Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 84% 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 | Mecosta County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $57,691 | $71,353 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $47,083 | $60,704 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.8% | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.6% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Mecosta County is about 19% lower than in Michigan. Income has been growing slower in Mecosta County (4.8%/yr) than in Michigan (4.9%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Mecosta 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 Mecosta County, Michigan grew by 59.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $57,691 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Mecosta County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Mecosta County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.565 | 0.556 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $52,035 | $67,497 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $42,575 | $52,846 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 18.2% | 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 Mecosta County, it is 0.565, higher than Michigan's 0.556, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.570, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 22% more than women's income in Mecosta County, Michigan. Over a 35-year career, a 22% wage gap accumulates to roughly $331,100 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Mecosta County, Michigan has narrowed from about 22% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $212 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Mecosta County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.7% | 12.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 898 people are unemployed in Mecosta County, Michigan.
The average commute time in Mecosta County is 18 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Michigan.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Mecosta County, Michigan has fallen from 15.3% to 5.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Mecosta 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 Mecosta County, Michigan.
How Rich Is Mecosta County, Michigan?
Mecosta 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 $57,691, about 19% lower than the Michigan average of $71,353.
What is the current median household income in Mecosta County, Michigan?
As of 2023, the median household income in Mecosta County, Michigan is $57,691.
What was the median household income in Mecosta County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Mecosta County, Michigan was $57,691.
What was the median household income in Mecosta County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Mecosta County, Michigan was $45,981.
What is the Gini coefficient in Mecosta County, Michigan?
The Gini coefficient in Mecosta County is 0.565. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Mecosta County, Michigan?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Mecosta County, Michigan has narrowed from about 22% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $212 since 2009.