Wealth Index
Wealthier than 76% 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 | Cass County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $68,851 | $71,353 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $57,219 | $60,704 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.3% | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.0% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Cass County is about 4% lower than in Michigan. Income has been growing faster in Cass County (5.3%/yr) than in Michigan (4.9%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Cass 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 Cass County, Michigan grew by 52.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $68,851 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Cass County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Cass County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.528 | 0.556 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $63,127 | $67,497 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $49,438 | $52,846 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 21.7% | 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 Cass County, it is 0.528, lower than Michigan's 0.556, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 28% more than women's income in Cass County, Michigan. Over a 35-year career, a 28% wage gap accumulates to roughly $479,115 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cass County, Michigan has narrowed from about 26% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,255 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Cass County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.7% | 12.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 1,153 people are unemployed in Cass County, Michigan.
The average commute time in Cass County is 22 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in Michigan.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Cass County, Michigan has fallen from 9.7% to 4.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Cass County, Michigan has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat better than Michigan, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Cass County, Michigan.
How Rich Is Cass County, Michigan?
Cass 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 $68,851, about 4% lower than the Michigan average of $71,353.
What is the current median household income in Cass County, Michigan?
As of 2023, the median household income in Cass County, Michigan is $68,851.
What was the median household income in Cass County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Cass County, Michigan was $68,851.
What was the median household income in Cass County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Cass County, Michigan was $58,173.
What is the Gini coefficient in Cass County, Michigan?
The Gini coefficient in Cass County is 0.528. 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 Cass County, Michigan?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cass County, Michigan has narrowed from about 26% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,255 since 2009.