesee County, Michigan, 5th by population among the state's 83 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 637 square miles, that is close to 633 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Flint, MI metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Flint is the biggest of its 17 Census places, at roughly 80,175 people (20% of the county total).
What Genesee County households earn
At $62,281, the typical Genesee County household income is 5% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Band | Genesee County | Compared with Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.3% | +3.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.9% | +3.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.6% | -3.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.2% | -3.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 29% of Genesee County households make $100,000 or more, and 26% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 16.4%, 3 points higher than the state's 13.2%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Genesee County median.
How Genesee County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 24% of employed Genesee County residents work in education and health care and 17% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in retail trade, at 13% locally and 11% for Michigan. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 8.1% in Genesee County. About 78% drive to work alone and 19% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry | Share of Genesee County workers | vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.9% | +0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.0% | -1.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.1% | +2.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.4% | -0.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.3% | -0.1 pts |
| Construction | 6.3% | +0.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Genesee County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Genesee County housing compared with Michigan
A typical Genesee County rental runs $989 a month including utilities, which is 12% below Michigan. 53% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 28% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $182,400, about 2.9 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 71%. Half the housing stock was built before 1969.
| Measure | Genesee County | Michigan | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $989/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $182,400 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 53% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.6% | 5.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 12% | n/a |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Regional comparison for Genesee County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Genesee County's, from 23 to 35 miles away. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Genesee County; Livingston County is highest at $103,039 and Saginaw County lowest at $60,622.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genesee County | - | $62,281 | $989/mo | 71% |
| Shiawassee County, MI | 23 mi | $67,404 | $899/mo | 80% |
| Lapeer County, MI | 25 mi | $77,306 | $988/mo | 86% |
| Saginaw County, MI | 28 mi | $60,622 | $947/mo | 74% |
| Oakland County, MI | 30 mi | $97,760 | $1,376/mo | 73% |
| Livingston County, MI | 31 mi | $103,039 | $1,287/mo | 87% |
| Tuscola County, MI | 35 mi | $63,811 | $819/mo | 86% |
Places inside Genesee County
The table lists the 14 largest of 17 Census places in Genesee County, by population. Together all 17 hold about 180,851 people, so roughly 55% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $37,515 in Beecher to $125,313 in Argentine. Rent is cheapest in Otisville ($758) and steepest in Lake Fenton ($1,547). This guide covers each of the 17 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flint | city | 80,175 | $37,646 | $915 | 1 mi |
| Burton | city | 29,500 | $60,052 | $1,009 | 5 mi |
| Fenton | city | 11,906 | $80,000 | $1,275 | 15 mi |
| Beecher | CDP | 8,412 | $37,515 | $906 | 5 mi |
| Flushing | city | 8,284 | $80,025 | $944 | 7 mi |
| Grand Blanc | city | 7,987 | $68,052 | $919 | 8 mi |
| Lake Fenton | CDP | 6,417 | $116,352 | $1,547 | 12 mi |
| Swartz Creek | city | 5,853 | $71,571 | $1,247 | 7 mi |
| Davison | city | 5,076 | $48,814 | $891 | 10 mi |
| Linden | city | 4,160 | $79,464 | $809 | 14 mi |
| Mount Morris | city | 3,117 | $48,794 | $1,001 | 7 mi |
| Argentine | CDP | 2,190 | $125,313 | $841 | 17 mi |
| Clio | city | 2,185 | $52,500 | $790 | 11 mi |
| Montrose | city | 2,027 | $44,151 | $822 | 14 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
People and households in Genesee County
23% of Genesee County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 4.8%, against 4.9% for Michigan.
| Indicator | Genesee County | All of Michigan | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.3% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.4% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.8% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.4% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.9% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.4% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.1% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Genesee County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.8% |
| 60+ min | 10.7% |
Before borrowing in Genesee County
What the Genesee County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Long drives. With 19% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Genesee County budgets.
- Rent squeeze. 53% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Room for a loan payment in Genesee County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Genesee County's medians:
- $62,281 a year is $5,190 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $989, takes 19% of that
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $879 left for all other debt payments
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,243 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Lender oversight for Genesee County
Genesee County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. Statewide data and rules: Michigan guide.
A Genesee County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Genesee County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Genesee County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Michigan license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Michigan guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Genesee County household make?
About $62,281 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 15% below the Michigan median.
What do renters pay in Genesee County?
$989 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
Which towns does the Genesee County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 17 Census places: Flint, Burton, Fenton, Beecher, Flushing.
Does living in Genesee 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 Genesee County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Genesee County?
Start with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.