Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 94% 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 | Isabella County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $53,748 | $71,353 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,483 | $60,704 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.1% | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.4% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Isabella County is about 25% lower than in Michigan. Income has been growing slower in Isabella County (4.1%/yr) than in Michigan (4.9%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Isabella 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 Isabella County, Michigan grew by 46.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $53,748 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Isabella County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Isabella County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.601 | 0.556 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $54,159 | $67,497 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $44,597 | $52,846 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.7% | 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 Isabella County, it is 0.601, higher than Michigan's 0.556, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 21% more than women's income in Isabella County, Michigan. Over a 35-year career, a 21% wage gap accumulates to roughly $334,670 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Isabella County, Michigan has narrowed from about 25% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $811 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Isabella County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.4% | 12.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 2,306 people are unemployed in Isabella County, Michigan.
The average commute time in Isabella County is 15 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Michigan.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Isabella County, Michigan has fallen from 13.8% to 6.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Isabella County, 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 Isabella County, Michigan.
How Wealthy Is Isabella County, Michigan?
Isabella County 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 $53,748, about 25% lower than the Michigan average of $71,353.
What is the current median household income in Isabella County, Michigan?
As of 2023, the median household income in Isabella County, Michigan is $53,748.
What was the median household income in Isabella County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Isabella County, Michigan was $53,748.
What was the median household income in Isabella County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Isabella County, Michigan was $46,933.
What is the Gini coefficient in Isabella County, Michigan?
The Gini coefficient in Isabella County is 0.601. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Isabella County, Michigan?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Isabella County, Michigan has narrowed from about 25% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $811 since 2009.