Wealth Index
Wealthier than 78% 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 | Kalamazoo County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $70,409 | $71,353 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $60,900 | $60,704 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.1% | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 10.9% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Kalamazoo County is about 1% lower than in Michigan. Income has been growing faster in Kalamazoo County (5.1%/yr) than in Michigan (4.9%/yr).
About 11% of adults in Kalamazoo County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the Michigan average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Kalamazoo County, Michigan grew by 58.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $70,409 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Kalamazoo County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Kalamazoo County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.554 | 0.556 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $65,403 | $67,497 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $54,250 | $52,846 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.1% | 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 Kalamazoo County, it is 0.554, 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 21% more than women's income in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Over a 35-year career, a 21% wage gap accumulates to roughly $390,355 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Kalamazoo County, Michigan has narrowed from about 27% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,335 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Kalamazoo County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.3% | 12.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 7,887 people are unemployed in Kalamazoo County, Michigan.
The average commute time in Kalamazoo County is 18 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Michigan.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Kalamazoo County, Michigan has fallen from 11.5% to 5.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo County, Michigan.
How Rich Is Kalamazoo County, Michigan?
Kalamazoo 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 $70,409, about 1% lower than the Michigan average of $71,353.
What is the current median household income in Kalamazoo County, Michigan?
As of 2023, the median household income in Kalamazoo County, Michigan is $70,409.
What was the median household income in Kalamazoo County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Kalamazoo County, Michigan was $70,409.
What was the median household income in Kalamazoo County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Kalamazoo County, Michigan was $59,028.
What is the Gini coefficient in Kalamazoo County, Michigan?
The Gini coefficient in Kalamazoo County is 0.554. 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 Kalamazoo County, Michigan?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Kalamazoo County, Michigan has narrowed from about 27% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,335 since 2009.