Houghton County, MI Property Records
Property records in Houghton, Michigan document ownership, legal descriptions, parcel boundaries, assessed values, property tax information, sales history, and recorded instruments such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. These records are useful for buyers, sellers, homeowners, researchers, lenders, and real estate professionals who need to verify ownership, review property history, estimate taxes, or confirm legal details before a transaction.
Official Houghton property records are maintained primarily at the county level. Recorded land documents can be accessed through the Houghton County Register of Deeds, while assessment and tax details may be available through local assessor or treasurer offices depending on the property’s location. Users can begin with the county’s official property records resources to learn how to search records, request copies, and confirm recording requirements.
Houghton County, MI Property Records & Statistics
Houghton County has a median rent of $775.50, below the Michigan median of $850 and the national median of $840.25. Renter-occupied housing makes up 16.48% of occupied homes, a little above the state figure of 14.56% but well under the national share of 21.81%, which points to a market where most residents own their homes.
The median home value is $126,100, lower than the state's $147,900 and the national $173,750. Property taxes are a heavier burden than elsewhere, though: the county's median property tax rate of 1.2% exceeds the Michigan rate of 1.13% and is well above the national rate of 0.74%. Owners here buy at modest prices but pay a larger share of value each year in taxes.
The median household income is $52,500, compared with $59,874 in Michigan and $65,108 nationally, so typical earnings trail both benchmarks. The unemployment rate of 3.47% is also higher than the state's 2.94% and the national 2.87%, suggesting a somewhat softer local job market.
Overall, the figures describe an affordable county with lower rents and home values than the state, offset by higher property tax rates, lower incomes, and unemployment slightly above the state and national averages.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Houghton
Houghton County property records span tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, property valuations, and foreclosure filings. The county has 28,992 total parcels, including 23,211 residential and 2,799 commercial parcels, with tax records covering 89.35% of the population. Valuation data is available for 15,254 properties, with the latest update on August 19, 2025.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 28,992 |
| Residential Parcels | 23,211 |
| Commercial Parcels | 2,799 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 89.35% |
| Assessment Year | 2025 |
| Deed Records | 8,148 |
| Mortgage Records | 1,812 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 15,254 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Trustee Sale Records | 103 |
How to Search Houghton County, MI Property Records
Houghton County property records are recorded and maintained by the Houghton County Register of Deeds, which holds deeds, mortgages, and related documents for the county's 28,992 parcels. Records show who owns a property, how and when it transferred, and what mortgages have been recorded against it.
The Houghton County Register of Deeds page explains the office's services, including electronic recording, and is the best place to start with questions about filing or requesting documents. For searching recorded documents online, the official records search lets you look up instruments by name or document details.
The office is at 401 E. Houghton Avenue in Houghton and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You can call 906-482-1311 for help finding a particular record or for copies.
Before you search, gather the owner name, property address, or any known document details. Enter the most complete information you have, scan the results for the matching document, and open it to read the parties, date, and legal description. If nothing appears online, contact the office directly.
Houghton Registrar of Deeds
The Houghton County Probate Office is located at 401 E. Houghton Avenue, Houghton, MI, 49931 and can be reached at 906-482-1311. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Records can be accessed through fidlar.com or the official website houghtoncounty.net.
Houghton County Register of Deeds
Houghton County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Houghton County property records by address?
Recorded documents are held by the Houghton County Register of Deeds, and the official records search is the online tool for finding them. Searches work best by name or document details, so if an address does not return results, call the office at 906-482-1311 for help locating the property.
How can I find property owners in Houghton County?
Ownership is shown on recorded deeds. Use the official records search to find the deed that transferred a property, which lists the grantor and grantee. You can also visit the Register of Deeds at 401 E. Houghton Avenue, Houghton, on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, or call 906-482-1311 for assistance.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Houghton County?
Houghton County's records reflect the 2025 assessment year, covering 28,992 parcels. Assessment questions are handled by local assessing officials in the township or city where the property sits. The Register of Deeds can point you in the right direction at 906-482-1311, and recorded deeds can help confirm legal descriptions before you contact an assessor.
Where can I find Houghton County property tax bills and payment records?
Property tax bills and payments are handled through the county and local treasurers rather than the Register of Deeds. For help knowing which office to contact for a specific parcel, call the Register of Deeds at 906-482-1311. Have the parcel number or property address ready so staff can direct you to the correct office.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Houghton County?
Deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents are kept by the Houghton County Register of Deeds. Search them online through the official records search, or visit the office at 401 E. Houghton Avenue, Houghton, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, to request copies in person.
Where can I access Houghton County parcel maps and GIS information?
The Register of Deeds records legal descriptions and plats that help define parcel boundaries, and staff can explain what is on file. Call 906-482-1311 or stop by 401 E. Houghton Avenue, Houghton. For mapping tools beyond recorded documents, ask the office which county department maintains current parcel maps.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Houghton County?
Permits and zoning are generally handled by the township, city, or village where the property is located rather than by the Register of Deeds. Contact the local government office for the property, and call the Register of Deeds at 906-482-1311 if you need recorded documents such as easements or deed restrictions that may affect what you can build.
How can I create a list of property owners in Houghton County?
The county's online tools are built for property-by-property lookups. Use the official records search to gather owner names from recorded deeds one at a time. For larger requests or bulk records, contact the Houghton County Register of Deeds at 906-482-1311 to ask what is available and how to request it.