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Mecosta County, Michigan

Facts, statistics and data on population, demographics, income, economy, housing and education
County in MI, US
Last updated
Key Indicators
A quick look at key numbers

Population

41,242
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates

Median Age

40
years ∙ half population younger than 40, half older

Diversity Index

Low High
19.4%
chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity

Nativity

2%
foreign-born population
98%Native
2% Foreign-born

Geographic Context

Location, size, and surroundings

About

Mecosta County is a county in Michigan, United States.
Location
County in MI, US
Co-ordinates
DEC43.635295° N, 85.332751° W
DMS43° 38′ 07.06″ N, 85° 19′ 57.90″ W

Population Density & area

74.28/sq mi (28.68/km²)
Total Area
571.3 sq mi (1,479.5 km²)
Land Area
555.2 sq mi (1,437.8 km²) · 97.2%
Water Area
16.1 sq mi (41.7 km²) · 2.8%

Demographics & Living

Who lives here, how households are formed, and community composition

Population Composition

Key characteristics of the population

Sex Distribution

50.2% male
Male 50.2%
Female 49.8%
males per 100 females
Mecosta County 100.7
Michigan 98.2
United States 98

Nativity

2%
foreign-born population
98%Native
2% Foreign-born
% Foreign-born
Mecosta County 2%
Michigan 7.2%
United States 14.1%
Age Distribution
How the population is spread across age groups

Median Age

40
years ∙ half population younger than 40, half older
Mecosta County
40
Michigan
40.2
United States
38.9

Dependency ratio

Low High
65.2
dependents per 100 working-age adults
Mecosta County 65.2
Michigan 66.3
United States 64.4

AGE DISTRIBUTION

Distribution of age group
Median age
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Age Group
Children (Under 18) 19.1% 21.2% 22%
Working age (18-64) 60.5% 60.2% 60.8%
Senior (65+) 20.4% 18.6% 17.2%
Dependency ratio
Total dependency ratio 65.2 66.3 64.4
Child dependency ratio 31.5 35.3 36.1
Old-age dependency ratio 33.6 31 28.3
Racial & Ethnic Composition
Racial and ethnic makeup and how it compares

Race & Ethnicity

White
89.6%
Black
2.1%
Asian
0.7%
Hispanic
3%
Other
4.6%
Note: White, Black, and Asian refer to individuals belonging to a single race and not of Hispanic origin. Hispanics may be of any race.

Diversity Index

Low High
19.4%
chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity
Mecosta County 19.4%
Michigan 45.2%
United States 61.4%
Note: The Diversity Index (DI), based on the Blau Index, measures the probability that two randomly selected individuals differ in race and ethnicity. Values range from 0 (no diversity) to 1 (high diversity) and are shown as percentages.

RACIAL & ETHNIC COMPOSITION

Race & Ethnicity
Percentage of Mecosta County population
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Hispanic or Latino 3% 5.9% 19.3%
Mexican 1.6% 4% 11.3%
Puerto Rican 0.3% 0.5% 1.8%
Cuban 0.6% 0.2% 0.8%
Other Hispanic / Latino 0.4% 1.2% 5.5%
Not Hispanic or Latino 97% 94.1% 80.7%
One race 93.1% 89.6% 76.4%
White 89.6% 72.4% 57.4%
Black or African American 2.1% 13.1% 11.9%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.5% 0.3% 0.5%
Asian 0.7% 3.4% 5.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0% 0% 0.2%
Some Other Race 0.2% 0.5% 0.6%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 3.9% 4.5% 4.3%
Household & Families Composition
Household size, type, and family structure

Household structure

61.6% family
Family 61.6%
Non family 38.4%
% family households
Mecosta County 61.6%
Michigan 62.4%
United States 64.2%

Average household size

2.33
persons per household
Mecosta County
2.33
Michigan
2.42
United States
2.53

Household & Family COMPOSITION

Households
Percentage of Mecosta County population
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Total households 16,708 4,076,369 129,227,496
Average houshold size 2.33 2.42 2.53
Family households 10,299 2,545,621 82,990,528
Average family size 2.81 3.05 3.14
Married couple family 7,649 1,878,767 60,637,388
Other families 2,650 666,854 22,353,140
Male householder 1,028 199,150 6,572,819
Female householder 1,622 467,704 15,780,321
Non-family households 6,409 1,530,748 46,236,968
One-person households 4,619 1,250,418 37,140,836
Male householder 2,027 583,425 16,871,444
Senior (65+) living alone 852 188,594 5,225,110
Female householder 2,592 666,993 20,269,392
Senior (65+) living alone 1,471 349,637 10,089,070
Other living arrangements 1,790 280,330 9,096,132

