Roscommon County
MI · Pop. 23,639 · Suburban County
Roscommon County is a suburban county in Michigan, spanning 520 square miles with 23,639 residents at a density of 45.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage. The median home price is $148,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.05%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 120-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.4°F and average winter lows of 12.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 28.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Midmichigan Medical Center - West Branch is 18.9 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $148,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 92.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A median household income of $54,106 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 120-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- The nearest hospital, Midmichigan Medical Center - West Branch, is 18.9 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 12.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Roscommon County, MI is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 47/100
- Median home price
- $148k
- Property tax
- 1.05%
- Growing season
- 120 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 28.8"
- Broadband
- 92.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Midmichigan Medical Center - West Branch, 18.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Roscommon County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Roscommon County?
- Roscommon County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 120-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.4°F, and average winter lows of 12.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $148,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.05%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Midmichigan Medical Center - West Branch is 18.9 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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 Roscommon 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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