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Luce County

MI · Pop. 6,325 · Rural County

81/100Homestead Score

Luce County is a rural county in Michigan, spanning 899 square miles with 6,325 residents at a density of 7 people 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 $110,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.02% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 120-day growing season, average summer highs of 74°F and average winter lows of 9.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Helen Newberry Joy Hospital is 10.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 87.1% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.02%
Growing Season: 120 days
Broadband: 87.1%
Density: 7/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $110,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 10.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • At 7 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

Cons

  • A 120-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Average winter lows of 9.6°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

Luce County, MI is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
81/100
Median home price
$110k
Property tax
1.02%
Growing season
120 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
36.2"
Broadband
87.1%
Nearest hospital
Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, 10.9 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.02%
Median Household Income$54,338
Poverty Rate17.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$110K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season120 days
Annual Rainfall36.2 inches
Avg Summer High74°F
Avg Winter Low9.6°F
Top CropsHay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought2/10
Wildfire5/10
Tornado1/10
Flood2/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalHelen Newberry Joy Hospital (10.9 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage87.1%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate7.8%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Luce County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Luce County?
Luce County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 120-day growing season, average summer highs of 74°F, and average winter lows of 9.6°F. The established crops are hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $110,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.02%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 87.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Helen Newberry Joy Hospital is 10.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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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.