10 Richest Counties in Michigan
- Livingston County
- Oakland County
- Ottawa County
- Leelanau County
- Washtenaw County
- Clinton County
- Kent County
- Barry County
- Allegan County
- Grand Traverse County
1. Livingston County
Livingston County is the richest county in Michigan. Located in southeast Michigan, Livingston County is within the Detroit metro area and is home to many affluent suburbs, including the cities of Brighton and Howell and several other civil townships. It has a total population of about 194,000 residents. Livingston County enjoys a central location with direct access to highways like I-96, US 23, and M-59, which offer a route to the nearby cities of Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Flint.
It’s considered a bedroom community with many top employers close by, including Tribar, PepsiCo, and Citizens Insurance. It’s also home to many affluent residents and features a median household income of $100,139 and a median home price of $364,404.
2. Oakland County
Oakland County is the second wealthiest county in Michigan. The county seat is shared between the cities of Pontiac and Waterford, although the largest city is Troy. Its population is over 1.2 million residents, making it the second-largest county in Michigan.
Oakland County is a major economic hub for the state. Industries like healthcare, automotive, and finance support its economy. Many notable employers have a presence in Oakland County, including Corewell Health, General Motors and UWM Holdings. So, it’s no surprise Oakland County is affluent and features a median income of $90,594 and a median home price of $331,688.
3. Ottawa County
Ottawa County is another one of the wealthiest counties in Michigan. Situated on the eastern edge of Michigan, it is within the Grand Rapids-Kenwood metro area, and the county seat is Grand Haven. The county is home to about 296,200 residents. It’s a fast-growing county with a robust economy based around sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. It has a median household income of $85,652 and a median home price of $341,666.
4. Leelanau County
Leelanau County is also one of the more affluent counties in Michigan. It’s situated on the Leelanau Peninsula in the Grand Traverse Bay of northwestern Michigan. Traverse City is partially within the county, and the largest community is in a suburb called Greilickville.
It’s a very rural community with a population of just over 22,000 and a population density of about 65 residents per square mile. However, it’s famous for its vineyards and gorgeous landscapes, which attract wealthy residents. The median household income is $82,345, and the median home price is $554,044.
5. Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County is also among the wealthiest in Michigan. The county seat and largest city is Ann Arbor, which is located in the southwestern portion of the state. Washtenaw County is home to about 372,000 residents. Ann Arbor is a major center for education, as well as related industries like high technology, health services, and bio-tech.
The University of Michigan is in Washtenaw County, along with Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, and Concordia University Ann Arbor, providing many high-paying jobs. The median household income is $79,665, while the median home price is $381,093.
6. Clinton County
Another one of the richest counties in Michigan is Clinton County. Positioned in the center of Michigan, Clinton County is in the Lansing-East Lansing metro area. It has a total population of just under 80,000 residents. The economy of Lansing and Clinton County is primarily centered around industries like government, education, automotive, insurance, and healthcare, with top employers including The University of Michigan, General Motors, and Sparrow Health Systems. With so many job opportunities, it’s no wonder Clinton County has a median income of $78,702 and a median home price of $272,773.
7. Kent County
Kent County is another one of the richest counties in Michigan. It’s located in Western Michigan within the Grand Rapids-Kentwood metro area and serves as a major manufacturing sector for the region. It has a population of around 658,000 residents. Many top corporations have headquarters in Kent County such as Amway, Gordon Food Service, and Steelcase. Its strong economy attracts wealthy residents, and the median household income is $77,028, while the median home price is $310,311.
8. Barry County
Barry County is also among the richest counties in Michigan. Located in southwestern Michigan, it is home to just over 62,000 residents, and the county seat is Hastings. It’s a peaceful suburban and rural county between Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo that offers low crime and affordable living. It has a median household income of $75,182 and a median home price of $257,248.
9. Allegan County
Allegan County is another one of the wealthiest counties in Michigan. Situated on the southwestern edge of the state, Allegan County comprises the Holland metro area, which is within the Grand Rapids-Kentwood metro area. It’s mostly an agricultural community that is beginning to go through urbanization with the expansion of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. The population is just over 120,000, and the median household income is $75,901. The median home price is $295,403.
10. Grand Traverse County
Grand Traverse County is also on the list of richest counties in Michigan. It's the largest county in Northern Michigan, with a population of 95,000. The county seat is Traverse City, and the county is a major part of the larger Traverse City metro area.
The county is known for its scenic beauty and abundance of outdoor recreation. It also has a strong economy supported by education, healthcare, and tourism. Major local employers include Munson Healthcare, Northwestern Michigan College, and Traverse City Public Schools. The median household income is $74,344, and the median home price is $383,566.