RANK #455 / 1001 NAT · #26 / 36 MI · POP 121,456
1YR FORECAST: +2.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
Allegan County, Michigan, is known for its Lake Michigan shoreline and the popular tourist destinations of Saugatuck and Douglas, which draw visitors for their beaches and vibrant arts scenes. Located in the southwestern Lower Peninsula, the county is about 30 miles southwest of Grand Rapids and 20 miles northwest of Kalamazoo. The community offers a blend of rural landscapes, small cities, and lakefront areas. Commutes within Allegan County are generally shorter than the national average, around 20 minutes. The county also features extensive outdoor recreation opportunities, including the Allegan State Game Area, which offers trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling, along with numerous lakes and rivers for boating and fishing.
Life in Allegan County offers a balance of affordability and access to nature, appealing to families and those seeking a quieter lifestyle. Public schools in the county are generally above average. The economy is driven by a mix of sectors, including agriculture, which has a long history in the area with significant fruit and vegetable production. Manufacturing, particularly in biotechnology and other light industries, is also a key economic component, with companies like Perrigo being a major employer. Recent economic development efforts have focused on expanding manufacturing capacity and supporting technology and energy storage businesses. The county also benefits from a growing tourism sector, especially along its Lake Michigan coast.
Allegan County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +6.5% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
LG Energy Solution Michigan Expansion
LG Energy Solution
|
$1,700M | Under Construction |
|
Microsoft Data Center (Dorr Township)
Microsoft
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Blazing Star Solar Project
Apex Clean Energy
|
$125M | Planned |
|
Allegan County Broadband Project
Allegan County & 123NET
|
$65M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Allegan County scores 54/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#455). Median household income is $83,283 and job growth is running at +5.6%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Allegan County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $267,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $1,100/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Allegan County are hiring — job growth of +5.6% — but the population is close to flat (+0.5% YoY). Home values moved +6.5% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.18% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Allegan County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +6.5% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Allegan County is now valued at $267,100. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.