1st Advantage MortgageAbout 83% of Montcalm County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $67,344. 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
- Getting oriented in Montcalm County
- Employment and commuting in Montcalm County
- What Montcalm County households earn
- Housing costs in Montcalm County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Places inside Montcalm County
- Montcalm County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Local borrowing considerations for Montcalm County
- Budget math at the Montcalm County median
- Michigan rules that apply in Montcalm County
- Four steps for Montcalm County borrowers
- More guides for Montcalm County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Montcalm County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Montcalm County's population at 67,816; only 27 of Michigan's 83 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 705 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 96 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 11 places in the county (9 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Greenville, with about 8,995 residents, or 13% of the county.
Employment and commuting in Montcalm County
The biggest employer of Montcalm County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 23% of workers, followed by education and health care (19%). The sharpest difference from the state is in construction, at 10% locally and 6% for Michigan. The survey's unemployment rate for Montcalm County averages 5.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.7%). 26% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. Households without a car make up 5.7% of the total (7.0% statewide).
| Top industries | Montcalm County share | +/- vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 22.6% | +4.4 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.8% | -4.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.3% | +2.5 pts |
| Construction | 10.4% | +4.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.5% | -1.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.7% | -4.6 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.
What Montcalm County households earn
Half of Montcalm County households take in less than $67,344 a year and half take in more, 8% below the Michigan median of $72,875.
| Band | Montcalm County | Compared with Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.2% | +1.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.0% | +7.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.1% | -2.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.7% | -5.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 27% of Montcalm County households make $100,000 or more, and 24% make less than $35,000. Census counts 12.6% of Montcalm County residents in poverty, against 13.2% across Michigan. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.400 here. For a borrower in Montcalm County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Housing costs in Montcalm County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $869 in Montcalm County versus $1,129 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 44% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $185,500, about 2.8 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 83%. Half the housing stock was built before 1977.
| Home costs | Montcalm County | Michigan | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $869/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $185,500 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 83% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.7% | 5.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 12% | n/a |
Because most Montcalm 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.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (24 to 37 miles). 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Montcalm County; Kent County is highest at $82,631 and Isabella County lowest at $55,237.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montcalm County | - | $67,344 | $869/mo | 83% |
| Mecosta County, MI | 24 mi | $60,951 | $934/mo | 77% |
| Ionia County, MI | 26 mi | $75,611 | $884/mo | 77% |
| Gratiot County, MI | 27 mi | $63,556 | $834/mo | 79% |
| Isabella County, MI | 28 mi | $55,237 | $913/mo | 62% |
| Kent County, MI | 28 mi | $82,631 | $1,243/mo | 70% |
| Newaygo County, MI | 37 mi | $63,304 | $904/mo | 87% |
Places inside Montcalm County
The table lists the 11 largest of 11 Census places in Montcalm County, by population. Together all 11 hold about 18,439 people, so roughly 73% of residents live outside any named place. Trufant has the highest median household income on the list ($93,750) and Lakeview the lowest ($33,631), counting places with at least 500 residents. None of the 11 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | city | 8,995 | $63,285 | $894 | 11 mi |
| Howard City | village | 1,636 | $54,688 | $609 | 17 mi |
| Edmore | village | 1,514 | $54,063 | $686 | 9 mi |
| Stanton | city | 1,285 | $48,750 | $640 | 4 mi |
| Carson City | city | 1,233 | $44,375 | $680 | 18 mi |
| Crystal | CDP | 1,114 | $41,806 | $597 | 12 mi |
| Lakeview | village | 1,030 | $33,631 | $496 | 11 mi |
| Sheridan | village | 746 | $59,063 | $800 | 8 mi |
| Trufant | CDP | 572 | $93,750 | n/a | 10 mi |
| McBride | village | 195 | $59,821 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Pierson | village | 119 | $41,875 | $900 | 18 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Montcalm County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 16% of the adult population. About 9% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Montcalm County | Michigan | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.4 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.0% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.5% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.9% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.9% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.6% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.0% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.2% |
| 60+ min | 12.0% |
Local borrowing considerations for Montcalm County
Based on the Montcalm County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Keeping the car running. At 26% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Montcalm County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- 14% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Montcalm County borrower sees (free reports).
Budget math at the Montcalm County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Montcalm County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $5,612 a month: gross income for a household at the Montcalm County median
- Rent at the median, $869, takes 15% of that
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,151 left for all other debt payments
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,544 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.
Michigan rules that apply in Montcalm County
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is the place to verify any lender's Michigan license. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. Statewide data and rules: Michigan guide.
Four steps for Montcalm County borrowers
A short checklist for Montcalm County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Michigan.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
More guides for Montcalm County
For statewide rules and data, see the Michigan guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Montcalm County earn?
The median is $67,344; 27% earn $100,000 or more and 24% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Montcalm County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $869 against $1,129 statewide, and 44% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Montcalm County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 11 Census places: Greenville, Howard City, Edmore, Stanton, Carson City.
Is the fit check different in Montcalm County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Montcalm County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Michigan it is the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.