Portage, Michigan Income Statistics
Portage 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.
-
B
Portage Around average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Portage | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $86,377 | $72,977 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $62,786 | $59,920 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 5.1% | 4.6% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 14.1% | 11.4% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 10.1% | 9.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Portage is about 18% higher than in Michigan. Income has been growing faster in Portage (5.1%/yr) than in Michigan (4.6%/yr).
About 14% of adults in Portage 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 Portage, Michigan grew by 55.6% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $86,377 in 2024. That's an average of about 5.1% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Portage
| Metric | Portage | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.504 | 0.539 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $73,704 | $69,354 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $59,751 | $54,749 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 18.9% | 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 Portage, it is 0.504, 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 23% more than women's income in Portage, Michigan. Over a 35-year career, a 23% wage gap accumulates to roughly $488,355 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Portage, Michigan has narrowed from about 27% to 19% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 29% in 2014, and was narrowest at 19% in 2020. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $655 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Portage | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 13.7% | 13.5% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 1,173 people are unemployed in Portage, Michigan.
The average commute time in Portage is 17 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Michigan.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Portage, Michigan has fallen from 10.0% to 4.3% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 10.8% in 2013.
Portage, MI Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Portage, 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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portage, MI | 49,224 | $86,377 #1/2 | 5.1%/yr #2/2 | 4.3% #1/2 | 0.504 #1/2 |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 73,365 | $52,381 | 5.3%/yr | 6.9% | 0.579 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Portage, 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 Portage, Michigan.
How Rich Is Portage, Michigan?
Portage 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 $86,377, about 18% higher than the Michigan average of $72,977.
How fast is household income rising in Portage, Michigan?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Portage, Michigan rose 56%, from $55,522 to $86,377. Over the same years, income here outpaced Michigan as a whole: +56% against +50%.
What was the median household income in Portage in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Portage, Michigan was $81,282, up 9% from $74,852 in 2022. The Michigan median that year was $71,362.
What was the median household income in Portage in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Portage, Michigan was $67,016. By 2024 it had risen 29% to $86,377.
Is it hard to find a job in Portage, Michigan?
Unemployment in Portage, Michigan is only 4.3%, 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 Portage, Michigan?
The Gini coefficient in Portage is 0.504. 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 Portage, Michigan?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Portage, Michigan has narrowed from about 27% to 19% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 29% in 2014, and was narrowest at 19% in 2020. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $655 since 2009.
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