1st Advantage MortgageThe median St. Joseph County household earns $66,425, and 11% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- St. Joseph County, MI: the basics
- Work, industries and travel time in St. Joseph County
- What St. Joseph County households earn
- Rent, home values and ownership in St. Joseph County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in St. Joseph County
- How St. Joseph County compares with nearby counties
- Room for a loan payment in St. Joseph County
- Borrowing situations common in St. Joseph County
- People and households in St. Joseph County
- Who licenses lenders for St. Joseph County residents
- Checklist for St. Joseph County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
St. Joseph County, MI: the basics
With an estimated 60,969 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), St. Joseph County ranks 33rd of 83 in Michigan for population. Land area is 501 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 122 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, St. Joseph County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 8 places in the county (8 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Sturgis, with about 11,054 residents, or 18% of the county.
Work, industries and travel time in St. Joseph County
By the Census industry count, 36% of employed St. Joseph County residents work in manufacturing and 16% in education and health care. Compared with Michigan, the county leans toward manufacturing (36% against 18%). The survey's unemployment rate for St. Joseph County averages 5.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.7%). 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home.
| Sector | St. Joseph County | Compared with Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 36.3% | +18.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 15.6% | -7.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.0% | +0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | -1.0 pts |
| Construction | 5.8% | -0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.7% | -4.6 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
What St. Joseph County households earn
At $66,425, the typical St. Joseph County household income sits near the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 30th of 83.
| Yearly household income | St. Joseph County | Gap to Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.0% | +0.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.7% | +5.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.3% | -0.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.0% | -5.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 29% of St. Joseph County households make $100,000 or more, and 24% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 11.4%, 2 points lower than the state's 13.2%. A household earning below the $66,425 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Rent, home values and ownership in St. Joseph County
Renters in St. Joseph County pay a median of $849 a month, 25% below the Michigan figure of $1,129. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 39% of renter households here. Home values center on $178,300, or 2.7 years of median income. The ownership rate is 76%. The median home was built in 1970, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | St. Joseph County | Michigan | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $849/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $178,300 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 12% | n/a |
Because most St. Joseph 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.
Cities, towns and CDPs in St. Joseph County
8 Census places fall mainly inside St. Joseph County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 27,679 residents, leaving about 55% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $82,292 at the median in Mendon, $49,503 in Three Rivers. Rent is cheapest in Constantine ($755) and steepest in Mendon ($1,007). Live in one of these St. Joseph County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sturgis | city | 11,054 | $62,710 | $826 | 9 mi |
| Three Rivers | city | 7,943 | $49,503 | $839 | 6 mi |
| Constantine | village | 2,154 | $73,320 | $755 | 9 mi |
| White Pigeon | village | 1,760 | $51,250 | $775 | 10 mi |
| Colon | village | 1,570 | $58,542 | $785 | 11 mi |
| Centreville | village | 1,565 | $59,519 | $850 | 1 mi |
| Burr Oak | village | 818 | $63,816 | $983 | 11 mi |
| Mendon | village | 815 | $82,292 | $1,007 | 8 mi |
How St. Joseph County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (19 to 33 miles). Income ranges from $63,724 in Branch County to $84,487 in LaGrange County; 5 of these neighbors top St. Joseph County's median. Some neighbors are in Indiana. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a St. Joseph County resident follows Michigan rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph County | - | $66,425 | $849/mo | 76% |
| LaGrange County, IN | 19 mi | $84,487 | $839/mo | 83% |
| Kalamazoo County, MI | 23 mi | $72,532 | $1,093/mo | 65% |
| Branch County, MI | 23 mi | $63,724 | $959/mo | 78% |
| Cass County, MI | 25 mi | $70,443 | $916/mo | 82% |
| Elkhart County, IN | 28 mi | $68,561 | $1,047/mo | 72% |
| Steuben County, IN | 33 mi | $74,911 | $933/mo | 79% |
Room for a loan payment in St. Joseph County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a St. Joseph County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $5,535 gross per month ($66,425 / 12)
- Less median rent of $849, which is 15% of it
- $1,144: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,531 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Borrowing situations common in St. Joseph County
A few patterns in the St. Joseph County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Hospital bills in St. Joseph County. For the 10% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
People and households in St. Joseph County
17% of St. Joseph County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 10% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | St. Joseph County | All of Michigan | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.9 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.9% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.3% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.1% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.9% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.2% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.4% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.9% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of St. Joseph County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.3% |
| 60+ min | 4.5% |
Who licenses lenders for St. Joseph County residents
Consumer lenders serving St. Joseph County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Michigan that is the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Michigan guide.
Checklist for St. Joseph County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Michigan.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Michigan guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical St. Joseph County household make?
About $66,425 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 9% below the Michigan median.
What do renters pay in St. Joseph County?
$849 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
I own my home in St. Joseph County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 76% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in St. Joseph County?
By population: Sturgis, Three Rivers, Constantine, White Pigeon, Colon. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in St. Joseph County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.