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Schoolcraft County

MI · Pop. 8,093 · Rural County

87/100Homestead Score

Schoolcraft County sits in Michigan across 1,172 square miles, home to 8,093 people at 6.9 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 $124,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.09% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 71.4°F and average winter lows of 12.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 30.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital is 6.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes.

Property Tax: 1.09%
Growing Season: 148 days
Broadband: 93.5%
Density: 6.9/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $124,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 6.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • At 6.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

Cons

  • A 148-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Average winter lows of 12.3°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

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

Homestead score
87/100
Median home price
$124k
Property tax
1.09%
Growing season
148 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
30.2"
Broadband
93.5%
Nearest hospital
Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, 6.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.09%
Median Household Income$57,708
Poverty Rate14.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$124K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season148 days
Annual Rainfall30.2 inches
Avg Summer High71.4°F
Avg Winter Low12.3°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Oats

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought2/10
Wildfire4/10
Tornado1/10
Flood3/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSchoolcraft Memorial Hospital (6.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage93.5%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate8.5%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Schoolcraft County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Schoolcraft County?
Schoolcraft County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 71.4°F, and average winter lows of 12.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, oats.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $124,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.09%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital is 6.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Schoolcraft 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.