RANK #35 / 996 · POP 103,752 · MI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.6%
Bay County, Michigan, is distinguished by its position along the Saginaw Bay, an inlet of Lake Huron, offering 30 miles of shoreline and extensive water resources. Bay City, the county seat and largest community, sits on the Saginaw River, which flows into the bay. The county is located in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, approximately 90 miles north of Detroit. Commuting within Bay City averages under 20 minutes, shorter than the national average. Bay County provides access to outdoor recreation, including Bay City State Park with its beach and trails, Tobico Marsh, and the Saginaw Riverwalk.
Life in Bay County is characterized by a community-oriented atmosphere with a focus on outdoor activities. The public schools in Bay County are rated above average. Bay Metro Transit offers fixed-route bus services connecting Bay City, Essexville, Auburn, Linwood, Pinconning, and Midland, along with demand-response options. The economy, historically rooted in lumber and manufacturing, now includes diverse industries such as automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and tourism. Recent developments include new housing units in Bay City and investments expected to create hundreds of jobs.
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.5x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Bay County has a Boom Town Index score of 97/100, ranking #35 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.5% and a median household income of $57,887, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Bay County is $125,000 with median rent at $786/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4631, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.5%. Home values changed +6.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.17% of Bay County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.