Battle Creek, Michigan Income Statistics
Battle Creek Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
D
Battle Creek Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Battle Creek | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $54,992 | $72,977 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,111 | $59,920 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.4% | 4.6% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.4% | 11.4% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 4.8% | 9.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Battle Creek is about 25% lower than in Michigan. Income has been growing slower in Battle Creek (4.4%/yr) than in Michigan (4.6%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Battle Creek earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Michigan average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Battle Creek, Michigan grew by 44.9% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $54,992 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.4% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Battle Creek
| Metric | Battle Creek | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.540 | 0.539 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $54,781 | $69,354 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $48,280 | $54,749 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 11.9% | 21.1% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Battle Creek, it is 0.540, about the same as Michigan's 0.539, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 13% more than women's income in Battle Creek, Michigan. Over a 35-year career, a 13% wage gap accumulates to roughly $227,535 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Battle Creek, Michigan has narrowed from about 17% to 12% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 23% in 2015. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $245 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Battle Creek | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.1% | 13.5% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 1,745 people are unemployed in Battle Creek, Michigan.
The average commute time in Battle Creek is 15 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Michigan.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Battle Creek, Michigan has fallen from 14.0% to 6.9% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 15.2% in 2013 and fell as low as 6.4% in 2020.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Battle Creek, Michigan has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Michigan, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Battle Creek, Michigan.
How Rich Is Battle Creek, Michigan?
Battle Creek has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $54,992, about 25% lower than the Michigan average of $72,977.
Are incomes growing in Battle Creek, Michigan?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Battle Creek, Michigan rose 45%, from $37,943 to $54,992. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Michigan as a whole: +45% against +50%.
What was the median household income in Battle Creek in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Battle Creek, Michigan was $51,182, up 3% from $49,709 in 2022. The Michigan median that year was $71,362.
What was the median household income in Battle Creek in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Battle Creek, Michigan was $42,117. By 2024 it had risen 31% to $54,992.
What is the Gini coefficient in Battle Creek, Michigan?
The Gini coefficient in Battle Creek is 0.540. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Battle Creek, Michigan?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Battle Creek, Michigan has narrowed from about 17% to 12% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 23% in 2015. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $245 since 2009.
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