Housing Profile

Housing stock, ownership, rentals, and cost burdens

Total housing units

21,139
housing units
Mecosta County 21,139
Michigan 4,622,236
United States 143,775,355

Occupancy status

79% occupied
Occupied 79%
Vacant 21%
vacancy rate
Mecosta County 21%
Michigan 11.8%
United States 10.1%
Housing Characteristics
How the housing supply is structured and used

Types of Housing unit

74%
Single family houses
Single family houses
74%
Apartments in multi-unit structures
11.5%
Mobile homes
14.5%
Boat, RV, van, etc
0.1%

Median Year Built

1980
Half of houses were built before 1980, and half after.
Historic ∙ 1939 or earlier
12.8%
Postwar & mid-century ∙ 1940 - 1969
20.7%
Late 20th century ∙ 1970 - 1999
46.5%
Modern ∙ 2000 or later
20.1%
Note: Median year built reflects occupied units only; distribution includes all units.

Housing Characteristics

Units, rooms & bedrooms
Physical characteristics of housing units
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Rooms per unit
Median rooms 5.8 5.9 5.5
1–3 rooms 7.9% 10.5% 15.1%
4–6 rooms 55.1% 51.9% 51.6%
7+ rooms 37.1% 37.6% 33.4%
Bedrooms
No bedroom / studio 1.1% 1.6% 2.9%
1 bedroom 7% 8.9% 10.9%
2 bedrooms 27.3% 24.6% 25%
3 bedrooms 41.2% 43.5% 38.7%
4+ bedrooms 23.3% 21.4% 22.4%
At a glance
Median year built 1980 1972 1981
Total housing units 21,139 4,622,236 143,775,355
Occupancy Profile
Who is inside and how they use it

Homeownership

76.9% owners
Renter-occupied 23.1%
Owner-occupied 76.9%
homeownership rate
Mecosta County 76.9%
Michigan 73.2%
United States 65.2%

Average household size

2.37
Owner-occupied
2.2
Renter-occupied
owner-occupied average size
Mecosta County 2.37
Michigan 2.54
United States 2.64

Housing Characteristics

Occupied unit characteristics
Tenure, crowding, and utilities
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Total occupied units 16,708 4,076,369 129,227,496
Year moved in
2020 or later 23.4% 21% 24.8%
2010 to 2019 37.2% 39.5% 39.6%
2000 to 2009 17.5% 16% 16.4%
1999 or earlier 21.8% 23.4% 19.1%
Occupants per room
1.00 or fewer 98% 98.4% 96.6%
1.01 to 1.50 1.1% 1.2% 2.2%
1.51 or more 0.9% 0.4% 1.2%
Vehicles availability
No vehicles 7.1% 7% 8.4%
1 vehicle 30.6% 34.8% 33.1%
2 vehicles 39.7% 38.3% 36.6%
3 or more vehicles 22.6% 19.8% 21.9%
House heating fuel used
Gas 78.8% 83.6% 51.4%
Electricity 9.6% 12.1% 41.3%
Solar 0% 0% 0.3%
Fuel oil, kerosene etc 2.2% 0.8% 3.9%
All other fuels 8.6% 3% 2%
No fuel used 0.7% 0.5% 1.2%
Selected characteristics
Lacking complete plumbing 1.2% 0.4% 0.4%
Lacking complete kitchen 1.8% 0.7% 0.8%
No telephone service available 2.3% 0.7% 0.9%
Housing Value
What owner-occupied units are worth

Median home value

$178,900
owner-occupied units
Median value(USD)
Mecosta County
$178,900
Michigan
$231,600
United States
$332,700

Housing Cost Burden

25.6%
of homeowners with a mortgage are cost-burdened
% Cost-Burdened Households
Owners with a mortgage
25.6%
Owners without a mortgage
12.6%
Renters
52.1%
Note: Households spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs are considered cost-burdened.

Financial characteristics

Property value and housing costs
Tenure, crowding, and utilities
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Property value
Median Value $178,900 $231,600 $332,700
Under $100,000 22.4% 16.8% 11.4%
$100,000 - $200,000 33.8% 24.7% 15.8%
$200,000 - $300,000 24% 23.4% 17.8%
$300,000 - $500,000 14.8% 24.1% 26.9%
$500,000 - $1,000,000 4% 9.2% 20.9%
$1,000,000 and more 1% 1.6% 7.1%
Owner-occupied households
With a mortgage 50.1% 57.8% 60.6%
Without a mortgage 49.9% 42.2% 39.4%
Median monthly owner costs
With a mortgage $1,293 $1,569 $1,963
Without a mortgage $480 $602 $638
Gross rent
Median rent $934 $1,129 $1,413

