1st Advantage MortgageIn Berrien County, Michigan, the typical household earns $65,425 a year and the typical rent is $942. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Berrien County
- How much Berrien County households make
- Housing costs in Berrien County
- The Berrien County job picture
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- The communities that make up Berrien County
- People and households in Berrien County
- Reading the Berrien County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Berrien County median
- Checking a lender's license in Michigan
- Before you sign
- More guides for Berrien County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Berrien County
Berrien County is home to about 153,288 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 16th most populous of 83 county-level areas in Michigan. Packed into 568 square miles, that is close to 270 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Niles, MI metropolitan area. Of the 23 Census places inside Berrien County, Benton Harbor leads by population with about 8,953; 16 of the 23 are incorporated.
How much Berrien County households make
The median household income in Berrien County is $65,425; statewide it is $72,875, so Berrien County runs 10% below Michigan as a whole. Only 34 Michigan counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Berrien County | Gap to Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.4% | +4.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.3% | -0.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.1% | -2.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.2% | -1.3 pts |
About 27% of households earn under $35,000, while 31% clear $100,000. Census counts 15.1% of Berrien County residents in poverty, against 13.2% across Michigan. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.475 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Berrien County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Housing costs in Berrien County
Renters in Berrien County pay a median of $942 a month, 17% below the Michigan figure of $1,129. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 50% of renter households here. With a median value of $224,300, a typical Berrien County house costs 3.4 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 73%.
| Housing | Berrien County | Michigan statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $942/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $224,300 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 23% | n/a |
Because most Berrien County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
The Berrien County job picture
By the Census industry count, 24% of employed Berrien County residents work in education and health care and 19% in manufacturing. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.2% in Berrien County. About 76% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Sector | Berrien County | Compared with Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.8% | +0.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.1% | +0.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.3% | -0.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.5% | +1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.3% | -2.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.3% | +1.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Berrien County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Neighboring counties at a glance
LaPorte County is closest, 17 miles from center to center; the sixth, Lake County, is 39 miles off. Income ranges from $63,960 in Starke County to $87,972 in Porter County; 5 of these neighbors top Berrien County's median. The list crosses into Indiana, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berrien County | - | $65,425 | $942/mo | 73% |
| LaPorte County, IN | 17 mi | $71,055 | $976/mo | 75% |
| Porter County, IN | 26 mi | $87,972 | $1,219/mo | 78% |
| St. Joseph County, IN | 26 mi | $66,868 | $1,062/mo | 69% |
| Starke County, IN | 35 mi | $63,960 | $712/mo | 83% |
| Cass County, MI | 39 mi | $70,443 | $916/mo | 82% |
| Lake County, IN | 39 mi | $71,493 | $1,131/mo | 72% |
The communities that make up Berrien County
23 Census places fall mainly inside Berrien County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 53,632 residents, leaving about 65% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Shoreham has the highest median household income on the list ($113,750) and Benton Harbor the lowest ($31,117), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $612 in Benton Heights to $1,367 in Shoreham. This guide covers each of the 23 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton Harbor | city | 8,953 | $31,117 | $851 | 27 mi |
| St. Joseph | city | 7,986 | $84,057 | $1,081 | 25 mi |
| Fair Plain | CDP | 7,330 | $52,817 | $1,019 | 25 mi |
| Buchanan | city | 4,223 | $56,163 | $903 | 20 mi |
| Paw Paw Lake | CDP | 3,889 | $67,674 | $1,164 | 38 mi |
| Benton Heights | CDP | 3,078 | $33,542 | $612 | 28 mi |
| Watervliet | city | 2,156 | $61,167 | $885 | 37 mi |
| Bridgman | city | 2,077 | $66,603 | $1,008 | 13 mi |
| Berrien Springs | village | 2,018 | $65,134 | $972 | 23 mi |
| Three Oaks | village | 1,503 | $66,985 | $1,074 | 7 mi |
| Shorewood-Tower Hills-Harbert | CDP | 1,459 | $83,204 | $1,021 | 9 mi |
| New Buffalo | city | 1,338 | $64,702 | $1,042 | 0 mi |
| Shoreham | village | 1,100 | $113,750 | $1,367 | 22 mi |
| Stevensville | village | 1,095 | $64,125 | $1,200 | 19 mi |
People and households in Berrien County
College graduates make up 31% of the adult population. About 6% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Berrien County | Michigan | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.7 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 30.9% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.7% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.4% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.0% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.2% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.1% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.2% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.6% |
| 60+ min | 5.4% |
Reading the Berrien County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Berrien County data, and the practical point behind each:
- 50% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Budget math at the Berrien County median
Berrien County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $5,452 a month: gross income for a household at the Berrien County median
- Rent at the median, $942, takes 17% of that
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,402 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $942, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Checking a lender's license in Michigan
Before sharing details with a lender, a Berrien County resident can confirm its license with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Michigan: Michigan personal loans.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Berrien County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Michigan borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for Berrien County
The Michigan guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Berrien County earn?
The median is $65,425; 31% earn $100,000 or more and 27% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Berrien County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $942 a month; 50% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I live in a small Berrien County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Fair Plain, Buchanan, Paw Paw Lake and 18 more.
Can Berrien County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Michigan county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Berrien County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Michigan it is the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.