1st Advantage MortgageKeweenaw County households have a median income of $52,583 and median rent of $688 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- First look: Keweenaw County, MI
- How much Keweenaw County households make
- Keweenaw County against other Michigan counties
- How Keweenaw County residents earn a living
- Rent, home values and ownership in Keweenaw County
- Mohawk and the rest of Keweenaw County
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Local borrowing considerations for Keweenaw County
- What a median Keweenaw County budget can carry
- Keweenaw County demographics against Michigan
- Lender oversight for Keweenaw County
- Before you sign
- Beyond Keweenaw County
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Keweenaw County, MI
With an estimated 2,133 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Keweenaw County ranks 83rd of 83 in Michigan for population. Land area is 540 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 4 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Keweenaw County is not part of any metropolitan area. Mohawk is the biggest of its 6 Census places, at roughly 264 people (12% of the county total). Because Keweenaw County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
How much Keweenaw County households make
The median household income in Keweenaw County is $52,583; statewide it is $72,875, so Keweenaw County runs 28% below Michigan as a whole. Only 77 Michigan counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Keweenaw County | Gap to Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.2% | +7.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.0% | +4.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.1% | -7.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.7% | -3.8 pts |
On the low end, 30% of Keweenaw County households report under $35,000; at the top, 24% report $100,000-plus. Keweenaw County counts about 323 residents below the poverty line, 15.2% of the population. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.494 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Keweenaw County median.
Keweenaw County against other Michigan counties
Where Keweenaw County lands at the extremes of Michigan's county rankings:
- Households without a vehicle: 2.4% in Keweenaw County, the lowest of 83 in Michigan. Nearly every household has a vehicle, so repair costs are a common reason to borrow.
- Keweenaw County ranks the lowest of 83 Michigan counties for population: 2,133, against 10,077,761 statewide. In a small county, the nearest lender may not be the best; compare online offers too.
- On the ACS unemployment rate, Keweenaw County sits near the bottom of Michigan at 2.2%, the lowest of 83. Low unemployment does not lower your rate; your credit does.
- Keweenaw County ranks 2nd highest of 83 Michigan counties for homeownership: 91%, against 73% statewide. Most households here own, so home equity is often an alternative to weigh.
How Keweenaw County residents earn a living
Top Keweenaw County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 27%; second, construction, 12%. Compared with Michigan, the county leans toward construction (12% against 6%). Unemployment in Keweenaw County, ACS five-year: 2.2%; Michigan: 5.7%. Long commutes are the exception here: 12% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 2.4% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Keweenaw County share | +/- vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.4% | +4.1 pts |
| Construction | 11.9% | +6.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.9% | +1.5 pts |
| Other services | 8.7% | +4.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.7% | -9.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.3% | -3.0 pts |
Self-employed in Keweenaw County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Rent, home values and ownership in Keweenaw County
$688 a month is the median gross rent in Keweenaw County, 39% below the state. By the Census definition, 35% of Keweenaw County renters are cost-burdened. Median value $169,800; median income $52,583; ratio 3.2. Owners occupy 91% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1961.
| Home costs | Keweenaw County | Michigan | Compared with Michigan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 91% | 73% | +17.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 50% | -15.1 pts |
| Burdened owners | 38% | 23% | +14.9 pts |
| Median gross rent | $688/mo | $1,129/mo | 39% lower |
| Median home value | $169,800 | $231,600 | 27% lower |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Mohawk and the rest of Keweenaw County
807 of Keweenaw County's 2,133 residents live in its 6 Census places (38%); the 6 largest are listed. This guide covers each of the 6 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohawk | CDP | 264 | $28,224 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Copper Harbor | CDP | 163 | $67,188 | n/a | 24 mi |
| Eagle Harbor | CDP | 110 | $108,438 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Fulton | CDP | 94 | $41,136 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Ahmeek | village | 93 | $41,250 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Eagle River | CDP | 83 | $78,750 | n/a | 5 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
Houghton County is closest, 29 miles from center to center; the sixth, Gogebic County, is 91 miles off. Marquette County leads the group on income ($65,429), Gogebic County trails ($52,732), and Keweenaw County out-earns 0 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keweenaw County | - | $52,583 | $688/mo | 91% |
| Houghton County, MI | 29 mi | $58,899 | $840/mo | 72% |
| Baraga County, MI | 46 mi | $55,327 | $616/mo | 79% |
| Ontonagon County, MI | 57 mi | $54,398 | $540/mo | 87% |
| Marquette County, MI | 61 mi | $65,429 | $949/mo | 70% |
| Iron County, MI | 83 mi | $55,940 | $716/mo | 84% |
| Gogebic County, MI | 91 mi | $52,732 | $623/mo | 81% |
Local borrowing considerations for Keweenaw County
Keweenaw County-specific points to check:
- Retirees. At a median age of 57.1, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Keweenaw County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
What a median Keweenaw County budget can carry
Keweenaw County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Keweenaw County: $4,382
- 16% goes to median rent ($688)
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,065 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
A household below the $52,583 median has less room than this, often none.
Keweenaw County demographics against Michigan
College graduates make up 41% of the adult population. 8.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Keweenaw County | Compared with Michigan | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 57.1 | +16.9 yrs | +15.6 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 41.2% | +8.7 pts | +19.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 2.4% | -4.6 pts | -3.0 pts |
| Work from home | 17.6% | +4.1 pts | +8.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 3.9% | -4.1 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.7% | +3.8 pts | +0.9 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.2% | -3.6 pts | -2.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 15.2% | +1.9 pts | +2.0 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Keweenaw County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 8.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.8% |
| 60+ min | 3.3% |
Lender oversight for Keweenaw County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Keweenaw County borrowers answers to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Michigan page has statewide figures to set beside Keweenaw County's.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Keweenaw County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Beyond Keweenaw County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Is $52,583 a good income in Keweenaw County?
It is the county median, so half of Keweenaw County households earn more and half less; 24% earn $100,000 or more.
How much is rent in Keweenaw County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $688 a month; 35% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Can Keweenaw County owners borrow against a $169,800 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
Is Eagle River covered?
Yes. Eagle River is one of 6 Census places in Keweenaw County, and this guide covers all of them.
Will a Keweenaw County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Michigan as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.