Education Profile

How educated is the community and how education pays off

Adults with a college degree

22.5%
of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
Mecosta County 22.5%
Michigan 32.4%
United States 35.7%

Adults without a high school diploma

8.6%
of adults (25+) without a high school diploma
Mecosta County 8.6%
Michigan 8%
United States 10.4%
School Enrollment
Who is enrolled in school and at what level

School enrollment

10,673
population (age 3+) enrolled in school
Nursery / Preschool
3.1%
K–12
48.9%
College / Undergraduate
43.9%
Graduate / Professional
4.1%

College-going rate (18-24 yr olds)

69.2%
of 18-24-year-olds in college or graduate school
Mecosta County
69.2%
Michigan
41.1%
United States
40.9%

Enrollment & school type

Enrollment levels, college-going rate, and public vs private school split
Population 3+ currently enrolled in a school
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Total enrolled (age 3+) 10,673 2,312,914 80,089,790
Nursery / preschool 3.1% 5.6% 5.7%
K–12 48.9% 67.9% 67.6%
Kindergarten 4.4% 5.2% 5%
Elementary: Grades 1–4 15.6% 19.7% 19.8%
Elementary: Grades 5–8 14.7% 20.8% 21%
High School: Grades 9–12 14.1% 22.2% 21.7%
College or graduate school 48% 26.5% 26.7%
College, undergraduate 43.9% 21.1% 21%
Graduate, professional school 4.1% 5.4% 5.8%
College-going rate · 18-24 yr olds 69.2% 41.1% 40.9%
School type
Public school 85.1% 85.2% 82%
Private school 14.9% 14.8% 18%
Education Attainment by Level & Gender
What is the highest level of education completed among adults

Education attainment

27,114
population 25 years and over
Total adults (25+)
Less than 9th grade
3.4%
9th-12th, no diploma
5.2%
HS graduate
36.9%
Some college no degree
22.2%
Associates degree
9.8%
Bachelors degree
14.8%
Graduate or professional degree
7.7%

Attainment by gender

Male vs Female
Adults (25+) · Share within each education level
% male · % female
Less than 9th grade
53.9% · 46.1%
9th-12th, no diploma
65.4% · 34.6%
HS graduate
51.1% · 48.9%
Some college no degree
49.5% · 50.5%
Associates degree
42.4% · 57.6%
Bachelors degree
44.4% · 55.6%
Graduate or professional degree
47.4% · 52.6%

Educational Attainment Overview

Distribution and key education attainment rates for adults (25+)
Highest credential completed · adults 25+
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Population (25+) 27,114 7,008,507 230,807,303
Less than 9th grade 3.4% 2.6% 4.7%
9th–12th, no diploma 5.2% 5.4% 5.7%
High school diploma or GED 36.9% 28% 26%
Some college, no degree 22.2% 21.9% 19.1%
Associate's degree 9.8% 9.8% 8.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher 22.5% 32.4% 35.7%
Bachelor's degree 14.8% 19.7% 21.6%
Graduate or professional 7.7% 12.7% 14.1%
High School or higher 91.4% 92.1% 89.6%
Earnings by education level
percentage as applicable

Median Earnings

$41,108
Median earnings for adults 25+, by level
Less than HS graduate
$32,719
HS graduate
$35,749
Some college or associates
$40,056
Bachelors degree
$51,370
Graduate or professional degree
$73,707

Poverty Rate

4.9%
for ages 25+, with bachelors degree or higher
Less than HS graduate
39.1%
HS graduate
15.4%
Some college or associates
12.6%
Bachelors degree or higher
4.9%

Outcomes by Education Level

Earnings and poverty rates across education levels (25+)
Adults 25+
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Median earnings
Population 25+, with earnings $41,108 $50,316 $52,696
Less than high school graduate $32,719 $31,851 $32,485
High school graduate (includes equivalency) $35,749 $37,777 $40,153
Some college or associate's degree $40,056 $44,844 $47,260
Bachelor's degree $51,370 $66,893 $70,044
Graduate or professional degree $73,707 $85,195 $90,720
Poverty rates
Less than high school graduate 39.1% 27.4% 24.2%
High school graduate (includes equivalency) 15.4% 15.2% 14.4%
Some college or associate's degree 12.6% 10.3% 9.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher 4.9% 4.2% 4.5%

Economy & Employment

Jobs, industries, and workforce at a glance

Labor Force

Who is working, looking for work, and participating in the economy

Adult Population (16+)

34,304
residents 16 years and over
Mecosta County 34,304
Michigan 8,197,132
United States 270,181,636

Employment-Population Ratio (EPOP)

Low High
52.2%
of residents age 16+ are employed
Mecosta County 52.2%
Michigan 57.7%
United States 59.7%
Note: The Employment-Population Ratio (EPOP) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is currently employed. Higher values indicate a larger proportion of residents holding jobs.
Labor Force Composition
Age and demographic makeup of the labor force

Median Age of Workers (16–64)

36.5
years ∙ half are younger than 36.5, half older
Mecosta County
36.5
Michigan
39.5
United States
39.6
Note: Median worker age is based on adults age 16–64 who worked in the past 12 months.

