RANK #125 / 996 · POP 68,124 · MI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.6%
Shiawassee County, Michigan, distinguishes itself with Curwood Castle in Owosso, a unique landmark modeled after Norman chateaus and once home to adventure novelist James Oliver Curwood. Located in the heart of Michigan, the county is roughly halfway between Lansing and Flint. Its communities offer a relaxed pace of life, with the Shiawassee River, meaning "sparkling waters," winding through the area and providing opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. The county also features over 200 acres of parkland for outdoor recreation.
Life in Shiawassee County often appeals to families and individuals seeking a balance between rural charm and access to larger cities. Commute options include personal vehicles, with I-69 running through the county, and a reservation-based public transportation system, SATA, serving residents. The county has eight public school districts, including New Lothrop Area Public Schools and Laingsburg Community Schools. Recent economic developments show investment in manufacturing and efforts to support local entrepreneurs. The Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership focuses on growing existing companies and attracting new businesses, with a particular emphasis on workforce and real estate development, including housing in downtown Owosso.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.6x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Assembly Solar Farm (Phases I, II, and III)
D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) and Ranger Power
|
$450M | Completed |
|
Carland Wind Project
Apex Clean Energy
|
$315M | Proposed |
|
CORNELL - LAYTON 138.0kV Wind Project
Undisclosed
|
$250M | Planned |
|
Bell Solar-plus-Storage Project
Arevon
|
$170M | Planned |
|
Apple Blossom Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Innergex Renewable Energy
|
$100M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Shiawassee County has a Boom Town Index score of 88/100, ranking #125 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.1% and a median household income of $62,498, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Shiawassee County is $151,900 with median rent at $851/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4114, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.1%. Home values changed +4.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.42% of Shiawassee County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.