Community Corner

These 10 MI Counties Are 'The Best' To Live In: New Rankings

Niche ranked the best counties to live in across Michigan, including factors like crime and public schools. See if yours is on the list.

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A view of Municipal Park in Rochester. Oakland County was named the best county to live in in Michigan, based on Niche's 2023 rankings of best places to live.
A view of Municipal Park in Rochester. Oakland County was named the best county to live in in Michigan, based on Niche's 2023 rankings of best places to live. (Kyle Will/Patch)

MICHIGAN — Finding the perfect place to live and raise a family in Michigan can be difficult, with so many factors to consider like schooling, activities for families, and the real estate market.

Neighborhood ranking site Niche released its 2023 list of the best counties to live in across the Wolverine state. Factors include public schools, housing, crime, the county’s diversity, available jobs, and commuting. Users on Niche’s website can also write their own reviews of a place they have lived.

Many of the towns are in the Lower Peninsula, with one Upper Peninsula making the list. And, a number of these counties are also top in Michigan for "Best Places to Raise a Family," which takes into account school quality, safety, affordability, and access to amenities for families.

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Here are the Niche rankings of the top 10 best counties to live in Michigan, and the score they got in certain factors. You can click on the link for each county to learn more about the Niche ranking:

10. Grand Traverse County

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  • Overall grade: A
  • Public schools: A
  • Good for families: A
  • Diversity: C+
  • Housing: B+
  • Jobs: B+

9. Houghton County

  • Overall grade: A
  • Public schools: A-
  • Good for families: A
  • Diversity: C+
  • Housing: A-
  • Jobs: B-

8. Midland County

  • Overall grade: A
  • Public schools: B+
  • Good for families: A
  • Diversity: C+
  • Housing: A-
  • Jobs: A-

7. Leelanau County

  • Overall grade: A
  • Public schools: A-
  • Good for families: A-
  • Diversity: C
  • Housing: A-
  • Jobs: A

6. Kalamazoo County

  • Overall grade: A
  • Public schools: A-
  • Good for families: A
  • Diversity: B+
  • Housing: B+
  • Jobs: B

5. Ingham County

  • Overall grade: A
  • Public schools: A-
  • Good for families: A
  • Diversity: A-
  • Housing: B
  • Jobs: B

4. Ottawa County

  • Overall grade: A+
  • Public schools: A
  • Good for families: A+
  • Diversity: B
  • Housing: A
  • Jobs: A

3. Kent County

  • Overall grade: A+
  • Public schools: A
  • Good for families: A+
  • Diversity: A-
  • Housing: A
  • Jobs: A-

2. Oakland County

  • Overall grade: A+
  • Public schools: A
  • Good for families: A+
  • Diversity: A-
  • Housing: A-
  • Jobs: A-

1. Washtenaw County

  • Overall grade: A+
  • Public schools: A+
  • Good for families: A+
  • Diversity: A-
  • Housing: B+
  • Jobs: A-

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