Washtenaw County Michigan Residential Rent and Rental Statistics
The median monthly gross residential rent in Washtenaw County MI was $1,139 in 2019 according to the Census ACS survey.1 Average gross rent in Washtenaw County was $1,223 in 2019. The median rent more accurately depicts rental rates in the middle of the distribution of rents and is thus preferred in the analysis below. 2020 Washtenaw County median and average rent data will be released in September of 2021.
Data is also available below for Washtenaw County rental vacancy rates, Washtenaw County rent as a percent of median income and the fraction of renters in Washtenaw County.
Real Gross Rent in Washtenaw County Michigan (2019 dollars)2
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Median Gross Rent | $1,097 | +1.86% | +6.82% |
| Michigan Median Gross Rent | $888 | +1.25% | +3.62% |
| Washtenaw County MI Median Gross Rent | $1,139 | +0.26% | +9.10% |
Washtenaw County MI Real Gross Rent Trends
At $1,139, real median gross rent in Washtenaw County was at its highest level in 2019 since the series began in 2005. Average gross rent for Washtenaw County peaked in real terms in 2018 at $1,225 and is now $2 (0.16%) lower.
Real Gross Rent: Washtenaw County MI Median, Washtenaw County MI Average, Michigan Median, US Median
Real Gross Rent History for Washtenaw County
| Date | US Median |
Michigan Median |
Washtenaw County MI Median |
Washtenaw County MI Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $1,097 | $888 | $1,139 | $1,223 |
| 2018 | $1,077 | $877 | $1,136 | $1,225 |
| 2017 | $1,043 | $861 | $1,095 | $1,182 |
| 2016 | $1,027 | $857 | $1,044 | $1,144 |
| 2015 | $1,017 | $852 | $1,037 | $1,101 |
| 2014 | $986 | $832 | $1,036 | $1,097 |
| 2013 | $953 | $809 | $979 | $1,047 |
| 2012 | $940 | $796 | $980 | $1,057 |
| 2011 | $941 | $798 | $932 | $1,017 |
| 2010 | $955 | $816 | $938 | $1,037 |
| 2009 | $960 | $816 | $959 | $1,052 |
| 2007 | $927 | $802 | $972 | $1,036 |
| 2005 | $910 | $819 | $996 | $1,053 |
Washtenaw County Rental Vacancy Rate
The rental vacancy rate is the fraction of homes for rent that are not occupied.3 In 2019 the rental vacancy rate for Washtenaw County Michigan was 3.61% according to Census ACS data.
Rental Vacancy Rate in Washtenaw County Michigan
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 5.97% | -0.18% | +0.08% |
| Michigan | 5.56% | +0.74% | +0.15% |
| Washtenaw County MI | 3.61% | +0.15% | +0.98% |
Trends in Washtenaw County MI Rental Vacancy Rate
The rental vacancy rate in Washtenaw County peaked in 2005 at 12.93%. Since then it has fallen by 9.32% to 3.61%. Data records for this series originated in 2005. From a 2015 post peak low of 1.88%, the rental vacancy rate has increased by 1.73%.
Rental Vacancy Rate: Washtenaw County MI, Michigan, US
Historical Rental Vacancy Rate data for Washtenaw County
| Date | US | Michigan | Washtenaw County MI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5.97% | 5.56% | 3.61% |
| 2018 | 6.15% | 4.82% | 3.46% |
| 2017 | 6.18% | 4.87% | 5.12% |
| 2016 | 5.89% | 5.41% | 2.63% |
| 2015 | 5.85% | 5.19% | 1.88% |
| 2014 | 6.32% | 5.88% | 4.63% |
| 2013 | 6.49% | 6.04% | 3.03% |
| 2012 | 6.77% | 6.73% | 2.83% |
| 2011 | 7.40% | 7.72% | 4.15% |
| 2010 | 8.17% | 9.60% | 7.95% |
| 2009 | 8.43% | 9.48% | 7.53% |
| 2007 | 7.87% | 9.66% | 9.67% |
| 2005 | 7.74% | 10.09% | 12.93% |
Rent as a Fraction of Income
Using median household income data for Washtenaw County, we can calculate the fraction of income the median household would use to pay rent at the median monthly gross rent rate. For Washtenaw County, median monthly gross rent as a fraction of median household income was 17.85% in 2019 according to the ACS.
