Isabella County, MI

County

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2024 Population

64,565

US Senator

Gary Peters

Democratic Party

US Senator

Elissa Slotkin

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

30.1

1.01% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

21.9%

5.44% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$55,237

2.75% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$170,400

3.21% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

31,758

0.417% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Isabella County, MI reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.7% of the residents in Isabella County, MI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Isabella County, MI are Central Michigan University (4,468 degrees awarded in 2023), M J Murphy Beauty College of Mount Pleasant (24 degrees), and Protege Academy (487083) (19 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Isabella County, MI was $170,400, and the homeownership rate was 61.8%.

Most people in Isabella County, MI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Isabella County, MI was 2 cars per household.

Isabella County, MI borders Clare County, MI, Gladwin County, MI, Gratiot County, MI, Mecosta County, MI, Midland County, MI, Montcalm County, MI, and Osceola County, MI.

United States Michigan Mount Pleasant, MI

Population & Diversity

Isabella County, MI is home to a population of 64.6k people, from which 97.7% are citizens. As of 2024, 3.28% of Isabella County, MI residents were born outside of the country (2.12k people).

In 2024, there were 21.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (53.6k people) in Isabella County, MI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.52k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 1.63k American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.7%

2024 Citizenship

98.1%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 97.7% of Isabella County, MI residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Isabella County, MI was 98.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Isabella County, MI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Isabella County, MI

White (Non-Hispanic)
53.6k ± 292
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
2.52k ± 289
American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
1.63k ± 182

5.08%

Hispanic Population

3.28k people

5.08% of the people in Isabella County, MI are hispanic (3.28k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Isabella County, MI as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Michigan.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
80,580 ± 6,941 people
India
77,204 ± 6,795 people
Iraq
54,457 ± 5,714 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Michigan was Mexico, the natal country of 80,580 Michigan residents, followed by India with 77,204 and Iraq with 54,457.

Foreign-Born Population

3.28%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

2.12k people

2.99%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

1.93k people

As of 2024, 3.28% of Isabella County, MI residents (2.12k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Isabella County, MI was 2.99%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Isabella County, MI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,029 ± 180
Gulf War (2001-)
712 ± 220
Gulf War (1990s)
415 ± 101

Isabella County, MI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.45 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Isabella County, MI.

Economy

The economy of Isabella County, MI employs 31.8k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Isabella County, MI were Educational Services (5,156 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (4,230 people), and Retail Trade (3,835 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($81,964), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($74,000), and Wholesale Trade ($63,182).

Employment

Occupations

31.8k

2024 Value

± 1,179

0.417%

1 Year growth

± 5.2%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Isabella County, MI grew at a rate of 0.417%, from 31.6k employees to 31.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Isabella County, MI, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,264 people), Management Occupations (3,137 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (2,986 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Isabella County, MI.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Michigan.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Michigan (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

31.8k

2024 Value

± 1,179

0.417%

1 Year growth

± 5.2%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Isabella County, MI grew at a rate of 0.417%, from 31.6k employees to 31.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Isabella County, MI, are Educational Services (5,156 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (4,230 people), and Retail Trade (3,835 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Isabella County, MI, though some of these residents may live in Isabella County, MI and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$41,031

Median earning men ± $2,699

$24,825

Median earning women ± $1,978

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($74,922), Wholesale Trade ($68,929), and Information ($64,500).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($48,750), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($43,741), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($35,523).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Michigan.

Y-Axis

2.16%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.37M people employed in Michigan. This represents a 2.16% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 23.6%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Michigan.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

94
Construction
93
Health Care and Social Assistance
91
Other Services (except Public Administration)

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$240k
Construction
$192k
Manufacturing
$136k
Accommodation and Food Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Michigan went to Donald J. Trump with 49.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.3%), followed by Jill Stein (0.788%).

Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin are the senators currently representing the state of Michigan. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Michigan is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Isabella County, MI. Showing the available data for Michigan.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49.7%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (48.3%)
Democratic Party
Jill Stein (0.788%)
Green Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Michigan went to Donald J. Trump with 49.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.3%), followed by Jill Stein (0.788%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Michigan for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Michigan

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Michigan.

