Ann Arbor
RANK #465 / 996 NAT · #34 / 36 MI · POP 370,231
1YR FORECAST: +0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Washtenaw County, Michigan, is distinguished by Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan, which anchors the county's identity. Located in southeast Michigan, it sits about 25 minutes from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, offering a blend of urban amenities and natural landscapes. The Huron River flows through towns like Dexter, Ann Arbor, and Ypsilanti, contributing to the area's outdoor recreation opportunities, including kayaking and hiking. Commuting within the county and to nearby cities like Detroit is facilitated by major roadways such as I-94, US-23, and M-14, alongside public transit options like TheRide, which serves Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and surrounding townships.
Life in Washtenaw County offers diverse community experiences, from the cultural activities in Ann Arbor to the smaller, walkable downtowns of towns like Chelsea, Dexter, and Saline. The county is known for its highly rated public schools, including Ann Arbor Public Schools and Washtenaw International High School, making it attractive to families. The economy has shifted from manufacturing towards automation, research, and healthcare, largely influenced by the University of Michigan and related technology companies. Recent economic developments include investments in data centers and energy sectors, alongside efforts to redevelop vacant properties into housing and commercial spaces.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.4x 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Stargate Michigan Campus (OpenAI, Oracle, Related Digital)
OpenAI, Oracle, Related Digital
|
$7,000M | Planned |
|
University of Michigan / Los Alamos National Laboratory High-Performance Computational Facility
University of Michigan, Los Alamos National Laboratory
|
$1,250M | Proposed |
|
Form8tion (Thor Equities) Data Center
Thor Equities (Form8tion unit)
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Voyager Energy Storage
Voyager Energy Storage (electricity to be purchased by Consumers Energy)
|
$400M | Planned |
|
Washtenaw Solar Project
Invenergy (to be transferred to Consumers Energy)
|
$150M | Proposed |
|
White Tail Solar Project
Ranger Power (to be transferred to Consumers Energy)
|
$130M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Washtenaw County scores 53/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#465). Median household income is $84,245 and job growth is running at +0.5%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Washtenaw County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $336,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,335/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Washtenaw County is losing population (-0.6% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (+0.5% employment change). Home values are +2.0% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
In significant numbers — 5.59% of Washtenaw 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.