County profile · Michigan
Kalkaska County, MI market data
How Kalkaska County compares with other counties for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 18,693
- +4.3% since 2020
- Households
- 7,789
- Median household income
- $68,578
- +46.2% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $188,900
- Jobs located here
- 4,285
- Highest market score
- 82
- Dentists and orthodontists, #52 of 1,886 scored counties
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in Kalkaska County by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of Kalkaska 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
Kalkaska County has an estimated 18,693 people and 7,789 households. Population estimates show Kalkaska County grew 4.3% from 2020 to 2025, faster than the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in Kalkaska County is $68,578, 15% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 46.2%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in Kalkaska County runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 113, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (54).
Of the business types scored in Kalkaska County, dentists and orthodontists (82), fast food and sandwich shops (78) and restaurants and cafes (78) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For dentists and orthodontists, that ranks #52 of 1,886 scored counties.
Kalkaska County is part of the Traverse City metro area. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for gas stations (2.4 times the U.S. rate) and lowest for sit-down restaurants (58% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in Kalkaska County
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares Kalkaska 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists and orthodontists | 82 | #52 of 1,886 | 5 | 6.4 | $2M | 203 | 3 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 78 | #160 of 2,222 | 6 | 7.7 | $4.5M | 147 | 8 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 78 | #170 of 2,405 | 44 | 56.5 | $612K | 165 | 20 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 76 | #210 of 2,405 | 20 | 25.7 | $1.3M | 203 | 10 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 75 | #167 of 2,385 | 17 | 21.8 | $411K | 193 | 4 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 75 | #208 of 2,394 | 29 | 37.2 | $344K | 226 | 13 |
| Hair salons | 74 | #179 of 2,339 | 11 | 14.1 | $635K | 147 | Under 3 |
| Insurance agencies | 67 | #541 of 2,272 | 5 | 6.4 | $2.7M | 214 | Under 3 |
| Pizza | 65 | #485 of 2,090 | 6 | 7.7 | $4.5M | 88 | 8 |
| Auto repair shops | 57 | #840 of 2,378 | 15 | 19.3 | $562K | 126 | 15 |
| Auto repair and car care | 55 | #959 of 2,401 | 27 | 34.7 | $312K | 116 | 20 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 53 | #879 of 2,176 | 11 | 14.1 | Index only | 169 | Under 3 |
| Real estate | 51 | #1,036 of 2,229 | 14 | 18.0 | Index only | 167 | Under 3 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 49 | #1,268 of 2,402 | 22 | 28.2 | $2M | 59 | 4 |
| Convenience stores | 44 | #1,344 of 2,261 | 10 | 12.8 | $4.4M | 56 | Under 3 |
| Grocery stores | 42 | #1,310 of 2,070 | 9 | 11.6 | $4.9M | 53 | 3 |
| Chiropractors | 37 | #1,108 of 1,490 | 8 | 10.3 | $1.2M | 52 | 3 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 37 | #1,365 of 1,771 | 8 | 10.3 | $1.1M | 65 | 9 |
| Gas stations | 35 | #1,808 of 2,358 | 20 | 25.7 | $1.1M | 46 | 11 |
| Pet businesses | 33 | #1,796 of 2,200 | 12 | 15.4 | $476K | 54 | Under 3 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 31 | #1,475 of 1,707 | 6 | 7.7 | $3.2M | 67 | 9 |
| Home repair trades | 30 | #1,843 of 2,057 | 12 | 15.4 | $1.6M | 66 | 16 |
| Veterinarians | 26 | #1,303 of 1,485 | 6 | 7.7 | $953K | 35 | Under 3 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 25 | #1,386 of 1,493 | 7 | 9.0 | $1.2M | 42 | 9 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.1 | $6.7M | 182 | Under 3 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.9 | $9M | 217 | Under 3 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.9 | $4.6M | 517 | Under 3 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.9 | $6.4M | 53 | 7 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.9 | $1.8M | 278 | Under 3 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.9 | $1.8M | 91 | Under 3 |
| Nail salons | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.9 | $2.3M | 139 | Under 3 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.9 | $1.9M | 75 | Under 3 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.9 | $1.9M | 42 | Under 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.9 | $6.4M | 76 | Under 3 |
| Spas and skin care | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.9 | $2.3M | 266 | Under 3 |
| Tire shops | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.9 | $2.8M | 112 | Under 3 |
| Car washes and detailing | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | $4.2M | Too few | 3 |
| Child care and preschools | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | $1.2M | Too few | 5 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | $6.8M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Funeral homes | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | $583K | Too few | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Optometrists and eye care | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | $5M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Collision repair and body shops | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $8.4M | Too few | 4 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $13.7M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $8.4M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $8.7M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $10M | Too few | 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 |
| Gyms | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Physical therapy | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | 4 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in Kalkaska 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 | $8.4M | $1,083 | 113 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $21.9M | $2,814 | 108 |
| Food away from home | $26.9M | $3,456 | 85 |
| Groceries | $44.3M | $5,694 | 90 |
| Personal care products and services | $7M | $896 | 89 |
| Child care and other personal services | $2.4M | $311 | 54 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $5.5M | $709 | 72 |
| Medical and dental services | $10M | $1,281 | 99 |
| Pets | $5.7M | $734 | 81 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $13.7M | $1,753 | 85 |
| Vehicle insurance | $13.4M | $1,725 | 88 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $19.2M | $2,466 | 82 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $8.7M | $1,116 | 79 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $101.1M | $12,983 | 78 |
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 Kalkaska County
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 18,693+4.3% since 2020
- Households
- 7,789
- Median age
- 44.2
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 88%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.0
- Land area
- 560 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 33
- Median household income
- $68,578+46.2% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $81,688
- Median home value
- $188,900
- Jobs located here
- 4,285
- Daytime population
- 15,796Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska County, MI growing?
Population estimates put Kalkaska County at 18,693 people in 2025, up 4.3% since 2020, faster than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 7,789 households. Median household income rose 46.2% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in Kalkaska County, MI spend?
Households in Kalkaska County spend about $101.1M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $44.3M on groceries and $26.9M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in Kalkaska County spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 113, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (54).
Which business types have the highest market scores in Kalkaska County, MI?
The highest Groundwork market scores in Kalkaska County are for dentists and orthodontists (82), fast food and sandwich shops (78) and restaurants and cafes (78). Kalkaska County ranks #52 of 1,886 scored counties for dentists and orthodontists.
How does Kalkaska County, MI compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in Kalkaska County is $68,578 a year, 15% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 4.3% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $188,900, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, Kalkaska County has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for gas stations (2.4 times the U.S. rate) and the fewest for sit-down restaurants (58% 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. 24 of the 56 business types have a score in Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska 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.