County profile · Michigan
Arenac County, MI market data
How Arenac County compares with other counties for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 15,068
- +0.5% since 2020
- Households
- 6,552
- Median household income
- $58,811
- +39.1% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $150,600
- Jobs located here
- 3,742
- Highest market score
- 67
- Salons, barbers and spas, #362 of 2,385 scored counties
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in Arenac County by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of Arenac County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
Arenac County has an estimated 15,068 people and 6,552 households. Population estimates put the population change in Arenac County from 2020 to 2025 at +0.5%, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in Arenac County is $58,811, 27% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 39.1%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in Arenac County runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 108, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (50).
Of the business types scored in Arenac County, salons, barbers and spas (67); dentists and orthodontists (66); and real estate businesses (65) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For salons, barbers and spas, that ranks #362 of 2,385 scored counties.
Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for grocery stores (2.7 times the U.S. rate) and lowest for sit-down restaurants (43% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in Arenac County
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares Arenac County with other counties for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among counties | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salons, barbers and spas | 67 | #362 of 2,385 | 9 | 13.7 | $623K | 293 | Under 3 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 66 | #380 of 1,886 | 5 | 7.6 | $1.6M | 163 | 3 |
| Real estate | 65 | #362 of 2,229 | 5 | 7.6 | Index only | 379 | 3 |
| Hair salons | 63 | #521 of 2,339 | 8 | 12.2 | $701K | 163 | Under 3 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 62 | #613 of 2,210 | 5 | 7.6 | $2.2M | 253 | Under 3 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 60 | #733 of 2,405 | 23 | 35.1 | $934K | 141 | 8 |
| Home repair trades | 56 | #737 of 2,057 | 6 | 9.2 | $2.6M | 107 | 5 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 54 | #807 of 2,176 | 5 | 7.6 | Index only | 301 | Under 3 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 50 | #1,168 of 2,394 | 36 | 54.9 | $223K | 146 | 17 |
| Insurance agencies | 48 | #1,163 of 2,272 | 5 | 7.6 | $2.2M | 172 | 7 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 43 | #1,485 of 2,405 | 55 | 83.9 | $391K | 105 | 26 |
| Auto repair shops | 40 | #1,641 of 2,378 | 15 | 22.9 | $452K | 102 | 11 |
| Auto repair and car care | 40 | #1,654 of 2,401 | 26 | 39.7 | $260K | 97 | 13 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 39 | #1,507 of 2,088 | 7 | 10.7 | $609K | 92 | Under 3 |
| Pet businesses | 35 | #1,710 of 2,200 | 7 | 10.7 | $656K | 75 | Under 3 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 29 | #1,871 of 2,222 | 10 | 15.3 | $2.1M | 70 | 13 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 28 | #1,670 of 1,889 | 6 | 9.2 | $3.6M | 86 | 5 |
| Convenience stores | 26 | #1,910 of 2,261 | 10 | 15.3 | $3.6M | 46 | Under 3 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 23 | #2,159 of 2,402 | 29 | 44.3 | $1.2M | 37 | 5 |
| Gas stations | 17 | #2,263 of 2,358 | 18 | 27.5 | $978K | 41 | 13 |
| Grocery stores | 15 | #1,964 of 2,070 | 12 | 18.3 | $3M | 32 | 5 |
| Gyms | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 6.1 | $1.1M | 82 | Under 3 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 6.1 | $1.8M | 106 | 7 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 6.1 | $1.1M | 45 | Under 3 |
| Pizza | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 6.1 | $5.4M | 106 | 13 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.6 | $7.2M | 193 | 5 |
| HVAC and plumbing | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.6 | $5.2M | 109 | 5 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.6 | $2.4M | 81 | 7 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.6 | $1.4M | 70 | Under 3 |
| Physical therapy | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.6 | $2.7M | 111 | Under 3 |
| Child care and preschools | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 3.1 | $947K | Too few | 4 |
| Chiropractors | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 3.1 | $4M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 3.1 | $5.6M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Collision repair and body shops | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 3.1 | $3.4M | Too few | 3 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 3.1 | $7.8M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Funeral homes | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 3.1 | $567K | Too few | Under 3 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 3.1 | $5.6M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 3.1 | $4M | Too few | 14 |
| Tire shops | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 3.1 | $3.4M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Veterinarians | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 3.1 | $2.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Car washes and detailing | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | $6.8M | Too few | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | $7.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Optometrists and eye care | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | $8M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | $4.6M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | $15.6M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Spas and skin care | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | $5.6M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | $8M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Barbershops | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Nail salons | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in Arenac County
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $6.8M | $1,034 | 108 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $17.6M | $2,688 | 104 |
| Food away from home | $21.5M | $3,279 | 81 |
| Groceries | $36.2M | $5,526 | 87 |
| Personal care products and services | $5.6M | $856 | 85 |
| Child care and other personal services | $1.9M | $289 | 50 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $4.3M | $651 | 66 |
| Medical and dental services | $8M | $1,226 | 95 |
| Pets | $4.6M | $701 | 77 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $11.1M | $1,701 | 83 |
| Vehicle insurance | $10.8M | $1,649 | 84 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $15.6M | $2,375 | 79 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $7.1M | $1,082 | 77 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $82.1M | $12,538 | 75 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in Arenac County
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 15,068+0.5% since 2020
- Households
- 6,552
- Median age
- 49.3
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 86%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.9
- Land area
- 363 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 42
- Median household income
- $58,811+39.1% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $72,218
- Median home value
- $150,600
- Jobs located here
- 3,742
- Daytime population
- 13,326Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in Arenac County?
These figures cover the whole county. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of Arenac County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
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Questions
How fast is Arenac County, MI growing?
Population estimates put Arenac County at 15,068 people in 2025, up 0.5% since 2020, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 6,552 households. Median household income rose 39.1% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in Arenac County, MI spend?
Households in Arenac County spend about $82.1M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $36.2M on groceries and $21.5M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in Arenac County spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 108, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (50).
Which business types have the highest market scores in Arenac County, MI?
The highest Groundwork market scores in Arenac County are for salons, barbers and spas (67); dentists and orthodontists (66); and real estate businesses (65). Arenac County ranks #362 of 2,385 scored counties for salons, barbers and spas.
How does Arenac County, MI compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in Arenac County is $58,811 a year, 27% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 0.5% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $150,600, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, Arenac County has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for grocery stores (2.7 times the U.S. rate) and the fewest for sit-down restaurants (43% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 21 of the 56 business types have a score in Arenac County, each ranked against other counties.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in Arenac County. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in Arenac County?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of Arenac County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.