Forest Hills, Michigan Income Statistics
Forest Hills 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.
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A+
Forest Hills Top grade
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Forest Hills | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $157,738 | $72,977 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $105,586 | $59,920 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 3.9% | 4.6% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 30.9% | 11.4% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 38.6% | 9.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Forest Hills is about 116% higher than in Michigan. Income has been growing slower in Forest Hills (3.9%/yr) than in Michigan (4.6%/yr).
About 31% of adults in Forest Hills earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Michigan average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Forest Hills, Michigan grew by 56.3% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $157,738 in 2024. That's an average of about 3.9% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Forest Hills
| Metric | Forest Hills | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.501 | 0.539 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $122,682 | $69,354 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $90,617 | $54,749 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 26.1% | 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 Forest Hills, it is 0.501, lower than Michigan's 0.539, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 35% more than women's income in Forest Hills, Michigan. Over a 35-year career, a 35% wage gap accumulates to roughly $1,122,275 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Forest Hills, Michigan has narrowed from about 30% to 26% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 40% in 2010. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,162 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Forest Hills | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 1.1% | 5.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 22.6% | 13.5% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 157 people are unemployed in Forest Hills, Michigan.
The average commute time in Forest Hills is 18 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Michigan.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Forest Hills, Michigan has fallen from 5.9% to 1.1% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 6.1% in 2013.
Forest Hills, MI Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Forest Hills, MI compares with the 1 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Hills, MI | 27,933 | $157,738 #1/2 | 3.9%/yr #2/2 | 1.1% #1/2 | 0.501 #2/2 |
| Kentwood, MI | 54,971 | $75,230 | 5.7%/yr | 4.6% | 0.493 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Forest Hills, Michigan has an overall wealth index grade of A+, making it far better than Michigan, and far better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Forest Hills, Michigan.
How Rich Is Forest Hills, Michigan?
Forest Hills has a wealth index grade of A+. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an A+ grade means it is one of the most prosperous areas in the country. The median household income is $157,738, about 116% higher than the Michigan average of $72,977.
How fast is household income rising in Forest Hills, Michigan?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Forest Hills, Michigan rose 56%, from $100,902 to $157,738. Over the same years, income here outpaced Michigan as a whole: +56% against +50%.
What was the median household income in Forest Hills in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Forest Hills, Michigan was $154,861, up 4% from $148,398 in 2022. The Michigan median that year was $71,362.
What was the median household income in Forest Hills in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Forest Hills, Michigan was $129,484. By 2024 it had risen 22% to $157,738.
How many people earn six figures in Forest Hills, Michigan?
Yes. 31% of adults in Forest Hills, Michigan earn $100,000 or more a year (about 1 in 3), against 11% (about 1 in 9) in Michigan. 39% of households have a combined income of $200,000 or more, compared with 10% in Michigan.
Is it hard to find a job in Forest Hills, Michigan?
Unemployment in Forest Hills, Michigan is only 1.1%, well below the Michigan rate of 5.7%, a sign of a tight labor market where employers compete for workers.
What is the Gini coefficient in Forest Hills, Michigan?
The Gini coefficient in Forest Hills is 0.501. 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 Forest Hills, Michigan?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Forest Hills, Michigan has narrowed from about 30% to 26% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 40% in 2010. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,162 since 2009.
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