Skip to content

Osceola County

MI · Pop. 23,122 · Suburban County

60/100Homestead Score

Osceola County, Michigan covers 566 square miles with a population of 23,122 and a density of 40.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, haylage. The median home price is $140,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.06%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 134-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.3°F and average winter lows of 13.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 34 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital is 12.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 67.6% of homes.

Property Tax: 1.06%
Growing Season: 134 days
Broadband: 67.6%
Density: 40.9/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $140,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • A median household income of $57,050 anchors the local economy.
  • Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital provides the area's nearest hospital care, 12.9 miles away.

Cons

  • A 134-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Broadband reaches only 67.6% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
  • Average winter lows of 13.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Osceola County, MI is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
60/100
Median home price
$140k
Property tax
1.06%
Growing season
134 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
34"
Broadband
67.6%
Nearest hospital
Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital, 12.9 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.06%
Median Household Income$57,050
Poverty Rate15.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$140K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season134 days
Annual Rainfall34 inches
Avg Summer High77.3°F
Avg Winter Low13.3°F
Top CropsHay, Corn, Haylage

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought1/10
Wildfire3/10
Tornado4/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSpectrum Health Reed City Hospital (12.9 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage67.6%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate7.1%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Osceola County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Osceola County?
Osceola County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 134-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.3°F, and average winter lows of 13.3°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $140,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.06%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 67.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital is 12.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

Explore Michigan Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Osceola 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.