Counties in Michigan with the most pre-war homes

Written by:
June 22, 2022
Jcvertin // Wikimedia Commons

Counties in Michigan with the most pre-war homes

Pre-war homes—those built before 1939—are architectural gems. They are sturdy, charming, and often what people are referring to when they look at the prevalent colorless, linear designs of today and lament “they just don’t make them like they used to.”

In some ways, that’s a good thing. Pre-war homes often contained materials we know to be hazardous today, like asbestos and lead. But their signature characteristics, including hardwood floors, nickel accents, ornate crown molding, and high ceilings, are among the features many people look for in a dream home.

Preserving the history of these properties, many of which you’ll find on the National Register of Historic Places, is labor that often extends beyond the scope of an individual homeowner. Depending on where these homes are located, special permission by local historic commissions may be required before renovations can be done in an effort to preserve their historic architectural integrity.

Stacker compiled a list of counties in Michigan with the most pre-war homes using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest percent of homes that were built before 1939 based on 2020 5-year estimates.

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Modlind // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Baraga County

- Homes built before 1939: 17.7%
- Homes built since 2000: 12.2%
- Median year built: 1971
- Total homes: 5,314
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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Saginaw County

- Homes built before 1939: 17.9%
- Homes built since 2000: 7.9%
- Median year built: 1966
- Total homes: 87,789
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Lawrence G. Miller // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Van Buren County

- Homes built before 1939: 18.1%
- Homes built since 2000: 14.2%
- Median year built: 1974
- Total homes: 37,394
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Cass County

- Homes built before 1939: 18.4%
- Homes built since 2000: 15.8%
- Median year built: 1972
- Total homes: 26,406
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Manistee County

- Homes built before 1939: 18.5%
- Homes built since 2000: 10.6%
- Median year built: 1971
- Total homes: 15,866

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Adam Buzzo // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Allegan County

- Homes built before 1939: 18.6%
- Homes built since 2000: 19.7%
- Median year built: 1980
- Total homes: 51,551
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Charles Bash // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Huron County

- Homes built before 1939: 18.8%
- Homes built since 2000: 10.7%
- Median year built: 1968
- Total homes: 21,278
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Ryano913~commonswiki // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Barry County

- Homes built before 1939: 18.9%
- Homes built since 2000: 17.3%
- Median year built: 1975
- Total homes: 27,785
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Michigan Department of Natural Resources // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Sanilac County

- Homes built before 1939: 19.9%
- Homes built since 2000: 11.7%
- Median year built: 1971
- Total homes: 23,093
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PhotosByMahin // Pixabay

#21. Wayne County

- Homes built before 1939: 20.4%
- Homes built since 2000: 7.1%
- Median year built: 1956
- Total homes: 814,954

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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Tuscola County

- Homes built before 1939: 20.8%
- Homes built since 2000: 9.9%
- Median year built: 1970
- Total homes: 24,476
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daBinsi // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Shiawassee County

- Homes built before 1939: 20.8%
- Homes built since 2000: 9.1%
- Median year built: 1969
- Total homes: 30,246
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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Menominee County

- Homes built before 1939: 21.0%
- Homes built since 2000: 12.5%
- Median year built: 1970
- Total homes: 14,351
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Tony Webster // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Marquette County

- Homes built before 1939: 21.2%
- Homes built since 2000: 9.7%
- Median year built: 1968
- Total homes: 34,907
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Unknown author // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Gratiot County

- Homes built before 1939: 21.9%
- Homes built since 2000: 8.0%
- Median year built: 1964
- Total homes: 16,331

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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Branch County

- Homes built before 1939: 22.8%
- Homes built since 2000: 12.8%
- Median year built: 1970
- Total homes: 20,924
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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#14. St. Joseph County

- Homes built before 1939: 23.3%
- Homes built since 2000: 10.5%
- Median year built: 1970
- Total homes: 27,983
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Dwight Burdette // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Lenawee County

- Homes built before 1939: 23.5%
- Homes built since 2000: 12.4%
- Median year built: 1969
- Total homes: 43,894
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Dickinson County

- Homes built before 1939: 23.8%
- Homes built since 2000: 9.0%
- Median year built: 1968
- Total homes: 14,108
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Phillip L. Hofmeister // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Jackson County

- Homes built before 1939: 23.8%
- Homes built since 2000: 12.2%
- Median year built: 1965
- Total homes: 69,719

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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Bay County

- Homes built before 1939: 24.2%
- Homes built since 2000: 7.5%
- Median year built: 1961
- Total homes: 48,340
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Recomposemedia // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Delta County

- Homes built before 1939: 24.9%
- Homes built since 2000: 9.4%
- Median year built: 1968
- Total homes: 20,396
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battlecreekcvb // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Calhoun County

- Homes built before 1939: 25.0%
- Homes built since 2000: 8.9%
- Median year built: 1962
- Total homes: 60,889
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Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Hillsdale County

- Homes built before 1939: 27.0%
- Homes built since 2000: 11.8%
- Median year built: 1969
- Total homes: 22,055
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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Ionia County

- Homes built before 1939: 27.4%
- Homes built since 2000: 15.3%
- Median year built: 1972
- Total homes: 25,094

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Rklawton // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Iron County

- Homes built before 1939: 28.6%
- Homes built since 2000: 7.2%
- Median year built: 1962
- Total homes: 9,341
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RomanKahler // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Ontonagon County

- Homes built before 1939: 28.9%
- Homes built since 2000: 9.6%
- Median year built: 1962
- Total homes: 5,703
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Phoenix-Five // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Keweenaw County

- Homes built before 1939: 36.1%
- Homes built since 2000: 18.4%
- Median year built: 1962
- Total homes: 2,473
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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Gogebic County

- Homes built before 1939: 36.5%
- Homes built since 2000: 5.9%
- Median year built: 1955
- Total homes: 10,779
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Jcvertin // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Houghton County

- Homes built before 1939: 37.6%
- Homes built since 2000: 12.4%
- Median year built: 1960
- Total homes: 18,854

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