Isabella County, Michigan Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Isabella County is located in Michigan with a total population of 64,475. It is the 31st most populous county out of 83 in Michigan. The county encompasses 2 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Isabella County is 29.8 years. This is 26% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Isabella County is $53,759. This is 24% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 32% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.2%. This is 77% 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 6.8%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $165,100. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $217,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 61.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 72.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Isabella County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.9%. The Black or African American population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Asian population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.

Education

30.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 92.0%.