Manistee County
MI · Pop. 25,247 · Suburban County
Manistee County is a suburban county in Michigan, spanning 542 square miles with 25,247 residents at a density of 46.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, corn, haylage. The median home price is $167,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.09%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 78°F and average winter lows of 20.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 34.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital is 3.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 70.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $167,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low poverty rate of 11.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- A 144-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Broadband reaches only 70.6% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Manistee County, MI is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 70/100
- Median home price
- $167k
- Property tax
- 1.09%
- Growing season
- 144 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 34.7"
- Broadband
- 70.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital, 3.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Manistee County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Manistee County?
- Manistee County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 78°F, and average winter lows of 20.3°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $167,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.09%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 70.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital is 3.2 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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The closest counties to Manistee 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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