1st Advantage MortgageThe median Missaukee County household earns $66,194, and 11% 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 Missaukee County
- How much Missaukee County households make
- Rent, home values and ownership in Missaukee County
- How Missaukee County residents earn a living
- Missaukee County next to its neighbors
- Missaukee County towns compared
- Debt-to-income at Missaukee County's medians
- Who lives in Missaukee County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Missaukee County
- Licensing and complaints for Missaukee County
- A Missaukee County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Missaukee County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Missaukee County
Roughly 15,207 residents live in Missaukee County, Michigan, 67th by population among the state's 83 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 565 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 27 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 4 places in the county (2 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is McBain, with about 706 residents, or 5% of the county.
How much Missaukee County households make
Missaukee County households have a median income of $66,194 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 31st of 83 in Michigan.
| Yearly household income | Missaukee County | Gap to Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.7% | +1.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.9% | +6.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.1% | -1.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.3% | -6.2 pts |
About 25% of households earn under $35,000, while 27% clear $100,000. Census counts 11.3% of Missaukee County residents in poverty, against 13.2% across Michigan. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.437 here. None of these numbers decides a Missaukee County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Rent, home values and ownership in Missaukee County
A typical Missaukee County rental runs $891 a month including utilities, which is 21% below Michigan. 50% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. With a median value of $170,400, a typical Missaukee County house costs 2.6 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 85% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1980.
| Housing | Missaukee County | Michigan statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $891/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $170,400 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 85% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 32% | 12% | n/a |
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).
How Missaukee County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 17%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 6% of workers here, versus 1% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Missaukee County averages 6.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.7%). About 81% drive to work alone and 14% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 4.7% of the total (7.0% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Missaukee County workers | vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.3% | -3.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.1% | -1.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.7% | +0.9 pts |
| Construction | 10.1% | +4.2 pts |
| Other services | 7.5% | +3.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.0% | +4.9 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Missaukee County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Missaukee County's, from 23 to 34 miles away. Income ranges from $49,384 in Clare County to $68,578 in Kalkaska County; 1 of these neighbors top Missaukee County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missaukee County | - | $66,194 | $891/mo | 85% |
| Roscommon County, MI | 23 mi | $55,246 | $816/mo | 85% |
| Wexford County, MI | 24 mi | $61,085 | $897/mo | 81% |
| Kalkaska County, MI | 24 mi | $68,578 | $853/mo | 88% |
| Osceola County, MI | 26 mi | $58,267 | $807/mo | 84% |
| Clare County, MI | 26 mi | $49,384 | $765/mo | 87% |
| Crawford County, MI | 34 mi | $60,392 | $862/mo | 80% |
Missaukee County towns compared
4 Census places fall mainly inside Missaukee County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 1,887 residents, leaving about 88% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McBain | city | 706 | $47,083 | $298 | 11 mi |
| Lake City | city | 705 | $74,583 | $710 | 6 mi |
| Jennings | CDP | 254 | $41,023 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Falmouth | CDP | 222 | n/a | $869 | 6 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Debt-to-income at Missaukee County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Missaukee County's medians:
- $5,516 a month: gross income for a household at the Missaukee County median
- Less median rent of $891, which is 16% of it
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $1,040 left for all other debt payments
- Under a 45% cap, $2,482 total minus rent leaves $1,591
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Who lives in Missaukee County, in numbers
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. 8.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Missaukee County | Michigan | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.3 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.8% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.9% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.4% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.7% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.2% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.3% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.7% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Missaukee County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.5% |
| 60+ min | 8.9% |
Local borrowing considerations for Missaukee County
A few patterns in the Missaukee County data, and the practical point behind each:
- 15% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- 50% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Consolidating cards in Missaukee County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Licensing and complaints for Missaukee County
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is the place to verify any lender's Michigan license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Michigan guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Missaukee County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Missaukee County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Michigan license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
More guides for Missaukee County
For statewide rules and data, see the Michigan guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Missaukee County?
$66,194 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $72,875 for Michigan. It ranks 31st of 83 in the state.
Is Missaukee County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $891 against $1,129 statewide, and 50% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Missaukee County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 4 Census places: McBain, Lake City, Jennings, Falmouth.
Can Missaukee 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 do I complain to about a lender in Missaukee County?
Start with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.