Washtenaw County Michigan Median Annual Rent as a Fraction of Median Household Income
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 20.03% | -0.47% | -0.40% |
| Michigan | 17.88% | -0.34% | -0.82% |
| Washtenaw County MI | 17.85% | -0.79% | -0.39% |
Trends in Washtenaw County MI Rent as a Fraction of Income
The fraction of median Washtenaw County household income required to pay median monthly gross rent peaked in 2012 (relative to the 2005 series origin) at 19.62%. Since then it has fallen by 1.77% to 17.85%.
Fraction of Income towards Rent: Washtenaw County MI, Michigan, US
Historical Data for Annual Rent as a Fraction of Income in Washtenaw County Michigan
| Date | US | Michigan | Washtenaw County MI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 20.03% | 17.88% | 17.85% |
| 2018 | 20.50% | 18.22% | 18.64% |
| 2017 | 20.13% | 18.25% | 18.13% |
| 2016 | 20.43% | 18.70% | 18.24% |
| 2015 | 20.63% | 18.86% | 18.94% |
| 2014 | 20.89% | 18.97% | 18.73% |
| 2013 | 20.78% | 19.09% | 18.71% |
| 2012 | 20.65% | 19.16% | 19.62% |
| 2011 | 20.70% | 19.29% | 18.29% |
| 2010 | 20.50% | 19.29% | 18.02% |
| 2009 | 20.12% | 18.99% | 18.48% |
| 2007 | 18.66% | 17.09% | 16.26% |
| 2005 | 18.89% | 17.07% | 17.88% |
Renter Fraction in Washtenaw County Michigan
You can calculate the renter fraction in Washtenaw County in at least two ways: by housing units or by population. I've gone with the housing units measure here. This measure looks at the number of renting households in Washtenaw County as a fraction of total Washtenaw County households. In 2019 37.51% of households were renters according to Census ACS data.
Washtenaw County Fraction of Renters by Household Units
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 35.89% | -0.16% | -0.99% |
| Michigan | 28.43% | -0.38% | -1.25% |
| Washtenaw County MI | 37.51% | -1.52% | -3.28% |
Trends in the Washtenaw County MI Renter Fraction
The Washtenaw County household renter fraction peaked in in 2012 at 41.36% and is now 3.85% below that level. The origin year for the series is 2005.
Fraction of Renting Households: Washtenaw County MI, Michigan, US
History of Washtenaw County Renter Fraction
| Date | US | Michigan | Washtenaw County MI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 35.89% | 28.43% | 37.51% |
| 2018 | 36.05% | 28.81% | 39.03% |
| 2017 | 36.13% | 28.67% | 38.25% |
| 2016 | 36.88% | 29.68% | 40.79% |
| 2015 | 36.97% | 29.58% | 41.32% |
| 2014 | 36.90% | 29.76% | 39.83% |
| 2013 | 36.50% | 29.45% | 40.59% |
| 2012 | 36.09% | 28.94% | 41.36% |
| 2011 | 35.42% | 28.26% | 40.07% |
| 2010 | 34.65% | 27.25% | 37.60% |
| 2009 | 34.13% | 26.81% | 38.31% |
| 2007 | 32.80% | 25.17% | 34.55% |
| 2005 | 33.10% | 25.33% | 36.74% |
1. Gross rent is defined as contract rent plus the estimated average monthly cost of utilities (electricity, gas, water, and sewer) and fuel (oil, coal, kerosene, wood, etc.). Because some rentals include utilities and others don't, gross rent is a way of normalizing the variability. ↩
2. Real dollars are calculated using the CPI-U less shelter series. ↩
3. The rental vacancy rate is computed by dividing the number of vacant units for rent by the sum of the renter-occupied units, vacant units that are for rent, and vacant units that have been rented but not yet occupied. ↩
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