1st Advantage MortgageIn Kalkaska County, Michigan, the typical household earns $68,578 a year and the typical rent is $853. 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
- Who lives in Kalkaska County
- Paychecks and income spread in Kalkaska County
- Kalkaska County housing compared with Michigan
- Jobs and commutes in Kalkaska County
- Kalkaska County towns compared
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Debt-to-income at Kalkaska County's medians
- Borrowing situations common in Kalkaska County
- Kalkaska County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Who licenses lenders for Kalkaska County residents
- Steps before you apply in Kalkaska County
- More guides for Kalkaska County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Kalkaska County
With an estimated 18,239 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Kalkaska County ranks 66th of 83 in Michigan for population. Spread over 560 square miles, that works out to roughly 32.6 residents per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Traverse City, MI metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 5 Census places inside Kalkaska County, Kalkaska leads by population with about 2,539; 1 of the 5 are incorporated.
Paychecks and income spread in Kalkaska County
Half of Kalkaska County households take in less than $68,578 a year and half take in more, 6% below the Michigan median of $72,875. Only 24 Michigan counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Kalkaska County | +/- vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.9% | +0.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.6% | +6.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.8% | -1.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.7% | -5.8 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 28% clear $100,000. 12.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.2%). A household earning below the $68,578 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Kalkaska County housing compared with Michigan
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $853 in Kalkaska County versus $1,129 statewide. 36% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 24% spend half or more. With a median value of $188,900, a typical Kalkaska County house costs 2.8 times what the median household earns in a year. 88% of Kalkaska County households own their home and 12% rent. Median construction year: 1980.
| Kalkaska County | Michigan | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $853/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $188,900 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 88% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 33% | 12% | n/a |
Because most Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska County
The biggest employer of Kalkaska County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 22% of workers, followed by manufacturing (17%). Compared with Michigan, the county leans toward construction (10% against 6%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.8% 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. Only 5.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Kalkaska County share | +/- vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.4% | -1.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.7% | -1.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.9% | +1.1 pts |
| Construction | 9.9% | +4.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.2% | +0.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.6% | -3.7 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Kalkaska County towns compared
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Kalkaska County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 5,175 people, so roughly 72% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $57,143 in Kalkaska to $83,750 in South Boardman. No Kalkaska County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 5.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalkaska | village | 2,539 | $57,143 | $633 | 6 mi |
| Rapid City | CDP | 1,328 | $73,021 | $969 | 15 mi |
| South Boardman | CDP | 553 | $83,750 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Manistee Lake | CDP | 412 | $56,250 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Bear Lake | CDP | 343 | $67,188 | n/a | 8 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 23 to 34 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Kalkaska County; Grand Traverse County is highest at $81,647 and Roscommon County lowest at $55,246.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalkaska County | - | $68,578 | $853/mo | 88% |
| Antrim County, MI | 23 mi | $72,054 | $902/mo | 86% |
| Grand Traverse County, MI | 23 mi | $81,647 | $1,288/mo | 77% |
| Crawford County, MI | 23 mi | $60,392 | $862/mo | 80% |
| Missaukee County, MI | 24 mi | $66,194 | $891/mo | 85% |
| Roscommon County, MI | 33 mi | $55,246 | $816/mo | 85% |
| Wexford County, MI | 34 mi | $61,085 | $897/mo | 81% |
Debt-to-income at Kalkaska County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Kalkaska County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Kalkaska County: $5,715
- Housing at the median rent of $853 uses 15%
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,433 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Kalkaska County's.
Borrowing situations common in Kalkaska County
A few patterns in the Kalkaska County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Vehicle repairs. 24% of Kalkaska County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Mobile home upkeep. 14% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Kalkaska County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. 6.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Kalkaska County | Michigan | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.4 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.0% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.5% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.1% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.0% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.4% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.2% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.8% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 22.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.2% |
| 60+ min | 9.7% |
Who licenses lenders for Kalkaska County residents
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is the place to verify any lender's Michigan license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Michigan: Michigan personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Kalkaska County
Quick steps for Kalkaska County:
- 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.
More guides for Kalkaska County
The Michigan guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Kalkaska County?
$68,578 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $72,875 for Michigan. It ranks 25th of 83 in the state.
Is Kalkaska County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $853 against $1,129 statewide, and 36% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Kalkaska County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 88% of Kalkaska County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Kalkaska County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Kalkaska, Rapid City, South Boardman, Manistee Lake, Bear Lake.
Is the fit check different in Kalkaska County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.