1st Advantage MortgageThe median Gladwin County household earns $55,349, and 15% 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 Gladwin County
- How much Gladwin County households make
- The Gladwin County job picture
- Rent, home values and ownership in Gladwin County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Gladwin County towns compared
- A Gladwin County household budget, worked through
- People and households in Gladwin County
- What the numbers mean for Gladwin County borrowers
- Steps before you apply in Gladwin County
- Michigan rules that apply in Gladwin County
- More guides for Gladwin County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Gladwin County
Roughly 25,693 residents live in Gladwin County, Michigan, 55th by population among the state's 83 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 502 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 51 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Gladwin County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (2 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Gladwin, with about 3,098 residents, or 12% of the county.
How much Gladwin County households make
At $55,349, the typical Gladwin County household income is 16% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 68th of 83.
| Income band | Share in Gladwin County | Difference from Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.7% | +6.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.1% | +5.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.7% | -6.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.5% | -6.0 pts |
Some 30% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 23% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 14.9%, 2 points higher than the state's 13.2%. A household earning below the $55,349 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The Gladwin County job picture
The biggest employer of Gladwin County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 20% of workers, followed by manufacturing (17%). Compared with Michigan, the county leans toward construction (10% against 6%). Averaged over the five survey years, 6.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 24% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Sector | Gladwin County | Compared with Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.5% | -3.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.3% | -1.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | -0.3 pts |
| Construction | 10.4% | +4.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.4% | +0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.3% | -3.0 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Rent, home values and ownership in Gladwin County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $690 in Gladwin County versus $1,129 statewide. By the Census definition, 46% of Gladwin County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $162,300, or 2.9 years of median income. The ownership rate is 86%. Median construction year: 1980.
| Home costs | Gladwin County | Michigan | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $690/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $162,300 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 86% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 11.3% | 5.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 34% | 12% | n/a |
Because most Gladwin 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.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (22 to 32 miles). Midland County leads the group on income ($77,705), Clare County trails ($49,384), and Gladwin County out-earns 3 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gladwin County | - | $55,349 | $690/mo | 86% |
| Clare County, MI | 22 mi | $49,384 | $765/mo | 87% |
| Midland County, MI | 24 mi | $77,705 | $1,016/mo | 78% |
| Roscommon County, MI | 27 mi | $55,246 | $816/mo | 85% |
| Ogemaw County, MI | 27 mi | $54,666 | $823/mo | 84% |
| Bay County, MI | 29 mi | $61,763 | $860/mo | 77% |
| Arenac County, MI | 32 mi | $58,811 | $761/mo | 86% |
Gladwin County towns compared
The table lists the 2 largest of 2 Census places in Gladwin County, by population. Together all 2 hold about 4,159 people, so roughly 84% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gladwin | city | 3,098 | $43,005 | $628 | 5 mi |
| Beaverton | city | 1,061 | $30,050 | $694 | 9 mi |
A Gladwin County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Gladwin County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Gladwin County: $4,612
- 15% goes to median rent ($690)
- $1,293: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
People and households in Gladwin County
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. About 8% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Gladwin County | Michigan | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.7 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.9% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.9% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.1% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.8% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.9% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.9% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.8% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.3% |
| 60+ min | 10.6% |
What the numbers mean for Gladwin County borrowers
What the Gladwin County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Commuter costs. 24% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Retirees. At a median age of 50.7, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Tight rental budgets. With 46% of Gladwin County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Steps before you apply in Gladwin County
Quick steps for Gladwin County:
- Price the Gladwin County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Michigan rules that apply in Gladwin County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Gladwin County borrowers answers to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Michigan state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Gladwin County
For statewide rules and data, see the Michigan guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gladwin County a high-income county?
Its $55,349 median ranks 68th of 83 Michigan counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Gladwin County rent compare with Michigan?
$690 locally versus $1,129 for the state, 39% below.
Should Gladwin County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 86% of Gladwin County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Gladwin County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 2 Census places: Gladwin, Beaverton.
Does living in Gladwin 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 Gladwin County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.