RANK #382 / 1001 NAT · #25 / 36 MI · POP 50,792
1YR FORECAST: +4.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
Newaygo County, Michigan, is defined by its extensive natural resources, particularly the Muskegon River and over 230 natural lakes. The county is located in West Central Michigan's Lower Peninsula, approximately 35 to 45 miles north of Grand Rapids. This proximity allows for a manageable commute to a larger urban center while maintaining a rural community feel. Over half of the county lies within the Manistee National Forest, offering abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, biking, fishing for steelhead and salmon, and camping. The Dragon at Hardy Dam, a 45-mile trail around Hardy Pond, is a notable attraction for mountain biking and hiking.
Life in Newaygo County is characterized by a comfortable pace and a strong sense of community. The economy is supported by tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing, with Gerber Products Company in Fremont being a major employer. The county has seen recent economic developments, including expansions by companies like G-M Wood Products and community revitalization projects in towns such as Hesperia, which include new housing units. Educational opportunities are available through local public school districts like Newaygo Public Schools and the Newaygo County Promise Zone, which offers two years of free college education.
Newaygo 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 +7.6% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 15.9x — 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 62/100, Newaygo County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $63,304 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in MI.
Housing in Newaygo County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $186,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $904/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Newaygo County's population is growing — up +0.8% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.9%). Home values shifted +7.6% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 5.42% of Newaygo 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.
Home values climbed +7.6% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Newaygo County is now valued at $186,700. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.