Shiawassee County
MI · Pop. 68,061 · Mixed County
Shiawassee County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Michigan, spanning 531 square miles with 68,061 residents at a density of 128.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $165,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.35%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 159-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.9°F and average winter lows of 17.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 32.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Memorial Healthcare is 4.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 82% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $165,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Memorial Healthcare, with an emergency room, is just 4.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low poverty rate of 11.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- A 159-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.35% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Shiawassee County, MI is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 56/100
- Median home price
- $165k
- Property tax
- 1.35%
- Growing season
- 159 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 32.3"
- Broadband
- 82%
- Nearest hospital
- Memorial Healthcare, 4.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Shiawassee County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Shiawassee County?
- Shiawassee County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 159-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.9°F, and average winter lows of 17.3°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $165,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.35%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 82% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Memorial Healthcare is 4.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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More counties in Michigan
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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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