Wealth Index
Wealthier than 70% of counties in Michigan
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Berrien County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $64,093 | $71,353 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $57,439 | $60,704 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.8% | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.7% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Berrien County is about 10% lower than in Michigan. Income has been growing slower in Berrien County (4.8%/yr) than in Michigan (4.9%/yr).
About 10% of adults in Berrien County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Michigan average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Berrien County, Michigan grew by 51.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $64,093 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Berrien County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Berrien County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.555 | 0.556 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $63,964 | $67,497 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $49,727 | $52,846 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 22.3% | 21.7% | 19.1% |
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 Berrien County, it is 0.555, about the same as Michigan's 0.556, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 29% more than women's income in Berrien County, Michigan. Over a 35-year career, a 29% wage gap accumulates to roughly $498,295 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Berrien County, Michigan has narrowed from about 32% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $630 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Berrien County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 10.2% | 12.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 4,847 people are unemployed in Berrien County, Michigan.
The average commute time in Berrien County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Michigan.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Berrien County, Michigan has fallen from 11.0% to 6.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Berrien County, Michigan has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Michigan, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Berrien County, Michigan.
How Rich Is Berrien County, Michigan?
Berrien County has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $64,093, about 10% lower than the Michigan average of $71,353.
What is the current median household income in Berrien County, Michigan?
As of 2023, the median household income in Berrien County, Michigan is $64,093.
What was the median household income in Berrien County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Berrien County, Michigan was $64,093.
What was the median household income in Berrien County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Berrien County, Michigan was $52,560.
What is the Gini coefficient in Berrien County, Michigan?
The Gini coefficient in Berrien County is 0.555. 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 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Berrien County, Michigan?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Berrien County, Michigan has narrowed from about 32% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $630 since 2009.