1st Advantage MortgageIn Oscoda County, Michigan, the typical household earns $49,515 a year and the typical rent is $681. 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
- Oscoda County by the numbers
- Housing costs in Oscoda County
- How much Oscoda County households make
- Jobs and commutes in Oscoda County
- Oscoda County next to its neighbors
- Oscoda County towns compared
- Budget math at the Oscoda County median
- Borrowing situations common in Oscoda County
- Who lives in Oscoda County, in numbers
- Lender oversight for Oscoda County
- Four steps for Oscoda County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Oscoda County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Oscoda County's population at 8,425; only 77 of Michigan's 83 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 566 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 15 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 1 place in the county (0 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Mio, with about 1,474 residents, or 17% of the county. Because Oscoda County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Housing costs in Oscoda County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $681 in Oscoda County versus $1,129 statewide. 40% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 16% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $125,500, about 2.5 times the median household income. Owners occupy 87% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1974.
| Housing | Oscoda County | Michigan statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $681/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $125,500 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 87% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 14.9% | 5.0% | 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 much Oscoda County households make
Oscoda County households have a median income of $49,515 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 82nd of 83 in Michigan.
| Band | Oscoda County | Compared with Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.6% | +11.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 51.0% | +9.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 12.2% | -13.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.3% | -7.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 14% of Oscoda County households make $100,000 or more, and 35% make less than $35,000. 17.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.2%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.418 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Oscoda County median.
Jobs and commutes in Oscoda County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Oscoda County residents work in manufacturing and 17% in arts, lodging and food service. Compared with Michigan, the county leans toward arts, lodging and food service (17% against 8%). Averaged over the five survey years, 8.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 23% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 12% work from home.
| Sector | Oscoda County | Compared with Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 21.1% | +2.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 17.3% | +8.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 14.1% | -9.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.8% | -1.0 pts |
| Construction | 7.6% | +1.7 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.6% | +2.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Oscoda County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Oscoda County's, from 23 to 37 miles away. Income ranges from $49,756 in Montmorency County to $68,183 in Otsego County; all six of these neighbors top Oscoda County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oscoda County | - | $49,515 | $681/mo | 87% |
| Montmorency County, MI | 23 mi | $49,756 | $686/mo | 88% |
| Crawford County, MI | 24 mi | $60,392 | $862/mo | 80% |
| Ogemaw County, MI | 24 mi | $54,666 | $823/mo | 84% |
| Otsego County, MI | 32 mi | $68,183 | $1,008/mo | 77% |
| Roscommon County, MI | 34 mi | $55,246 | $816/mo | 85% |
| Alpena County, MI | 37 mi | $53,950 | $673/mo | 80% |
Oscoda County towns compared
Mio is the only Census place mainly inside Oscoda County, with about 1,474 of the county's 8,425 residents. Live in one of these Oscoda County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mio | CDP | 1,474 | $40,750 | $584 | 2 mi |
Budget math at the Oscoda County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Oscoda County's medians:
- $49,515 a year is $4,126 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $681 uses 17%
- With a 35% ceiling, about $763 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- Under a 45% cap, $1,857 total minus rent leaves $1,176
Two-income households and single earners in Oscoda County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Borrowing situations common in Oscoda County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Oscoda County borrowers.
- Uninsured care. 13% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Commuter costs. 23% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- 15% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Fixed incomes. Oscoda County's median age is 52.5. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
Who lives in Oscoda County, in numbers
Degree holders: 16% of adults over 25. 13.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Oscoda County | Michigan statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 52.5 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.6% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.1% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.0% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.5% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.1% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.2% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.0% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 21.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.3% |
| 60+ min | 11.5% |
Lender oversight for Oscoda County
Consumer lenders serving Oscoda County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Michigan that is the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Michigan guide.
Four steps for Oscoda County borrowers
Steps that save money for Oscoda County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Oscoda County-area credit union.
- A Michigan license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask a Oscoda County credit union about member loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Michigan guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oscoda County a high-income county?
Its $49,515 median ranks 82nd of 83 Michigan counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Oscoda County?
$681 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
Should Oscoda County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 87% of Oscoda County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Oscoda County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Mio.
Is the fit check different in Oscoda County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.