Gary Peters

Senator from Michigan

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Elissa Slotkin

Senator from Michigan

Assumed office on January 3, 2025

Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin are the senators currently representing Michigan.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Michigan over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Isabella County, MI awarded 4,521 degrees. The student population of Isabella County, MI in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 5,767 male students and 8,847 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Isabella County, MI are White (3,228 and 77.5%), Black or African American (388 and 9.31%), Hispanic or Latino (201 and 4.82%), and Two or More Races (151 and 3.62%).

The largest universities in Isabella County, MI by number of degrees awarded are Central Michigan University (4,468 and 98.8%), M J Murphy Beauty College of Mount Pleasant (24 and 0.531%), and Protege Academy (487083) (19 and 0.42%).

The most popular majors in Isabella County, MI are General Business Administration & Management (271 and 5.99%), Information Technology (238 and 5.26%), and General Psychology (215 and 4.76%).

The median tuition cost in Isabella County, MI for a public four year colleges is $13,862 for in-state students and $13,862 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Isabella County, MI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 91%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 12.4%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 14,614 (39.5% men and 60.5% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 14,614 students enrolled in Isabella County, MI, 39.5% men and 60.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 9,786 records, of which 63.5% were women and 36.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Kinesiology & Exercise Science
122 degrees awarded
Community Organization & Advocacy
107 degrees awarded
General Psychology
215 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Isabella County, MI was Kinesiology & Exercise Science with 122 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Isabella County, MI according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Central Michigan University
4,468 degrees awarded
M J Murphy Beauty College of Mount Pleasant
24 degrees awarded
Protege Academy (487083)
19 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Central Michigan University with 4,468 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 1,742 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Isabella County, MI, which is 0.627 times less than the 2,779 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 3,228 degrees mean that there were 8.32 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 388 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($13,862) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($650) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Isabella County, MI was $170,400 in 2024, which is 0.512 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $165,100 to $170,400, a 3.21% increase. The homeownership rate in Isabella County, MI is 61.8%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Isabella County, MI have an average commute time of 19.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Isabella County, MI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 17.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Isabella County, MI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 6.05%.

Housing

Property

$170,400

Median Property Value 2024

±$3,660

$15,406

Median Property Taxes

±$665

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Isabella County, MI the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Isabella County, MI compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

61.8%

Homeownership

2024

62.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 61.8% of the housing units in Isabella County, MI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 61.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Isabella County, MI compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$55,237

Median Household Income

± $2,195

24.9k

Number of Households

± 955

In 2024, the median household income of the 24.9k households in Isabella County, MI grew to $55,237 from the previous year's value of $53,759.

The following chart displays the households in Isabella County, MI distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Isabella County, MI is from Michigan.

0.462

2023 Wage GINI in Michigan

0.466

2022 Wage GINI in Michigan

In 2023, the income inequality in Michigan was 0.462 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.92% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Michigan was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Michigan in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Michigan across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (73.9%)
Carpooled (9.69%)
Worked At Home (7.77%)

In 2024, 73.9% of workers in Isabella County, MI drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.69%) and those who worked at home (7.77%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

19.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Isabella County, MI have a shorter commute time (19.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.42% of the workforce in Isabella County, MI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Isabella County, MI compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Isabella County, MI distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Isabella County, MI have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 17.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Isabella County, MI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 6.05%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

21.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Isabella County, MI (13k out of 59.4k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Isabella County, MI is White, followed by Two Or More and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 16.3% of the children was living in poverty in Isabella County, MI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 8.5%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 252 in Isabella County, MI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 84.1 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

92.2% of the population of Isabella County, MI has health coverage, with 47.6% on employee plans, 17.4% on Medicaid, 11% on Medicare, 15.1% on non-group plans, and 1.15% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Isabella County, MI see 2,025 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,025 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1371 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 258 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,025 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Isabella County, MI

Primary care physicians in Isabella County, MI see an average of 2,025 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,025 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Isabella County, MI in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.1% under 18 years, 34.6% between 18 and 34 years, 30.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

7.75%

Uninsured

47.6%

Employer Coverage

17.4%

Medicaid

11%

Medicare

15.1%

Non-Group

1.15%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Isabella County, MI grew by 2.49% from 7.56% to 7.75%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Isabella County, MI changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 49.8 in Isabella County, MI.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Isabella County, MI.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 38.5% in Isabella County, MI.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Isabella County, MI.