Population 18,310 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Benzie County: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Benzie County
Household size in Benzie County
| Period | Benzie County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.38 | 2.58 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.32 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.59 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.35 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.03 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Benzie County is a place of small households, averaging 2.35 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southeast.
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 Benzie County
| Period | Benzie County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.9 | 38.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 48.3 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 49.2 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 50.1 | 41.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.2 | +2.4 | +2.3 |
Benzie County skews older: half of its residents are older than 50.1, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 44.9 in 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Benzie County
| Period | Benzie County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.9% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.3% | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.2% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.2% of households in Benzie County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 0.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only four of Michigan's 83 counties have a lower share of single-parent households.
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 Benzie County
Renters in Benzie County
| Period | Benzie County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.1% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 15.4% | 28.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 10.3% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 12.2% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Benzie County is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 12.2% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 41.7% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 1.8 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 Benzie County
| Period | Benzie County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.3% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 34.2% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 39.1% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 30.1% | 10.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Benzie County: 30.1% 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. Vacancy is down 3.2 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Benzie County
| Period | Benzie County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1983 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1984 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +3 | +6 |
The housing in Benzie County is a little younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1984, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1981 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the west. Few Michigan counties have newer homes: only four of 83.
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 Benzie County
| Period | Benzie County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $856 | $833 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $820 | $886 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $782 | $978 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,053 | $1,228 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$197 | +$395 | +$606 |
The median renter in Benzie County pays $1,053 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $197 a month from 2006–10, a 23% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 29.5% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
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 Benzie County
Bachelor's degrees in Benzie County
| Period | Benzie County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.8% | 26.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.3% | 27.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.7% | 29.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 36.7% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +13.0 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
More than a third of adults 25 and older in Benzie County (36.7%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is higher than in Michigan overall (32.7%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 13.0 points, mirroring the country.
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 Benzie County
| Period | Benzie County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.7% | 88.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.8% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.1% | 90.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.0% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.4 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Benzie County is above the national rate: 94.0% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 4.4 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Benzie County
| Period | Benzie County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 11.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.4% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.4% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −8.4 pts | −5.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Benzie County than nationally: unemployment was 3.4%, against 5.4%. Only seven of Michigan's 83 counties have lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 8.4 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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).
Benzie 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benzie County | 2.35 | 50.1 | 6.2% | 12.2% | 30.1% | 1984 | $1,053 | 36.7% | 94.0% | 3.4% |
| Grand Traverse County | 2.39 | 44.2 | 9.3% | 22.8% | 12.5% | 1986 | $1,335 | 39.6% | 95.5% | 3.6% |
| Kalkaska County | 2.34 | 44.5 | 10.1% | 11.8% | 28.0% | 1981 | $945 | 18.7% | 90.5% | 4.0% |
| Crawford County | 2.15 | 49.9 | 10.0% | 20.4% | 31.4% | 1979 | $880 | 20.0% | 91.4% | 8.1% |
| Kewaunee County | 2.47 | 45.1 | 7.5% | 13.5% | 9.9% | 1970 | $877 | 22.1% | 94.5% | 1.5% |
| Oscoda County | 2.28 | 51.9 | 8.4% | 12.8% | 49.1% | 1974 | $798 | 15.7% | 85.6% | 8.1% |
| Alcona County | 1.95 | 58.8 | 6.6% | 10.4% | 43.9% | 1975 | $892 | 21.2% | 92.9% | 4.4% |
| Shawano County | 2.38 | 45.6 | 8.3% | 22.5% | 14.5% | 1975 | $883 | 19.4% | 93.4% | 2.6% |
| Clark County | 2.74 | 36.5 | 7.8% | 21.5% | 11.7% | 1971 | $846 | 12.8% | 81.8% | 3.7% |
| Eau Claire County | 2.35 | 37.2 | 8.0% | 39.0% | 5.4% | 1978 | $1,091 | 36.7% | 95.6% | 2.8% |
| Pepin County | 2.45 | 46.5 | 9.2% | 17.0% | 13.6% | 1972 | $892 | 22.8% | 93.9% | 3.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Guanica Municipio, PR · Emanuel County, GA · Sequatchie County, TN · Boone County, WV · Sevier County, UT · Seward County, KS · Shelby County, IL · Hampton County, SC · Sibley County, MN · Hale County, AL
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 Benzie 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.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.