80 / 100

Clinton County, MI

DeWitt charter

RANK #198 / 996 NAT  ·  #22 / 36 MI  ·  POP 79,249

1YR FORECAST: +2.8%

5YR OUTLOOK: +32%

Our model projects Clinton County's housing market to grow +2.8% over the next year, significantly outpacing the national average.

[01] Why Clinton County?

St. Johns, the county seat of Clinton County, Michigan, is known as the "Mint Capital of the World" and hosts an annual Mint Day Festival. Located in the heart of Michigan, Clinton County offers a small-town atmosphere while remaining accessible to larger urban areas. Commuting to nearby cities like Lansing is possible, with Clinton Transit providing demand-response public transportation. The county features numerous parks and green spaces, including Sleepy Hollow State Park, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, hiking, and horseback riding.

Life in Clinton County often appeals to families and those seeking a more relaxed pace. The public school districts in the county are generally well-regarded, with some high schools receiving national recognition. The local economy is supported by ongoing investments in infrastructure and clean energy initiatives, including projects focused on renewable energy sources and water system upgrades. These developments contribute to the county's economic landscape without relying on a single industry.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
7.3x

Overvalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+1.5%

Below national median

Home Prices
+1.5%

Above national median

Climate & Terrain
-3.5

Harsh climate or flat terrain

Price/Rent
14x

Above national median (13x)

Housing looks overvalued at 7.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Top Employers

  1. 1
    Sparrow Clinton Hospital Healthcare
    500+
  2. 2
    Bath Community Schools Education
    100+
  3. 3
    Cedar Creek Hospital Healthcare
    79
  4. 4
    Clinton County Government Government
    74
  5. 5
    Walmart Retail
  6. 6
    Meijer Retail
  7. 7
    Lansing Community College Education
  8. 8
    Pioneer Enterprises Of Mi Ltd. Other
  9. 9
    Rite Aid Of Michigan Inc. Retail
  10. 10
    Huntington National Bank Finance

Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Clinton County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
79,249
+0.45% YoY
Median Household Income
$82,594
Median Home Value
$226,000
+1.48% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,022
Average Annual Pay
$53,866
+4.5% YoY
Employment
18,614
+0.2% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3655
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
5.55%
of pop. from another state
Bachelor's Degree+
32.2%
of residents (national avg: 33%)

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$334,000
Days on Market
52
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
2.5
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.7%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
29.2%
Listings w/ Price Drops
18.3%
Building Permits (2024)
154
Single-Family Permits
138

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Crime & Safety

B-
SAFETY
GRADE
Firearm Fatalities
10.1
per 100K · nat avg 14.8
Injury Deaths
57.1
per 100K · nat avg 76.3
vs National Average
based on homicide rate

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 →

[06] Air Quality

B
AIR QUALITY
GRADE
Median AQI (3yr)
37.7
Good
Good Air Days
89%
636 of 714 days
Unhealthy+ Days (3yr)
3
Sensitive groups affected
Primary Pollutant
Ozone
Ground-level ozone
Yearly Trend
2021
37
2022
38
2023
38
Median AQI · lower is better

Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →

[07] Capital Investment

$850M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Mid-Michigan Pipeline Replacement
Consumers Energy
$550M Completed
Walker Road Solar
ESA Solar
$150M Under Construction
BINGHAM Solar Project
National Grid Renewables
$150M Planned

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[08] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.5% 25 percentile
Population Growth +0.5% 50 percentile
Income Growth +8.4% 49 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.2% 37 percentile
Home Price Change +1.5% 52 percentile
Rent Growth +4.7% 76 percentile
Price/Rent 14x 42 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[09] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clinton County, MI a good place to move to?

Clinton County ranks #198 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 80/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $82,594 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.

Is Clinton County affordable?

By national standards, Clinton County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $226,000, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,022/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.

Is Clinton County growing or shrinking?

Population and employment in Clinton County are both close to flat — population +0.5% YoY and jobs +0.2%. Home values shifted +1.5% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.

Are people moving to Clinton County?

In significant numbers — 5.55% of Clinton County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.

[10] Similar Counties by Size & Score

Marquette County, MI 81 Monroe County, MI 79 Barry County, MI 78 Kent County, MI 83 Newaygo County, MI 83 Ingham County, MI 77 Hancock County, IN 80 Madison County, NY 80