Michigan Income Statistics
Michigan Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a state's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
C
Michigan Below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Wealthiest and Least Wealthy Counties in Michigan
- Livingston County (118% of U.S. avg)
- Oakland County (117% of U.S. avg)
- Clinton County (109% of U.S. avg)
- Luce County (77% of U.S. avg)
- Alger County (77% of U.S. avg)
- Lake County (79% of U.S. avg)
Ranked by the Map AI Wealth Index, which combines income, employment, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Michigan | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $72,977 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $59,920 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.6% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 11.4% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 9.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Michigan is about 9% lower than in US. Income has been growing slower in Michigan (4.6%/yr) than in US (4.8%/yr).
About 11% of adults in Michigan earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the US average of 14%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Michigan grew by 49.7% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $72,977 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.6% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Michigan
| Metric | Michigan | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.539 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $69,354 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $54,749 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 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 Michigan, it is 0.539, lower than US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 27% more than women's income in Michigan. Over a 35-year career, a 27% wage gap accumulates to roughly $511,175 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Michigan has narrowed from about 28% to 21% in 2024. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $331 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Michigan | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 13.5% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 286,224 people are unemployed in Michigan.
The average commute time in Michigan is 21 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in US.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Michigan has fallen from 12.2% to 5.7% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 12.7% in 2013.
Michigan Wealth Compared With Nearby States
Michigan is the 3rd largest of the 6 states compared here, 10,068,405 residents against a local median of 6,845,048. The measure that sets Michigan apart most is unemployment: 5.7%, 20% above the local median of 4.8%. That is the weaker end of the local range on this measure.
The states themselves spread 2.6% on unemployment, so Michigan sits at one end of an already wide local range rather than apart from it. Michigan has the 5th lowest unemployment of the 6 areas compared here.
| 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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 10,068,405 | $72,977 #3/6 | 4.6%/yr #2/6 | 5.7% #5/6 | 0.539 #4/6 |
| Wisconsin | 5,910,864 | $77,698 | 4.4%/yr | 3.2% | 0.503 |
| Indiana | 6,845,048 | $71,967 | 4.5%/yr | 4.3% | 0.534 |
| Ohio | 11,799,428 | $71,509 | 4.4%/yr | 4.8% | 0.532 |
| Illinois | 12,692,444 | $84,042 | 4.5%/yr | 5.8% | 0.547 |
| Kentucky | 4,533,530 | $64,312 | 4.6%/yr | 4.8% | 0.547 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Michigan has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Michigan.
How Rich Is Michigan?
Michigan 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 $72,977, about 9% lower than the US average of $80,455.
How fast is household income rising in Michigan?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Michigan rose 50%, from $48,753 to $72,977. Over the same years, income here lagged behind the U.S. as a whole: +50% against +57%.
What was the median household income in Michigan in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Michigan was $71,362, up 4% from $68,655 in 2022. The US median that year was $78,147.
What was the median household income in Michigan in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Michigan was $59,340. By 2024 it had risen 23% to $72,977.
What is the Gini coefficient in Michigan?
The Gini coefficient in Michigan is 0.539. 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 Michigan?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Michigan has narrowed from about 28% to 21% in 2024. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $331 since 2009.
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