1st Advantage MortgageThe median Van Buren County household earns $68,114, and 14% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Van Buren County by the numbers
- Household income in Van Buren County
- Jobs and commutes in Van Buren County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Van Buren County
- Places inside Van Buren County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- What a median Van Buren County budget can carry
- Van Buren County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Van Buren County
- Michigan rules that apply in Van Buren County
- A Van Buren County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Van Buren County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Van Buren County's population at 75,795; only 25 of Michigan's 83 county-level areas are larger. It covers 608 square miles of land, or about 125 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 10 Census places inside Van Buren County, Paw Paw leads by population with about 3,289; 10 of the 10 are incorporated.
Household income in Van Buren County
Half of Van Buren County households take in less than $68,114 a year and half take in more, 7% below the Michigan median of $72,875. That places it 27th among Michigan's 83 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Van Buren County | Difference from Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.1% | +3.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.8% | +0.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.0% | 0.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.1% | -3.4 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 32% clear $100,000. 14.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.2%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.438 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Van Buren County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jobs and commutes in Van Buren County
Manufacturing employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 21%. Manufacturing stands out: 24% of workers here, versus 18% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Van Buren County averages 4.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.7%). About 76% drive to work alone and 12% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry | Share of Van Buren County workers | vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 23.5% | +5.3 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.6% | -2.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.9% | -0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.3% | -1.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.7% | -0.7 pts |
| Construction | 7.3% | +1.4 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Rent, home values and ownership in Van Buren County
A typical Van Buren County rental runs $870 a month including utilities, which is 23% below Michigan. By the Census definition, 48% of Van Buren County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $206,500, a typical Van Buren County house costs 3.0 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 81%. The median home was built in 1978, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Van Buren County | Michigan statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $870/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $206,500 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 11.1% | 5.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 18% | 12% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Van Buren County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Places inside Van Buren County
Here are the 10 most populous of the county's 10 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 22% of Van Buren County residents live in one of the 10. Incomes vary by place: $66,250 at the median in Bloomingdale, $36,058 in Lawrence. Live in one of these Van Buren County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paw Paw | village | 3,289 | $41,587 | $761 | 22 mi |
| Mattawan | village | 2,692 | $61,587 | $1,066 | 27 mi |
| Hartford | city | 2,458 | $42,171 | $837 | 9 mi |
| Bangor | city | 2,129 | $49,764 | $924 | 10 mi |
| Lawton | village | 2,104 | $52,652 | $812 | 25 mi |
| Decatur | village | 1,835 | $61,806 | $785 | 21 mi |
| Lawrence | village | 942 | $36,058 | $587 | 14 mi |
| Gobles | city | 595 | $44,250 | $630 | 23 mi |
| Bloomingdale | village | 522 | $66,250 | $929 | 19 mi |
| Breedsville | village | 288 | $98,750 | n/a | 13 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Distances run center to center, from Allegan County at 10 miles out to St. Joseph County at 48. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Van Buren County; Allegan County is highest at $83,283 and Berrien County lowest at $65,425. The list crosses into Indiana, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Buren County | - | $68,114 | $870/mo | 81% |
| Allegan County, MI | 10 mi | $83,283 | $1,100/mo | 87% |
| Cass County, MI | 30 mi | $70,443 | $916/mo | 82% |
| Kalamazoo County, MI | 40 mi | $72,532 | $1,093/mo | 65% |
| Berrien County, MI | 41 mi | $65,425 | $942/mo | 73% |
| St. Joseph County, IN | 46 mi | $66,868 | $1,062/mo | 69% |
| St. Joseph County, MI | 48 mi | $66,425 | $849/mo | 76% |
What a median Van Buren County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Van Buren County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,676 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $870, takes 15% of that
- Under a 36% cap, $2,043 total minus rent leaves $1,173
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,571 a month
If your rent is above $870, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Van Buren County households compared
23% of Van Buren County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 7.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Van Buren County | Michigan statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.2 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.0% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.4% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.0% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.5% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.3% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Van Buren County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.6% |
| 60+ min | 5.6% |
Borrowing situations common in Van Buren County
A few patterns in the Van Buren County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Rent squeeze. 48% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Van Buren County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Michigan rules that apply in Van Buren County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Van Buren County, check the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Michigan guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Van Buren County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Van Buren County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Van Buren County-area credit union.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
The Michigan guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Van Buren County a high-income county?
Its $68,114 median ranks 27th of 83 Michigan counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Van Buren County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $870 a month; 48% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Van Buren County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 81% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Van Buren County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Paw Paw, Mattawan, Hartford, Bangor, Lawton and 5 more.
Does living in Van Buren County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Van Buren County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.