Gratiot County Community Profile

Gratiot County is the only county in Region G projected to see a slight decline in households through 2029. That’s worth paying attention to, not as a sign of failure, but as a signal. Communities lose people when people can’t find a reason to stay, and one of the most common reasons people leave is that they can’t find a home they can afford near the job they already have.

The median household income in Gratiot County is $59,822, among the higher in the region, but the housing market doesn’t reflect that earning power. Nearly 45% of renters are cost burdened, the second highest renter cost burden rate in Region G. The median gross rent of $757 stretches thin against incomes that should, in theory, make housing here manageable.

Gratiot County’s housing stock is among the oldest in the region. Nearly 58% of owner-occupied homes were built before 1970, tied with Bay County for the second highest share. With just 64 homes available for sale countywide and an availability rate of 0.6%, the choices are limited and the homes that do come to market move quickly.

Rental wait lists here total 120 households, with some waiting up to 18 months for government-subsidized housing.
Between now and 2029, Gratiot County needs 464 additional rental units and 1,456 additional for-sale homes. The full county profile breaks down those gaps by affordability level and shows what price points are most underserved.