Ranking of Michigan Counties By Poverty Rate in 2021 (ACS-5Yrs)

Updated on March 17, 2025.

Based on the US Census ACS-5Yrs estimates, in 2021, the Poverty Rate for Michigan was 13.3%. Among all Michigan counties, Isabella County had the highest poverty rate (23.78%), followed by Clare County (23.66%), and Wayne County (20.5%). On the other hand, the following 3 counties had the lowest poverty rate: Livingston County (5.09%), Leelanau County (6.43%), and Oakland County (7.57%).

The chart below shows the top 10 Michigan counties with high poverty rate, and the table below shows the ranking of all Michigan counties.

You can also see similar information for other states and for the United States.

Data Source: US Census Bureau.
Ranking of Michigan Counties By Poverty Rate in 2021
Isabella County
Clare County
Wayne County
Lake County
Mecosta County
Saginaw County
Chippewa County
Ingham County
Houghton County
Ogemaw County
Ranking of Michigan Counties By Poverty Rate in 2021
Items per page:
0 of 0
Rank County Poverty Rate (%)
1 Isabella County 23.78
2 Clare County 23.66
3 Wayne County 20.50
4 Lake County 19.42
5 Mecosta County 19.11
6 Saginaw County 17.98
7 Chippewa County 17.66
8 Ingham County 17.47
9 Houghton County 17.18
10 Ogemaw County 16.99
11 Genesee County 16.90
12 Roscommon County 16.77
13 Luce County 16.34
14 Montmorency County 16.28
15 Berrien County 15.94
16 Kalkaska County 15.91
17 Calhoun County 15.84
18 Alcona County 15.74
19 Newaygo County 15.44
20 Hillsdale County 15.40
21 Bay County 15.39
22 Schoolcraft County 15.37
23 Iron County 15.27
24 Mackinac County 15.26
25 Crawford County 15.22
25 Gratiot County 15.22
26 Marquette County 15.16
27 Gladwin County 15.15
28 Alpena County 14.91
29 Sanilac County 14.88
30 Mason County 14.80
31 Ontonagon County 14.72
32 Osceola County 14.57
33 Kalamazoo County 14.27
34 Arenac County 13.94
35 Iosco County 13.71
36 Van Buren County 13.69
37 Gogebic County 13.56
38 Baraga County 13.50
39 Washtenaw County 13.43
40 Tuscola County 13.30
41 Presque Isle County 13.09
42 Oceana County 13.04
42 Wexford County 13.04
43 Branch County 13.03
44 Muskegon County 12.97
45 Montcalm County 12.74
46 St. Joseph County 12.55
47 Cheboygan County 12.51
48 Oscoda County 12.43
49 Cass County 12.40
50 Delta County 12.35
51 Missaukee County 12.04
52 Jackson County 11.99
52 St. Clair County 11.99
53 Huron County 11.80
54 Monroe County 11.32
55 Alger County 11.18
56 Lenawee County 10.95
57 Manistee County 10.89
58 Shiawassee County 10.84
59 Otsego County 10.83
60 Midland County 10.68
61 Menominee County 10.59
62 Grand Traverse County 10.54
63 Kent County 10.45
64 Macomb County 10.28
65 Benzie County 10.01
66 Ionia County 9.99
67 Lapeer County 9.94
68 Antrim County 9.85
69 Keweenaw County 9.82
70 Dickinson County 9.39
71 Charlevoix County 9.00
72 Allegan County 8.90
73 Barry County 8.62
74 Clinton County 8.45
75 Eaton County 7.80
76 Emmet County 7.76
77 Ottawa County 7.62
78 Oakland County 7.57
79 Leelanau County 6.43
80 Livingston County 5.09