Ontonagon County
MI · Pop. 5,870 · Rural County
Ontonagon County is a rural county in Michigan, spanning 1,311 square miles with 5,870 residents at a density of 4.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, oats. A median home price of $101,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.23% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 119-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.5°F and average winter lows of 10.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 33.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital, Inc is 2.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 76.2% of homes.
Pros
- A median home price of $101,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital, Inc, with an emergency room, is just 2.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 4.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- A 119-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Broadband reaches only 76.2% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Average winter lows of 10.4°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
Ontonagon County, MI is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 76/100
- Median home price
- $101k
- Property tax
- 1.23%
- Growing season
- 119 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 33.1"
- Broadband
- 76.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital, Inc, 2.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ontonagon County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ontonagon County?
- Ontonagon County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 119-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.5°F, and average winter lows of 10.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, oats.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $101,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.23%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 76.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital, Inc is 2.4 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 Ontonagon 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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