Macomb County 2026: Data Profile of Metro Detroit's Working-Class Suburb

Macomb County is one of the most closely watched counties in American politics, a bellwether of working-class suburban sentiment that has swung presidential elections. It is also the third-largest county in Michigan by population at 875,101 residents. The data tells the story of a county that sits in the middle of the economic spectrum — higher income than Wayne and Genesee, lower than Oakland and Livingston, with its own distinct character in the Metro Detroit landscape.

Explore the full data at Michigan Signals / Macomb County.

Income and Poverty

Macomb County's median household income of $73,929 (Census SAIPE 2023) places it fifth in the Michigan Signals group — above Kalamazoo, Genesee, Wayne, and Ingham, but below Oakland, Ottawa, Kent, Washtenaw, and Livingston. Its poverty rate of 10.6% is in the middle of the distribution, reflecting a county that contains both prosperous suburbs (Sterling Heights, Troy borders, Shelby Township) and communities under greater economic pressure (Mount Clemens, Roseville, Center Line).

The Auto Industry Connection

Macomb County's economic identity is tied to the auto industry more directly than most. It is home to Stellantis's Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, FCA's engineering center in Auburn Hills (just over the Oakland County line), and dozens of Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers. The county's manufacturing employment base creates a high-wage floor that supports median income — but it also creates vulnerability to auto cycle downturns that other counties don't face as directly.

Unemployment at 4.3% reflects this manufacturing dependence — higher than the West Michigan and Oakland County rates, similar to the state average.

Housing

Macomb home values of $270,421 (Zillow ZHVI, April 2026) reflect its working-class suburban identity. This is affordable relative to Oakland County ($369,608) directly to the west, making Macomb an attractive option for buyers priced out of higher-cost suburbs. The rent index of $1,397/month is near the middle of the Michigan Signals range.

Health

Macomb County's health data is largely consistent with its mid-range economic position. Obesity at 37.3% is on the higher end (tied with Wayne). Smoking at 15.4% and depression prevalence at 26.9% are slightly elevated relative to Oakland and Livingston. Primary care access at 91.4 practices per 100k is strong — the third-highest in Michigan Signals — reflecting the county's substantial healthcare infrastructure in communities like Troy, Sterling Heights, and Clinton Township.

Data Sources

• Census PEP (2023): Population. Census PEP
• Census SAIPE (2023): Income and poverty. Census SAIPE
• BLS LAUS: Unemployment. BLS LAUS
• Zillow ZHVI/ZORI (April 2026): Housing. Zillow Research data
• CDC PLACES (2024): Health metrics. CDC PLACES