Wealth Index
Among the top 5 wealthiest 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 | Ottawa County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $87,838 | $71,353 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $63,559 | $60,704 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.2% | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 12.0% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Ottawa County is about 23% higher than in Michigan. Income has been growing faster in Ottawa County (5.2%/yr) than in Michigan (4.9%/yr).
About 12% of adults in Ottawa County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Michigan average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Ottawa County, Michigan grew by 51.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $87,838 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.2% per year.
Economic Inequality in Ottawa County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Ottawa County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.540 | 0.556 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $71,523 | $67,497 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $52,489 | $52,846 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 26.6% | 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 Ottawa County, it is 0.540, 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 36% more than women's income in Ottawa County, Michigan. Over a 35-year career, a 36% wage gap accumulates to roughly $666,190 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Ottawa County, Michigan has narrowed from about 30% to 27% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,690 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Ottawa County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.4% | 12.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 5,809 people are unemployed in Ottawa County, Michigan.
The average commute time in Ottawa County is 18 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Michigan.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Ottawa County, Michigan has fallen from 8.3% to 3.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Ottawa County, Michigan has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Michigan, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Ottawa County, Michigan.
How Wealthy Is Ottawa County, Michigan?
Ottawa County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $87,838, about 23% higher than the Michigan average of $71,353.
What is the current median household income in Ottawa County, Michigan?
As of 2023, the median household income in Ottawa County, Michigan is $87,838.
What was the median household income in Ottawa County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Ottawa County, Michigan was $87,838.
What was the median household income in Ottawa County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Ottawa County, Michigan was $72,931.
What is the Gini coefficient in Ottawa County, Michigan?
The Gini coefficient in Ottawa County is 0.540. 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 Ottawa County, Michigan?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Ottawa County, Michigan has narrowed from about 30% to 27% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,690 since 2009.