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Clinton County, MI

RANK #229 / 996  ·  POP 79,249  ·  MI

PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.9%

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

[01] Why Clinton County?

St. Johns, the county seat of Clinton County, Michigan, is known as the "Mint Capital of the World" and hosts an annual Mint Day Festival. Located in the heart of Michigan, Clinton County offers a small-town atmosphere while remaining accessible to larger urban areas. Commuting to nearby cities like Lansing is possible, with Clinton Transit providing demand-response public transportation. The county features numerous parks and green spaces, including Sleepy Hollow State Park, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, hiking, and horseback riding.

Life in Clinton County often appeals to families and those seeking a more relaxed pace. The public school districts in the county are generally well-regarded, with some high schools receiving national recognition. The local economy is supported by ongoing investments in infrastructure and clean energy initiatives, including projects focused on renewable energy sources and water system upgrades. These developments contribute to the county's economic landscape without relying on a single industry.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
7.3x

Overvalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+1.5%

Below national median

Home Prices
+1.5%

Above national median

Climate & Terrain
-3.5

Harsh climate or flat terrain

Price/Rent
14x

Above national median (13x)

Housing looks overvalued at 7.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Clinton County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
79,249
+0.45% YoY
Median Household Income
$82,594
Median Home Value
$226,000
+1.48% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,022
Average Annual Pay
$53,866
+4.5% YoY
Employment
18,614
+0.2% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3655
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
5.55%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$334,000
Days on Market
52
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
2.5
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.7%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
29.2%
Listings w/ Price Drops
18.3%
Building Permits (2024)
154
Single-Family Permits
138

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

[05] Capital Investment

$850M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Mid-Michigan Pipeline Replacement
Consumers Energy
$550M Completed
Walker Road Solar
ESA Solar
$150M Under Construction
BINGHAM Solar Project
National Grid Renewables
$150M Planned

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

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.5% 25 percentile
Population Growth +0.5% 50 percentile
Income Growth +8.4% 49 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.2% 37 percentile
Home Price Change +1.5% 52 percentile
Rent Growth +4.7% 76 percentile
Price/Rent 14x 42 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

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

Clinton County has a Boom Town Index score of 77/100, ranking #229 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.2% and a median household income of $82,594, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Clinton County affordable?

The median home value in Clinton County is $226,000 with median rent at $1,022/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3655, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Clinton County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.2%. Home values changed +1.5% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Clinton County?

Yes — 5.55% of Clinton County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

St. Louis County, MN 87 Delaware County, IN 87 Huron County, OH 87 Sandusky County, OH 87 Strafford County, NH 87 Sauk County, WI 87 Ocean County, NJ 87 Stark County, OH 87