1st Advantage MortgageMackinac County households have a median income of $63,909 and median rent of $760 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- A quick profile of Mackinac County
- Jobs and commutes in Mackinac County
- What Mackinac County households earn
- Renting and owning in Mackinac County
- Counties near Mackinac County
- Places inside Mackinac County
- Budget math at the Mackinac County median
- More Mackinac County figures
- Borrowing situations common in Mackinac County
- Licensing and complaints for Mackinac County
- Four steps for Mackinac County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Mackinac County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Mackinac County's population at 10,957; only 73 of Michigan's 83 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 1,022 square miles, that works out to roughly 10.7 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Mackinac County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. St. Ignace is the biggest of its 3 Census places, at roughly 2,463 people (22% of the county total).
Jobs and commutes in Mackinac County
By the Census industry count, 18% of employed Mackinac County residents work in education and health care and 15% in retail trade. The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 13% locally and 4% for Michigan. The survey's unemployment rate for Mackinac County averages 8.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.7%). About 66% drive to work alone and 20% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Sector | Mackinac County | Compared with Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 17.7% | -5.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 15.4% | +4.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 14.0% | +5.6 pts |
| Public administration | 13.0% | +9.4 pts |
| Construction | 8.3% | +2.4 pts |
| Other services | 6.8% | +2.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
What Mackinac County households earn
Half of Mackinac County households take in less than $63,909 a year and half take in more, 12% below the Michigan median of $72,875.
| Band | Mackinac County | Compared with Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.6% | +4.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.7% | +2.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.0% | -1.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.6% | -4.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 29% of Mackinac County households make $100,000 or more, and 28% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 16.1%, 3 points higher than the state's 13.2%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Renting and owning in Mackinac County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $760 in Mackinac County versus $1,129 statewide. By the Census definition, 37% of Mackinac County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $174,500, about 2.7 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 78%. Half the housing stock was built before 1976.
| Housing | Mackinac County | Michigan statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $760/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $174,500 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 37% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 7.4% | 5.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 51% | 12% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Mackinac 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.
Counties near Mackinac County
Six nearby counties, 26 to 62 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $54,893 in Luce County to $78,112 in Emmet County; 2 of these neighbors top Mackinac County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mackinac County | - | $63,909 | $760/mo | 78% |
| Luce County, MI | 26 mi | $54,893 | $675/mo | 83% |
| Chippewa County, MI | 39 mi | $62,217 | $797/mo | 75% |
| Charlevoix County, MI | 40 mi | $76,531 | $949/mo | 83% |
| Emmet County, MI | 43 mi | $78,112 | $1,112/mo | 77% |
| Schoolcraft County, MI | 44 mi | $56,782 | $705/mo | 87% |
| Cheboygan County, MI | 62 mi | $62,875 | $773/mo | 86% |
Places inside Mackinac County
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Mackinac County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 3,127 people, so roughly 71% of residents live outside any named place. None of the 3 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Ignace | city | 2,463 | $64,663 | $607 | 34 mi |
| Mackinac Island | city | 561 | $95,000 | $1,197 | 39 mi |
| Naubinway | CDP | 103 | $48,875 | n/a | 9 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Budget math at the Mackinac County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Mackinac County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $5,326 a month: gross income for a household at the Mackinac County median
- Rent at the median, $760, takes 14% of that
- Under a 35% cap, $1,864 total minus rent leaves $1,104
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,637 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $760, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
More Mackinac County figures
College graduates make up 25% of the adult population. 10.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Mackinac County | Michigan | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 53.0 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.0% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.8% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.3% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.1% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.5% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.1% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.0% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 48.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 18.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.4% |
| 60+ min | 15.3% |
Borrowing situations common in Mackinac County
Based on the Mackinac County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Health costs. With 10% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Vehicle repairs. 20% of Mackinac County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 53, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
Licensing and complaints for Mackinac County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Mackinac County resident can confirm its license with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Michigan guide.
Four steps for Mackinac County borrowers
Steps that save money for Mackinac County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Mackinac County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Michigan license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Related local guides
The Michigan guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Mackinac County earn?
The median is $63,909; 29% earn $100,000 or more and 28% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Mackinac County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $760 against $1,129 statewide, and 37% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Mackinac County?
By population: St. Ignace, Mackinac Island, Naubinway. The county has 3 Census places in all.
Can Mackinac County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Michigan county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who regulates personal lenders for Mackinac County residents?
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services licenses consumer lenders in Michigan; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.