1st Advantage MortgageIn Mecosta County, Michigan, the typical household earns $60,951 a year and the typical rent is $934. 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
- Mecosta County by the numbers
- What Mecosta County households earn
- Jobs and commutes in Mecosta County
- Housing costs in Mecosta County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Mecosta County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- More Mecosta County figures
- Reading the Mecosta County data as a borrower
- What a median Mecosta County budget can carry
- Checklist for Mecosta County applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Mecosta County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Mecosta County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Mecosta County's population at 41,242; only 39 of Michigan's 83 county-level areas are larger. It covers 555 square miles of land, or about 74 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Mecosta County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 7 Census places inside Mecosta County, Big Rapids leads by population with about 8,477; 5 of the 7 are incorporated.
What Mecosta County households earn
The median household income in Mecosta County is $60,951; statewide it is $72,875, so Mecosta County runs 16% below Michigan as a whole. In the state ranking that is 54th of 83.
| Yearly household income | Mecosta County | Gap to Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.4% | +5.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.5% | +6.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.6% | -5.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.6% | -6.0 pts |
About 28% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. Census counts 19.9% of Mecosta County residents in poverty, against 13.2% across Michigan. A household earning below the $60,951 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Jobs and commutes in Mecosta County
Education and health care employs 27% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 15%. Education and health care stands out: 27% of workers here, versus 23% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.0% in Mecosta County. Long commutes are common here: 18% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 7.1% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Mecosta County | Compared with Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.7% | +3.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.0% | -3.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.7% | +2.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.4% | -0.4 pts |
| Construction | 7.3% | +1.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.5% | -4.9 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Housing costs in Mecosta County
A typical Mecosta County rental runs $934 a month including utilities, which is 17% below Michigan. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 52% of renter households here. With a median value of $178,900, a typical Mecosta County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 77%. The median home was built in 1979, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Mecosta County | Michigan statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $934/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $178,900 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 14.5% | 5.0% | n/a |
Because most Mecosta 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. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Mecosta County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 32% of Mecosta County residents live in one of the 7. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $41,750 in Morley to $78,833 in Canadian Lakes. Median rent ranges from $725 in Morley to $929 in Big Rapids. This guide covers each of the 7 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Rapids | city | 8,477 | $43,858 | $929 | 9 mi |
| Canadian Lakes | CDP | 2,991 | $78,833 | $789 | 4 mi |
| Morley | village | 624 | $41,750 | $725 | 11 mi |
| Mecosta | village | 464 | $73,516 | $784 | 5 mi |
| Barryton | village | 394 | $52,875 | $788 | 12 mi |
| Paris | CDP | 202 | $68,281 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Stanwood | village | 162 | $54,632 | $1,063 | 7 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 23 to 35 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Mecosta County; Montcalm County is highest at $67,344 and Clare County lowest at $49,384.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mecosta County | - | $60,951 | $934/mo | 77% |
| Newaygo County, MI | 23 mi | $63,304 | $904/mo | 87% |
| Montcalm County, MI | 24 mi | $67,344 | $869/mo | 83% |
| Isabella County, MI | 25 mi | $55,237 | $913/mo | 62% |
| Osceola County, MI | 25 mi | $58,267 | $807/mo | 84% |
| Lake County, MI | 34 mi | $50,805 | $875/mo | 82% |
| Clare County, MI | 35 mi | $49,384 | $765/mo | 87% |
More Mecosta County figures
College graduates make up 22% of the adult population. 7.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Mecosta County | Michigan | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.0 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.5% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.6% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.8% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.1% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.7% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.9% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.0% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Mecosta County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.3% |
| 60+ min | 9.4% |
Reading the Mecosta County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Mecosta County borrowers.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 15% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 20% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Rent squeeze. 52% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
What a median Mecosta County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Mecosta County's medians:
- Start: $5,079 gross per month ($60,951 / 12)
- Median rent: $934, or 18 cents of every gross dollar
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,098 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Mecosta County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Checklist for Mecosta County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Mecosta County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Michigan license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Licensing and complaints for Mecosta County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Mecosta County borrowers answers to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Michigan: Michigan personal loans.
Related local guides
The Michigan guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mecosta County a high-income county?
Its $60,951 median ranks 54th of 83 Michigan counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Mecosta County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $934 a month; 52% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Mecosta County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Big Rapids, Canadian Lakes, Morley, Mecosta, Barryton.
Does living in Mecosta 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 Mecosta County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Is there a Mecosta County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Michigan it is the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.