1st Advantage MortgageIn Osceola County, Michigan, the typical household earns $58,267 a year and the typical rent is $807. 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
- Osceola County by the numbers
- Income in Osceola County compared with Michigan
- Employment and commuting in Osceola County
- Housing costs in Osceola County
- The communities that make up Osceola County
- Osceola County next to its neighbors
- Room for a loan payment in Osceola County
- Reading the Osceola County data as a borrower
- Who lives in Osceola County, in numbers
- Checking a lender's license in Michigan
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Osceola County by the numbers
Osceola County is home to about 23,227 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 62nd most populous of 83 county-level areas in Michigan. Spread over 566 square miles, that works out to roughly 41.0 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 6 Census places inside Osceola County, Reed City leads by population with about 2,517; 6 of the 6 are incorporated.
Income in Osceola County compared with Michigan
Osceola County households have a median income of $58,267 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 63rd of 83 in Michigan.
| Income band | Share in Osceola County | Difference from Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.9% | +3.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.6% | +8.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.8% | -6.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.7% | -5.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 24% of Osceola County households make $100,000 or more, and 27% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 15.8%, 3 points higher than the state's 13.2%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.430 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Employment and commuting in Osceola County
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 21%. Compared with Michigan, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (5% against 1%). Averaged over the five survey years, 6.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 13% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry | Share of Osceola County workers | vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.5% | -1.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 21.1% | +2.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.2% | +0.4 pts |
| Construction | 7.3% | +1.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.8% | -1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.6% | +0.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Osceola County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Housing costs in Osceola County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $807 in Osceola County versus $1,129 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 43% of renter households here. With a median value of $155,400, a typical Osceola County house costs 2.7 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 84% of homes.
| Cost | Osceola County | Michigan figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $807/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $155,400 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 84% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 17.8% | 5.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 26% | 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).
The communities that make up Osceola County
The table lists the 6 largest of 6 Census places in Osceola County, by population. Together all 6 hold about 5,530 people, so roughly 76% of residents live outside any named place. Reed City has the highest median household income on the list ($52,304) and Evart the lowest ($34,318), counting places with at least 500 residents. No Osceola County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reed City | city | 2,517 | $52,304 | $714 | 13 mi |
| Evart | city | 1,667 | $34,318 | $800 | 7 mi |
| Marion | village | 581 | $40,833 | $667 | 11 mi |
| Hersey | village | 360 | $60,500 | $950 | 12 mi |
| Tustin | village | 203 | $91,250 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Le Roy | village | 202 | $70,250 | n/a | 7 mi |
Osceola County next to its neighbors
Clare County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Isabella County, is 34 miles off. Missaukee County leads the group on income ($66,194), Clare County trails ($49,384), and Osceola County out-earns 3 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osceola County | - | $58,267 | $807/mo | 84% |
| Clare County, MI | 24 mi | $49,384 | $765/mo | 87% |
| Lake County, MI | 24 mi | $50,805 | $875/mo | 82% |
| Mecosta County, MI | 25 mi | $60,951 | $934/mo | 77% |
| Missaukee County, MI | 26 mi | $66,194 | $891/mo | 85% |
| Wexford County, MI | 26 mi | $61,085 | $897/mo | 81% |
| Isabella County, MI | 34 mi | $55,237 | $913/mo | 62% |
Room for a loan payment in Osceola County
Here is the Osceola County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $4,856 a month: gross income for a household at the Osceola County median
- 17% goes to median rent ($807)
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,281 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Osceola County's.
Reading the Osceola County data as a borrower
Based on the Osceola County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Mobile home upkeep. 18% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Osceola County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Who lives in Osceola County, in numbers
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 9.3%, against 4.9% for Michigan.
| Osceola County | Michigan | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.9 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.6% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.8% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.3% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.0% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.2% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.8% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.4% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Osceola County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.6% |
| 60+ min | 9.2% |
Checking a lender's license in Michigan
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Osceola County, check the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the Michigan state guide for the statewide picture.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Osceola County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Related local guides
The Michigan guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Osceola County?
$58,267 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $72,875 for Michigan. It ranks 63rd of 83 in the state.
How much is rent in Osceola County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $807 a month; 43% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Osceola County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 84% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Osceola County?
By population: Reed City, Evart, Marion, Hersey, Tustin. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Can Osceola 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.