1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Ogemaw County is $823 a month against a median household income of $54,666, about 18% of income (ACS 2020-24). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of Ogemaw County
- Ogemaw County at the extremes
- Income in Ogemaw County compared with Michigan
- Ogemaw County industries and commutes
- Renting and owning in Ogemaw County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Ogemaw County
- Ogemaw County, Roscommon County and other neighbors
- What the numbers mean for Ogemaw County borrowers
- Ogemaw County demographics against Michigan
- Debt-to-income, Ogemaw County edition
- Checklist for Ogemaw County applicants
- Lender oversight for Ogemaw County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Ogemaw County
Ogemaw County is home to about 20,885 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 64th most populous of 83 county-level areas in Michigan. It covers 564 square miles of land, or about 37 people per square mile. Ogemaw County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Largest place: Skidway Lake, about 3,008 residents (14% of Ogemaw County); 5 Census places in all.
Ogemaw County at the extremes
The 3 Ogemaw County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Michigan, and what each means for a borrower:
- Ogemaw County ranks 8th lowest of 83 Michigan counties for the share of households earning $100,000 or more: 21%, against 35% statewide. Most budgets here are modest, so keep payments small.
- Median household income: $54,666 in Ogemaw County. Only 9 of 83 Michigan counties are lower. Where incomes run low, free assistance and credit-union small-dollar loans deserve a look first.
- Ogemaw County ranks 13th lowest of 83 Michigan counties for the share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 17%, against 32% statewide. No degree is required for a personal loan; documented income is.
Income in Ogemaw County compared with Michigan
At $54,666, the typical Ogemaw County household income is 17% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 73 Michigan counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Ogemaw County | +/- vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.9% | +8.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.2% | +5.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.0% | -8.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.9% | -6.7 pts |
Six-figure households (21%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (32%) in Ogemaw County. The poverty rate is 16.7%, 3 points higher than the state's 13.2%. Gini index for Ogemaw County: 0.434. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Ogemaw County median.
Ogemaw County industries and commutes
The biggest employer of Ogemaw County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 26% of workers, followed by retail trade (16%). Relative to Michigan (11%), retail trade is 5 points bigger in Ogemaw County (16%). Averaged over the five survey years, 6.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 38% of Ogemaw County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 19% need 45 or more. Households without a car make up 5.7% of the total (7.0% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Ogemaw County workers | vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.5% | +2.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 15.8% | +5.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.3% | +1.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.2% | -8.1 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +2.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.4% | +1.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Ogemaw County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Renting and owning in Ogemaw County
Renters in Ogemaw County pay a median of $823 a month, 27% below the Michigan figure of $1,129. By the Census definition, 52% of Ogemaw County renters are cost-burdened. Median value $154,900; median income $54,666; ratio 2.8. The ownership rate is 84%. Median construction year: 1976. Against the median U.S. county, Ogemaw County rent is 6% below.
| Measure | Ogemaw County | Michigan | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $823/mo | $1,129/mo | 27% lower |
| Median home value | $154,900 | $231,600 | 33% lower |
| Owners | 84% | 73% | +10.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 50% | +1.8 pts |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 23% | +3.0 pts |
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). When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Cities, towns and CDPs in Ogemaw County
Here are the 5 most populous of the county's 5 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 30% of Ogemaw County residents live in one of the 5. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $25,179 in Rose City to $41,250 in West Branch. Median rent ranges from $699 in Skidway Lake to $842 in West Branch. Live in one of these Ogemaw County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skidway Lake | CDP | 3,008 | $39,265 | $699 | 10 mi |
| West Branch | city | 2,225 | $41,250 | $842 | 7 mi |
| Rose City | city | 575 | $25,179 | $712 | 6 mi |
| Prescott | village | 270 | $57,885 | $1,339 | 14 mi |
| Lupton | CDP | 206 | $60,208 | n/a | 8 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Ogemaw County, Roscommon County and other neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Ogemaw County's, from 24 to 37 miles away. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Ogemaw County; Crawford County is highest at $60,392 and Oscoda County lowest at $49,515.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ogemaw County | - | $54,666 | $823/mo | 84% |
| Roscommon County, MI | 24 mi | $55,246 | $816/mo | 85% |
| Oscoda County, MI | 24 mi | $49,515 | $681/mo | 87% |
| Gladwin County, MI | 27 mi | $55,349 | $690/mo | 86% |
| Arenac County, MI | 28 mi | $58,811 | $761/mo | 86% |
| Crawford County, MI | 34 mi | $60,392 | $862/mo | 80% |
| Iosco County, MI | 37 mi | $50,066 | $719/mo | 82% |
What the numbers mean for Ogemaw County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Ogemaw County borrowers.
- 19% long commutes. A Ogemaw County repair bill is often urgent; compare the shop's financing with a loan in writing.
- Retirement budgets. In a county with a 51.2 median age, keep any loan term shorter than your plans for the money.
- Renters under pressure. When 52% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Ogemaw County demographics against Michigan
17% of Ogemaw County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. Uninsured, Ogemaw County: 6.0%; Michigan: 4.9%.
| Residents | Ogemaw County | Difference from Michigan | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.2% | -15.2 pts | -5.0 pts |
| Median age | 51.2 | +11.0 yrs | +9.7 yrs |
| Work from home | 9.6% | -3.9 pts | +0.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 16.7% | +3.5 pts | +3.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 9.3% | +1.4 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | -1.3 pts | +0.3 pts |
| No health insurance | 6.0% | +1.1 pts | -1.8 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.2% | +0.5 pts | +1.8 pts |
| Minutes to work | Ogemaw County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.3% |
| 60+ min | 12.4% |
Debt-to-income, Ogemaw County edition
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Ogemaw County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,556 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $823 uses 18%
- With a 36% ceiling, about $817 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,136 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Checklist for Ogemaw County applicants
A short checklist for Ogemaw County borrowers:
- Price the Ogemaw County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Ogemaw County-area credit union.
- A Michigan license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Lender oversight for Ogemaw County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Ogemaw County borrowers answers to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Michigan: Michigan personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Michigan guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Ogemaw County household make?
About $54,666 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 25% below the Michigan median.
How does Ogemaw County rent compare with Michigan?
$823 locally versus $1,129 for the state, 27% below.
Is Lupton covered?
Yes. Lupton is one of 5 Census places in Ogemaw County, and this guide covers all of them.
Can Ogemaw 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 Ogemaw 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.