1st Advantage MortgageThe median Livingston County household earns $103,039, and 5% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- A quick profile of Livingston County
- Housing costs in Livingston County
- What Livingston County households earn
- Work, industries and travel time in Livingston County
- Towns and communities in Livingston County
- How Livingston County compares with nearby counties
- What a median Livingston County budget can carry
- People and households in Livingston County
- Before borrowing in Livingston County
- Steps before you apply in Livingston County
- Michigan rules that apply in Livingston County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Livingston County
With an estimated 195,833 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Livingston County ranks 10th of 83 in Michigan for population. Land area is 565 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 346 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metropolitan area. Of the 5 Census places inside Livingston County, Howell leads by population with about 10,021; 4 of the 5 are incorporated.
Housing costs in Livingston County
Renters in Livingston County pay a median of $1,287 a month, 14% above the Michigan figure of $1,129. 49% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. With a median value of $356,800, a typical Livingston County house costs 3.5 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 87% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1991.
| Home costs | Livingston County | Michigan | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,287/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $356,800 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 87% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.8% | 5.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 5% | 12% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Livingston County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
What Livingston County households earn
Half of Livingston County households take in less than $103,039 a year and half take in more, 41% above the Michigan median of $72,875. In the state ranking that is 1st of 83.
| Households earning | Livingston County | +/- vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 11.8% | -11.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.5% | -4.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 34.0% | +8.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 17.7% | +8.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 52% of Livingston County households make $100,000 or more, and 12% make less than $35,000. Census counts 5.1% of Livingston County residents in poverty, against 13.2% across Michigan. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.416 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Livingston County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Work, industries and travel time in Livingston County
The biggest employer of Livingston County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by manufacturing (18%). Compared with Michigan, the county leans toward construction (8% against 6%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.4% in Livingston County. About 76% drive to work alone and 25% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry | Share of Livingston County workers | vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.7% | -0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.5% | +0.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.8% | +0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | -0.3 pts |
| Construction | 8.3% | +2.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -1.5 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.
Towns and communities in Livingston County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Livingston County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 23,450 people, so roughly 88% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $112,257 at the median in Hartland, $45,773 in Fowlerville. Median rent ranges from $1,043 in Fowlerville to $1,198 in Brighton. None of the 5 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howell | city | 10,021 | $60,449 | $1,177 | 1 mi |
| Brighton | city | 7,688 | $80,682 | $1,198 | 8 mi |
| Fowlerville | village | 2,918 | $45,773 | $1,043 | 9 mi |
| Pinckney | village | 1,911 | $96,855 | $1,150 | 10 mi |
| Hartland | CDP | 912 | $112,257 | n/a | 10 mi |
How Livingston County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Livingston County's, from 24 to 36 miles away. None of the six report a higher median household income than Livingston County; Oakland County is highest at $97,760 and Genesee County lowest at $62,281.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Livingston County | - | $103,039 | $1,287/mo | 87% |
| Ingham County, MI | 24 mi | $65,526 | $1,084/mo | 59% |
| Washtenaw County, MI | 24 mi | $89,180 | $1,463/mo | 62% |
| Shiawassee County, MI | 27 mi | $67,404 | $899/mo | 80% |
| Oakland County, MI | 27 mi | $97,760 | $1,376/mo | 73% |
| Genesee County, MI | 31 mi | $62,281 | $989/mo | 71% |
| Jackson County, MI | 36 mi | $66,073 | $985/mo | 75% |
What a median Livingston County budget can carry
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Livingston County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $8,587 gross per month ($103,039 / 12)
- 15% goes to median rent ($1,287)
- With a 40% ceiling, about $2,148 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
People and households in Livingston County
Degree holders: 40% of adults over 25. About 3% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Livingston County | Michigan statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.9 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 40.2% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 3.6% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 2.7% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.2% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 16.7% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 5.1% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Livingston County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 20.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.9% |
| 60+ min | 10.7% |
Before borrowing in Livingston County
Where the Livingston County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Commuter costs. 25% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Consolidation math. With 52% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- Rent squeeze. 49% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Steps before you apply in Livingston County
A short checklist for Livingston County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Livingston County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Michigan license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Michigan rules that apply in Livingston County
Livingston County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Michigan: Michigan personal loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Michigan guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Livingston County?
$103,039 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $72,875 for Michigan. It ranks 1st of 83 in the state.
How much is rent in Livingston County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,287 a month; 49% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Livingston County?
By population: Howell, Brighton, Fowlerville, Pinckney, Hartland. The county has 5 Census places in all.
Does living in Livingston 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 Livingston County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Is there a Livingston County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Michigan it is the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.