Saginaw County, Michigan: commercial real estate data.
Saginaw County, Michigan had an estimated 187,714 residents on July 1, 2024, down 1.3 percent since the 2020 census base of 190,122, across 800 square miles. County output reached $11.01 bn in 2024, 4,092 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 289 7(a) approvals worth $96.6 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Saginaw County
How many people live in Saginaw County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024188,665
- Households77,958
- Average household size2.42
- Median household income$60,622
- Median age41.2
- Median gross rent$947 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$152,800
- Home value to household income2.5 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income18.7 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher24.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree8.8 percent
- Adults 25 and over131,086
- Population under 1840,264
- Share under 1821.3 percent
- Population 65 and over38,429
- Share 65 and over20.4 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64109,972
- Civilian labor force87,598
- Unemployment rate6.4 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over59.0 percent
- Rank by population among Michigan counties11th of 83
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included366th of 3,222
Saginaw County is the 11th largest of 83 Michigan counties by population. A median home costs 2.5 times median household income, which is affordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 21.3 percent against 20.4 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Saginaw County
Is Saginaw County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024187,714
- Census 2020 base population190,122
- Population change since the 2020 census base-1.27 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024-55
- Births, 20241,889
- Deaths, 20242,424
- Natural change, 2024-535
- Net domestic migration, 2024163
- Net international migration, 2024320
- Total net migration, 2024483
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-487
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents2279th of 3,144
The county has lost 1.27 percent of its population since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 by more than net migration added, so the population fell even though more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Saginaw County
Where are people moving to Saginaw County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving3,744
- People arriving, from those returns6,358
- Tax returns filed by households leaving3,918
- Net household movement-174
- Adjusted gross income arriving$187.0 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-37.7 m
- Average income of an arriving household$49,958
- Average income of a leaving household$57,366
- Largest single originBay County (493 households)
- Largest single destinationBay County (470 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay County | 493 | 815 | $24.8 m |
| Genesee County | 458 | 794 | $18.9 m |
| Midland County | 304 | 548 | $18.4 m |
| Tuscola County | 180 | 304 | $9.0 m |
| Oakland County | 129 | 209 | $8.0 m |
| Wayne County | 119 | 181 | $6.3 m |
| Shiawassee County | 89 | 165 | $4.0 m |
| Kent County | 86 | 158 | $4.1 m |
Households arriving report $7,408 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Bay County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Saginaw County
What is the Saginaw County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$11.01 bn
- County GDP, 2023$10.83 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20241.6 percent
- GDP change over five years26.3 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Michigan areas BEA publishes10th of 83
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes411th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$58,355
Output grew 1.6 percent in the latest year and 26.3 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Saginaw County
Employment by industry in Saginaw County
- Covered employment, annual average79,478
- Establishments reporting3,966
- Average annual pay$58,049
- Average weekly wage$1,116
- Health care and social assistance, employment14,629
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$65,313
- Retail trade, employment10,842
- Retail trade, average annual pay$36,815
- Manufacturing, employment10,729
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$82,362
- Accommodation and food services, employment8,057
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$22,768
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment5,214
- Construction, employment3,351
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 14,629 | 584 | $65,313 |
| Retail trade | 10,842 | 606 | $36,815 |
| Manufacturing | 10,729 | 185 | $82,362 |
| Accommodation and food services | 8,057 | 371 | $22,768 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 5,214 | 199 | $43,471 |
| Construction | 3,351 | 351 | $79,077 |
| Finance and insurance | 2,868 | 207 | $79,886 |
| Other services, except public administration | 2,539 | 382 | $38,531 |
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 14,629 jobs, 18.4 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Saginaw County
How many businesses are in Saginaw County?
