Best counties to live in Michigan

Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

Best counties to live in Michigan

What makes a particular county the best? Oftentimes, it's a good mix of opportunities for fun outdoor activities and cultural attractions. Throw in some historical sites, good schools, job opportunities, and affordable housing, and the county will most likely have happy residents.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Michigan using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by a variety of factors including: public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Many counties on the list are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or home values. Others are adored for their historic or well-designed value, or devotion to cultural opportunities. Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

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NOAA Great Lakes Envorinmental Ressearch Laboritory // Flickr

#25. Muskegon County

- Population: 173,297
- Median home value: $117,900 (75% own)
- Median rent: $760 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $50,854

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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Isabella County

- Population: 70,688
- Median home value: $134,900 (62% own)
- Median rent: $736 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $45,116

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Adam Buzzo // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Allegan County

- Population: 116,143
- Median home value: $165,400 (83% own)
- Median rent: $814 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $62,965

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Jeffness // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Mackinac County

- Population: 10,780
- Median home value: $136,600 (72% own)
- Median rent: $602 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $47,938

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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Saginaw County

- Population: 191,821
- Median home value: $101,300 (71% own)
- Median rent: $780 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $48,000

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SBarnes // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Eaton County

- Population: 109,456
- Median home value: $155,000 (72% own)
- Median rent: $858 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $64,348

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US Army Corps of Engineer // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Benzie County

- Population: 17,615
- Median home value: $185,500 (90% own)
- Median rent: $702 (10% rent)
- Median household income: $57,974

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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Macomb County

- Population: 870,325
- Median home value: $166,800 (73% own)
- Median rent: $962 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $62,855

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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Clinton County

- Population: 78,389
- Median home value: $172,800 (80% own)
- Median rent: $839 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $70,390

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Russell Sekeet (amtrak_russ) // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Berrien County

- Population: 154,133
- Median home value: $150,700 (71% own)
- Median rent: $743 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $50,795

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User:My name // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Charlevoix County

- Population: 26,188
- Median home value: $166,300 (81% own)
- Median rent: $694 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $55,760

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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Emmet County

- Population: 33,104
- Median home value: $186,900 (73% own)
- Median rent: $818 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $55,829

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Joshuay04 // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Livingston County

- Population: 189,754
- Median home value: $247,100 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,053 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $84,221

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Tony Webster // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Marquette County

- Population: 66,686
- Median home value: $153,400 (71% own)
- Median rent: $738 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $53,970

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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Dickinson County

- Population: 25,439
- Median home value: $101,800 (77% own)
- Median rent: $665 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $51,645

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Jcvertin // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Houghton County

- Population: 36,070
- Median home value: $108,700 (67% own)
- Median rent: $640 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $43,183

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stanthejeep // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Grand Traverse County

- Population: 92,181
- Median home value: $212,500 (76% own)
- Median rent: $951 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $63,575

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Alexey Stiop // Shutterstock

#8. Leelanau County

- Population: 21,652
- Median home value: $268,400 (88% own)
- Median rent: $959 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $65,249

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O. David Redwine // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Midland County

- Population: 83,355
- Median home value: $141,700 (77% own)
- Median rent: $777 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $62,625

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Bryan Robb // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Ingham County

- Population: 290,587
- Median home value: $135,600 (58% own)
- Median rent: $877 (42% rent)
- Median household income: $52,872

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Mxobe // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Kalamazoo County

- Population: 262,745
- Median home value: $159,300 (64% own)
- Median rent: $812 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $56,511

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Grguy2011 // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Kent County

- Population: 648,121
- Median home value: $173,700 (70% own)
- Median rent: $899 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $63,053

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Gpwitteveen // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Ottawa County

- Population: 286,558
- Median home value: $191,800 (78% own)
- Median rent: $898 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $69,314

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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Oakland County

- Population: 1,253,185
- Median home value: $242,700 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,080 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $79,698

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Agnieszka Gaul // Shutterstock

#1. Washtenaw County

- Population: 367,000
- Median home value: $263,600 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,114 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $72,586

Best counties to live in Michigan