1st Advantage MortgageIn Wexford County, Michigan, the typical household earns $61,085 a year and the typical rent is $897. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Michigan license first.
On this page
- Who lives in Wexford County
- What Wexford County households earn
- Rent, home values and ownership in Wexford County
- How Wexford County residents earn a living
- Places inside Wexford County
- Wexford County next to its neighbors
- Debt-to-income at Wexford County's medians
- Wexford County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Wexford County
- Four steps for Wexford County borrowers
- Licensing and complaints for Wexford County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Wexford County
With an estimated 34,077 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Wexford County ranks 46th of 83 in Michigan for population. Land area is 565 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 60 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 9 places in the county (5 incorporated, 4 census-designated); the largest is Cadillac, with about 10,445 residents, or 31% of the county.
What Wexford County households earn
At $61,085, the typical Wexford County household income is 7% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 52 Michigan counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Wexford County | Gap to Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.2% | +3.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.8% | +6.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.5% | -4.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.6% | -5.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 26% of Wexford County households make $100,000 or more, and 26% make less than $35,000. 13.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.2%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.435 here. For a borrower in Wexford 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.
Rent, home values and ownership in Wexford County
Renters in Wexford County pay a median of $897 a month, 21% below the Michigan figure of $1,129. By the Census definition, 52% of Wexford County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $170,400, or 2.8 years of median income. The ownership rate is 81%. Half the housing stock was built before 1979.
| Cost | Wexford County | Michigan figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $897/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $170,400 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.6% | 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). Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
How Wexford County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Wexford County residents work in education and health care and 21% in manufacturing. Manufacturing stands out: 21% of workers here, versus 18% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.3% in Wexford County. Long commutes are common here: 17% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 6.0% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Wexford County workers | vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.7% | -1.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 21.4% | +3.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.8% | +2.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.2% | -0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.2% | -3.1 pts |
| Construction | 6.3% | +0.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Wexford County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Places inside Wexford County
9 Census places fall mainly inside Wexford County; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 14,119 residents, leaving about 59% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $67,083 at the median in Buckley, $45,982 in Manton. Median rent ranges from $807 in Manton to $1,163 in Buckley. Live in one of these Wexford County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac | city | 10,445 | $51,773 | $842 | 9 mi |
| Manton | city | 1,511 | $45,982 | $807 | 10 mi |
| Buckley | village | 936 | $67,083 | $1,163 | 13 mi |
| Mesick | village | 423 | $41,094 | $1,063 | 9 mi |
| Wedgewood | CDP | 241 | $131,563 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Harrietta | village | 230 | $45,938 | $800 | 7 mi |
| Haring | CDP | 199 | $105,441 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Boon | CDP | 99 | $77,083 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Caberfae | CDP | 35 | $59,000 | n/a | 10 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Wexford County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Wexford County's, from 24 to 38 miles away. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Wexford County; Grand Traverse County is highest at $81,647 and Lake County lowest at $50,805.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wexford County | - | $61,085 | $897/mo | 81% |
| Missaukee County, MI | 24 mi | $66,194 | $891/mo | 85% |
| Lake County, MI | 26 mi | $50,805 | $875/mo | 82% |
| Osceola County, MI | 26 mi | $58,267 | $807/mo | 84% |
| Grand Traverse County, MI | 27 mi | $81,647 | $1,288/mo | 77% |
| Kalkaska County, MI | 34 mi | $68,578 | $853/mo | 88% |
| Manistee County, MI | 38 mi | $63,516 | $842/mo | 86% |
Debt-to-income at Wexford County's medians
Here is the Wexford County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $5,090 a month: gross income for a household at the Wexford County median
- Median rent: $897, or 18 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,292 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Wexford County households compared
21% of Wexford County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 6.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Wexford County | Michigan | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.2 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.3% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.0% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.7% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.0% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.1% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.9% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.3% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.8% |
| 60+ min | 7.0% |
Borrowing situations common in Wexford County
What the Wexford County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Mobile home upkeep. 14% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Renters under pressure. When 52% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Four steps for Wexford County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Wexford County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Licensing and complaints for Wexford County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Wexford County resident can confirm its license with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Michigan guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Michigan guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Wexford County household make?
About $61,085 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 16% below the Michigan median.
How much is rent in Wexford County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $897 a month; 52% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Wexford County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 81% of Wexford 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 Wexford County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Cadillac, Manton, Buckley, Mesick, Wedgewood and 4 more.
Is the fit check different in Wexford County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.