67 / 100

Macomb County, MI

RANK #329 / 996  ·  POP 878,453  ·  MI

PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.4%

Macomb County combines solid growth with real affordability — a rare combination.

[01] Why Macomb County?

Bordering Detroit to its north, Macomb County, Michigan, offers a blend of suburban and rural living, with communities like Utica providing a small-town atmosphere alongside access to larger amenities. The county boasts 30 miles of Lake St. Clair shoreline, along with numerous rivers and streams, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water activities. Commuting throughout the county and to neighboring Detroit is facilitated by major roadways like I-94, I-696, M-59, and M-53, though traffic can be heavy during peak hours. Public transportation is available through the SMART bus system, offering fixed routes and on-demand services. The county also features extensive parks and trails for hiking and biking, including Stony Creek Metropark.

Life in Macomb County is characterized by a strong sense of community, with many residents remaining connected to their hometowns. Families are drawn to the area for its public schools, which are recognized for strong academic programs. The economy, historically rooted in the automotive and defense sectors, is expanding into emerging industries such as aerospace, automation, and robotics. This diversification, alongside ongoing investment in commercial and residential development, contributes to a growing job market. Macomb Community College also plays a role in the local economy by providing education and training for the workforce.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.3x

Below national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+1.0%

Well below national median

Home Prices
+3.4%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-1.2

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
13x

Below national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 4.3x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Macomb County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
878,453
-0.08% YoY
Median Household Income
$73,876
Median Home Value
$216,200
+3.44% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,124
Average Annual Pay
$71,046
+3.1% YoY
Employment
336,295
-0.9% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3417
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
2.87%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$261,000
Days on Market
42
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
2.5
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.4%
Near asking price
Sold Above List
29.1%
Listings w/ Price Drops
24.9%
Building Permits (2024)
1,317
Single-Family Permits
1,080

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

[05] Capital Investment

$1,032M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Prologis 32 Mile Technical Campus (Data Center)
Prologis
$750M Proposed
Four Cities Metro Pipeline Replacement
Consumers Energy
$182M Under Construction
Macomb Town Center (MTC) Mixed-Use Development
Macomb Township and Carlisle | Wortman Associates, Inc.
$100M Under Construction

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

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.0% 18 percentile
Population Growth -0.1% 26 percentile
Income Growth +8.9% 62 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.7% 83 percentile
Home Price Change +3.4% 76 percentile
Rent Growth +1.3% 24 percentile
Price/Rent 13x 52 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

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

Macomb County has a Boom Town Index score of 67/100, ranking #329 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.9% and a median household income of $73,876, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Macomb County affordable?

The median home value in Macomb County is $216,200 with median rent at $1,124/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3417, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Macomb County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.9%. Home values changed +3.4% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Macomb County?

Yes — 2.87% of Macomb County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Elko County, NV 77 Suffolk County, NY 77 Shawnee County, KS 77 Clinton County, MI 77 Grafton County, NH 77 Lancaster County, PA 77 Madison County, IN 77 Cumberland County, PA 77