Clare County, Michigan Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Clare County is located in Michigan with a total population of 31,109. It is the 48th most populous county out of 83 in Michigan. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Clare County is 48.3 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Clare County is $49,805. This is 30% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 37% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.1%. This is 62% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.5%. This is 47% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $117,400. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Clare County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 86.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 72.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Clare County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.2%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 5.7%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.

Education

13.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.2%.