1st Advantage MortgageAbout 81% of St. Clair County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $71,270. 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
- St. Clair County by the numbers
- Jobs and commutes in St. Clair County
- Income in St. Clair County compared with Michigan
- Housing costs in St. Clair County
- The counties around St. Clair County
- Places inside St. Clair County
- A St. Clair County household budget, worked through
- What the numbers mean for St. Clair County borrowers
- St. Clair County households compared
- Licensing and complaints for St. Clair County
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
St. Clair County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts St. Clair County's population at 160,221; only 12 of Michigan's 83 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 722 square miles, that is close to 222 residents for every square mile of land. It is one of the counties that make up the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 13 Census places inside St. Clair County, Port Huron leads by population with about 28,620; 10 of the 13 are incorporated.
Jobs and commutes in St. Clair County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed St. Clair County residents work in education and health care and 20% in manufacturing. Compared with Michigan, the county leans toward construction (8% against 6%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.7% in St. Clair County. 24% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home. Households without a car make up 5.9% of the total (7.0% statewide).
| Industry | Share of St. Clair County workers | vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.6% | -2.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 20.2% | +2.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.9% | +1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.6% | +0.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.0% | +2.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.2% | -3.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Income in St. Clair County compared with Michigan
Half of St. Clair County households take in less than $71,270 a year and half take in more, 2% below the Michigan median of $72,875.
| Band | St. Clair County | Compared with Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.4% | -0.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.2% | +2.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.3% | +0.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.1% | -2.4 pts |
About 22% of households earn under $35,000, while 33% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 11.3%, 2 points lower than the state's 13.2%. A household earning below the $71,270 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Housing costs in St. Clair County
A typical St. Clair County rental runs $1,029 a month including utilities, which is 9% below Michigan. By the Census definition, 55% of St. Clair County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $224,600, about 3.2 times the median household income. Owners occupy 81% of homes. Median construction year: 1975.
| St. Clair County | Michigan | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,029/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $224,600 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.5% | 5.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 12% | n/a |
Because most St. Clair 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. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
The counties around St. Clair County
Six nearby counties, 22 to 54 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $58,863 in Sanilac County to $97,760 in Oakland County; 3 of these neighbors top St. Clair County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Clair County | - | $71,270 | $1,029/mo | 81% |
| Macomb County, MI | 22 mi | $77,837 | $1,211/mo | 75% |
| Lapeer County, MI | 30 mi | $77,306 | $988/mo | 86% |
| Sanilac County, MI | 36 mi | $58,863 | $807/mo | 83% |
| Oakland County, MI | 41 mi | $97,760 | $1,376/mo | 73% |
| Genesee County, MI | 53 mi | $62,281 | $989/mo | 71% |
| Wayne County, MI | 54 mi | $60,539 | $1,132/mo | 65% |
Places inside St. Clair County
13 Census places fall mainly inside St. Clair County; the 13 biggest are below. They account for 69,484 residents, leaving about 57% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $50,366 in Port Huron to $83,208 in Pearl Beach. This guide covers each of the 13 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Huron | city | 28,620 | $50,366 | $982 | 13 mi |
| Marysville | city | 9,925 | $66,901 | $974 | 10 mi |
| Richmond | city | 5,855 | $64,719 | $864 | 9 mi |
| St. Clair | city | 5,585 | $69,688 | $1,113 | 11 mi |
| Pearl Beach | CDP | 4,506 | $83,208 | $1,054 | 21 mi |
| Algonac | city | 4,139 | $56,820 | $910 | 22 mi |
| Marine City | city | 4,028 | $67,683 | $944 | 17 mi |
| Yale | city | 2,129 | $53,236 | $857 | 15 mi |
| Capac | village | 1,970 | $60,329 | $772 | 14 mi |
| Memphis | city | 1,064 | $57,222 | $820 | 6 mi |
| Lakeport | CDP | 742 | $54,236 | $1,125 | 15 mi |
| Ruby | CDP | 714 | $69,077 | $1,105 | 8 mi |
| Emmett | village | 207 | $120,074 | $1,000 | 7 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
A St. Clair County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median St. Clair County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $71,270 a year is $5,939 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $1,029, which is 17% of it
- $1,109: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- $1,525: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
What the numbers mean for St. Clair County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for St. Clair County borrowers.
- Commuter costs. 24% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Tight rental budgets. With 55% of St. Clair County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
St. Clair County households compared
College graduates make up 20% of the adult population. About 5% go without health insurance.
| People and households | St. Clair County | Michigan | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.5 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.3% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.0% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.9% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.7% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.3% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.7% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | St. Clair County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.1% |
| 60+ min | 12.9% |
Licensing and complaints for St. Clair County
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is the place to verify any lender's Michigan license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Michigan state guide for the statewide picture.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for St. Clair County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one St. Clair County-area credit union.
- A Michigan license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask a St. Clair County credit union about member loans.
Related local guides
The Michigan guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in St. Clair County?
$71,270 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $72,875 for Michigan. It ranks 22nd of 83 in the state.
What do renters pay in St. Clair County?
$1,029 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
I own my home in St. Clair County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 81% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Port Huron?
Yes, along with the other 12 Census places in St. Clair County, such as Marysville, Richmond, St. Clair.
Is the fit check different in St. Clair County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.