The 8 Michigan Counties That Don’t Even Have a McDonald’s

If you live in the more populous southern part of Michigan, chances are you're only a few minutes from your nearest McDonald's. After all, the restaurant chain has more than 500 locations scattered around the state.

It may be hard to believe, but there are actually eight counties in Michigan that are so rural that they don't even have a McDonald's. (It was nine until Schoolcraft County got its first McDonald's location in Manistique in October 2024!)

SEE ALSO: McYikes! Michigan Has the Lowest-Rated McDonald's in America

Alcona County, Michigan

Alcona County is situated along the shore of Lake Huron, just to the south of Alpena. There isn't a single McDonald's in Alcona County. The whole county contains roughly the same population as the city of Howell, Michigan.

Alger County, Michigan

Alger County is in the middle of the Upper Peninsula on the shore of Lake Superior. Munising is the county seat, and while they have a Hardee's, they do not have a McDonald's.

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Baraga County, Michigan

Baraga County is another one in the U.P., between Marquette and Houghton. You won't find a McDonald's here - the whole county has roughly the same population as Mason, Michigan.

Keweenaw County, Michigan

Located at the tiptop of the Upper Peninsula, Keweenaw County is Michigan's least populous county. About 2,000 residents call it home - not big enough to support a McDonald's.

Lake County, Michigan

If you drive from Grand Rapids to Traverse City, you could take the scenic route and go through Lake County. Time your McNuggets craving to happen somewhere else though, because you won't find a McDonald's here.

Leelanau County, Michigan

You'll find the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Leelanau County, but not a Mickey D's.

Montmorency County, Michigan

West of Alpena is Montmorency County. There are no McDonald's locations here.

Ontonagon County, Michigan

Ontonagon County is one of Michigan's four Upper Peninsula counties that are far enough west to be in the Central Time Zone. There are roughly 5,800 residents in this county, about the same as the entire population of Petoskey, Michigan.