Population 15,077 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Arenac County
Household size in Arenac County
| Period | Arenac County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.33 | 2.58 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.37 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.29 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.29 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.04 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Arenac County is a place of small households, averaging 2.29 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has edged down from 2.33 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Households are largest in the west and smallest in the northeast.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Arenac County
| Period | Arenac County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.0 | 38.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 47.8 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 49.4 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.5 | 41.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.6 | +2.4 | +2.3 |
Arenac County skews older: half of its residents are older than 49.5, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 46.0, in line with the national trend.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Arenac County
| Period | Arenac County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.2% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.4% | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.3% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.9% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.9% of households in Arenac County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Compared with other Michigan counties, Arenac County has a lower share of single-parent households than most.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Arenac County
Renters in Arenac County
| Period | Arenac County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.3% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.4% | 28.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.2% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 13.8% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.6 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Arenac County is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 13.8% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 53.4% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 2.6 points, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Arenac County
| Period | Arenac County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.6% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 29.5% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 28.2% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 27.3% | 10.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Arenac County: 27.3% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Arenac County
| Period | Arenac County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1973 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1974 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1976 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +3 | +6 |
The typical home in Arenac County was built around 1977, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are newer than in Michigan overall, where the median home dates to 1972. The median year built has moved up from 1973 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the northeast.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Arenac County
| Period | Arenac County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $571 | $833 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $627 | $886 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $680 | $978 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $750 | $1,228 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$178 | +$395 | +$606 |
The median renter in Arenac County pays $750 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $178 a month from 2006–10, a 31% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 26.0% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the center and lowest in the east.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Arenac County
Bachelor's degrees in Arenac County
| Period | Arenac County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.8% | 26.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.5% | 27.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.5% | 29.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.1% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.3 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Arenac County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 16.1%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.3 points, mirroring the country. Only six of Michigan's 83 counties have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Arenac County
| Period | Arenac County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 81.7% | 88.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 84.8% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.5% | 90.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.3% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.6 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Arenac County have finished high school as nationally: 88.3%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Michigan overall (91.8%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 6.6 points, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Arenac County
| Period | Arenac County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.7% | 11.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.3% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.3% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.4 pts | −5.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs a little high in Arenac County: 6.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 6.4 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Arenac County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arenac County | 2.29 | 49.5 | 7.9% | 13.8% | 27.3% | 1977 | $750 | 16.1% | 88.3% | 6.3% |
| Gladwin County | 2.31 | 50.5 | 4.9% | 13.9% | 28.5% | 1980 | $817 | 17.1% | 88.8% | 6.7% |
| Clare County | 2.55 | 47.1 | 9.0% | 13.1% | 36.4% | 1976 | $757 | 13.3% | 88.1% | 9.1% |
| Osceola County | 2.44 | 43.9 | 10.0% | 16.3% | 23.8% | 1976 | $853 | 16.5% | 89.8% | 6.1% |
| Lake County | 2.33 | 49.0 | 9.9% | 18.0% | 52.4% | 1976 | $913 | 12.3% | 84.7% | 6.6% |
| Mason County | 2.29 | 47.7 | 8.9% | 21.7% | 23.5% | 1973 | $892 | 26.1% | 94.1% | 4.6% |
| Manitowoc County | 2.30 | 45.7 | 9.8% | 22.9% | 8.4% | 1965 | $829 | 22.7% | 92.1% | 2.6% |
| Calumet County | 2.51 | 42.3 | 7.8% | 19.9% | 5.9% | 1985 | $1,108 | 33.6% | 95.1% | 2.1% |
| Winnebago County | 2.34 | 39.9 | 8.8% | 34.2% | 7.4% | 1973 | $1,019 | 31.7% | 94.4% | 2.1% |
| Waushara County | 2.31 | 50.0 | 7.1% | 15.8% | 24.7% | 1977 | $806 | 17.5% | 89.7% | 4.1% |
| Adams County | 2.17 | 54.4 | 5.7% | 13.8% | 39.9% | 1983 | $1,073 | 17.5% | 89.6% | 5.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Lander County, NV · Ontonagon County, MI · Madison County, TX · Long County, GA · Los Alamos County, NM · Lowndes County, AL · Cassia County, ID · Cass County, IL · Luquillo Municipio, PR · Mackinac County, MI
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Arenac County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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