- Establishments, all industries4,092
- Employment at those establishments77,361
- Annual payroll$4.13 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents21.7
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Saginaw County
Building permits in Saginaw County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024141
- Declared construction value permitted$37.2 m
- Single family units authorized121
- Multifamily units authorized20
- Multifamily share of units14.2 percent
- Average declared value per unit$264,160
- Units authorized per 1,000 households1.8
Single-family homes are 85.8 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Saginaw County
SBA loans in Saginaw County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded289
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$96.6 m
- Average 7(a) approval$334,310
- Median 7(a) approval$100,000
- 10th percentile approval$24,960
- 90th percentile approval$819,000
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)2,492
- Jobs per approval8.6
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active34
- Distinct industries receiving approvals118
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer17.6 percent
- Loans on real estate terms51
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter228
- Franchise loans22
- Franchise share of approvals7.6 percent
- Leading industry by approval countFull-Service Restaurants (20)
- Most active lenderThe Huntington National Bank (147)
- 504 approvals recorded52
- 504 gross approval dollars$35.2 m
- Average 504 approval$676,904
- Median 504 approval$427,000
- Distinct CDCs active5
- 504 jobs per approval17.8
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved26.3
- Most active CDCMichigan Certified Development Corporation (45)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$131.8 m
The average approval of $334,310 sits well above the median of $100,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 17.6 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Saginaw County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Saginaw County
Do SBA loans in Saginaw County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded51
- Paid in full50
- Charged off1
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans2.0 percent
- Status: Paid in full50
- Status: Exempt from disclosure195
- Status: Cancelled32
- Status: Charged off1
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed11
Of the 51 loans that have reached a final outcome, 2.0 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Saginaw County
SBA lending by place in Saginaw County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending20
- Saginaw, approvals192
- Frankenmuth, approvals19
- Chesaning, approvals18
- Bridgeport, approvals12
- St. Charles, approvals11
- Freeland, approvals8
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Saginaw | 192 | $67,457,300 |
| Frankenmuth | 19 | $4,188,000 |
| Chesaning | 18 | $7,874,800 |
| Bridgeport | 12 | $1,766,700 |
| St. Charles | 11 | $996,800 |
| Freeland | 8 | $766,300 |
| Birch Run | 7 | $6,095,900 |
| Merrill | 5 | $4,617,000 |
| 12 other borrower cities | 17 | $2,852,900 |
Saginaw accounts for 192 approvals against 19 in Frankenmuth. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Saginaw County
How large is Saginaw County?
- Land area800 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Michigan counties21st of 83
- Width, east to west33.9 mi
- Height, north to south30.4 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary6
- Residents per square mile of land236
- Establishments per square mile5.12
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Saginaw County
Flood risk in Saginaw County
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book26
- Of those, participating in the NFIP24
- NFIP participation rate92.3 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 7
- Communities carrying a CRS class3
- Radon levels in Saginaw County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/LZone 3
The EPA places Saginaw County in radon zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 7, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 92.3 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Saginaw County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Saginaw County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024188,665
- Households77,958
- Average household size2.42
- Median household income$60,622
- Median age41.2
Common questions
Saginaw County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Saginaw County, Michigan?
The Census Bureau estimates 187,714 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 188,665, in 77,958 households, ranking 11th of 83 Michigan counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Saginaw County's population growing?
The population has fallen 1.27 percent since the 2020 census base of 190,122, to 187,714 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 1,889 births against 2,424 deaths, with net migration of 483. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Saginaw County?
$60,622. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $152,800, which is 2.5 times income, and median gross rent is $947 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Saginaw County?
4,092 establishments, employing 77,361 people with an annual payroll of $4.13 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Saginaw County?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 14,629 jobs, 18.4 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 79,478 jobs at an average annual pay of $58,049, or $1,116 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Saginaw County?
289 7(a) approvals totaling $96.6 m since FY2020, across 34 lenders, with a median approval of $100,000, plus 52 504 approvals worth $35.2 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Saginaw County get paid back?
Of the 51 loans that have reached a final outcome, 50 were paid in full and 1 charged off, a charge-off rate of 2.0 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Saginaw County?
141 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $37.2 m. Multifamily was 14.2 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Saginaw County?
Zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Saginaw County come from?
The largest single origin is Bay County, with 493 households. Arriving households report an average income of $49,958 against $57,366 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Saginaw County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Saginaw County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Saginaw County
Cities and places in Saginaw.
15 Census places lie wholly or partly in Saginaw County. All 15 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saginaw | city | 43,536 | 192 | Wholly in this county |
| Freeland | CDP | 7,557 | 8 | Wholly in this county |
| Shields | CDP | 7,402 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Bridgeport | CDP | 6,884 | 12 | Wholly in this county |
| Buena Vista | CDP | 5,798 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Frankenmuth | city | 5,157 | 19 | Wholly in this county |
| Chesaning | village | 2,484 | 18 | Wholly in this county |
| St. Charles | village | 1,934 | 11 | Wholly in this county |
| Zilwaukee | city | 1,609 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Hemlock | CDP | 1,529 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Birch Run | village | 1,439 | 7 | Wholly in this county |
| Burt | CDP | 1,339 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Merrill | village | 798 | 5 | Wholly in this county |
| Robin Glen-Indiantown | CDP | 660 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Oakley | village | 257 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
A further 13 of the county's 289 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Saginaw County, the largest being Reese (2), Montrose (2), New Lothrop (2). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby