Livingston County
MI · Pop. 195,143 · Mixed County
Livingston County sits in Michigan across 565 square miles, home to 195,143 people at 345.4 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $331,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.99%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 154-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.4°F and average winter lows of 17.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 31.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Saint Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital is 1.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 95.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Saint Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 4.9% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 154-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- At 345.4 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Livingston County, MI is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 49/100
- Median home price
- $331k
- Property tax
- 0.99%
- Growing season
- 154 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 31.9"
- Broadband
- 95.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Saint Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital, 1.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Livingston County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Livingston County?
- Livingston County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 154-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.4°F, and average winter lows of 17.3°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $331,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.99%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Saint Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital is 1.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Michigan Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Michigan
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The closest counties to Livingston County by distance, including across state lines.
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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