Crawford County
MI · Pop. 13,271 · Rural County
Crawford County sits in Michigan across 556 square miles, home to 13,271 people at 23.9 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay. A median home price of $150,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.09% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 108-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.5°F and average winter lows of 10.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 33.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital is 4.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 78.5% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $150,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 23.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 108-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Broadband reaches only 78.5% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Average winter lows of 10.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Crawford County, MI is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $150k
- Property tax
- 1.09%
- Growing season
- 108 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 33.6"
- Broadband
- 78.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital, 4.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Crawford County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Crawford County?
- Crawford County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 108-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.5°F, and average winter lows of 10.6°F. The established crops are hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $150,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.09%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 78.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital is 4.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Michigan Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Michigan
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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