Owosso
RANK #75 / 996 NAT · #10 / 36 MI · POP 68,124
1YR FORECAST: +4.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +37%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
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 →
| 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 ranks #75 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 92/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.1% and a median household income of $62,498 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Shiawassee County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $151,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.41 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $851/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Shiawassee County are hiring — job growth of +1.1% — but the population is close to flat (-0.1% YoY). Home values moved +4.6% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.42% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Shiawassee County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.