Male-Female Labor Force Split

51.5% male
Male 51.5%
Female 48.5%
Female Share of Labor Force (%)
Mecosta County 48.5
Michigan 47.5
United States 47.2

Labor force composition

Age and Gender Composition of the Labor Force (16+) in Mecosta County
How the labor force age 16 and over is distributed across age groups and gender.
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Total labor force 18,672 5,024,003 171,493,276
Age distribution
16 to 19 years 6.9% 4.7% 4%
20 to 24 years 16.7% 10.2% 9.6%
25 to 29 years 9.8% 10.9% 11%
30 to 34 years 9.5% 11.1% 11.5%
35 to 44 years 16.8% 20.2% 21.6%
45 to 54 years 17.8% 19.6% 19.5%
55 to 59 years 10.1% 9.5% 9%
60 to 64 years 7.5% 7.7% 7.4%
65 to 74 years 4.1% 5.2% 5.4%
75 years and over 0.9% 0.9% 1%
Gender composition
Male 51.5% 52.5% 52.8%
Female 48.5% 47.5% 47.2%
Labor Force Participation
How much of the working-age population is active in the labor force?

Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR)

54.4%
of adults age 16+ are in the labor force
Mecosta County
54.4%
Michigan
61.3%
United States
63.5%
Note: The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is working or looking for work.

Participation Gap · Male vs Female

55.9%
of males age 16+ are in the labor force
52.9%
of females age 16+ are in the labor force
Female LFPR (%)
Mecosta County 52.9%
Michigan 57.3%
United States 58.9%
Note: LFPR measures the share of the male or female population age 16+ that is working or looking for work.

AGE & GENDER LFPR

Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in Mecosta County
Share of residents age 16+ working or seeking work, by age group, gender and race
Mecosta County Michigan United States
LFPR by age group
16 to 19 years 47.2% 44.9% 39.4%
20 to 24 years 70.2% 77% 75.4%
25 to 29 years 84.4% 83.5% 84.1%
30 to 34 years 83.1% 83.1% 84%
35 to 44 years 72% 82.7% 83.6%
45 to 54 years 77.7% 81.3% 82.1%
55 to 59 years 69% 72.2% 74.1%
60 to 64 years 45.6% 54.7% 59.2%
65 to 74 years 14.8% 23.2% 27.1%
75 years and over 5% 6.1% 7.3%
LFPR by gender
Male 55.9% 65.4% 68.2%
Female 52.9% 57.3% 58.9%
LFPR by race, ethnicity
White 53.8% 60.9% 62%
Black or African American 67.1% 59.2% 63.5%
American Indian and Alaska Native 58.7% 57.6% 62.3%
Asian 74.7% 67% 66.8%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0% 76.2% 65.3%
Some Other Race 88.9% 64% 67.7%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 51.8% 67.4% 67.8%
Hispanic or Latino 61.8% 69% 68.3%
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
2. The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is working or looking for work.
Labor Force Status
Employment, unemployment, and labor force conditions

Unemployment Rate

4%
of the civilian labor force age 16+ is unemployed
Mecosta County
4%
Michigan
5.7%
United States
5.2%
Note: Unemployment rate measures the share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is jobless and seeking work. It excludes residents not in the labor force, such as retirees and students.

UNEMPLOYMENT GAP · MALE VS FEMALE

4.2%
of males age 16+ in civilian labor force are unemployed
3.8%
of females age 16+ in civilian labor force are unemployed
male unemployment rate
Mecosta County 4.2%
Michigan 5.8%
United States 5.3%
Note: Male and female unemployment rates measure the share of each group's civilian labor force age 16+ that is unemployed and seeking work.

CIVILIAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

Unemployment Rate in Mecosta County
Share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is unemployed, by age group, gender and race
Mecosta County Michigan United States
By age group
16 to 19 years 12.1% 14.2% 14.3%
20 to 24 years 4.6% 9.7% 9.1%
25 to 29 years 3.5% 6.3% 6%
30 to 34 years 5.2% 5.6% 5%
35 to 44 years 3.8% 4.8% 4.3%
45 to 54 years 3% 4.2% 3.9%
55 to 59 years 2.6% 4.1% 3.8%
60 to 64 years 0.7% 4% 3.7%
65 to 74 years 0.8% 4.3% 3.9%
75 years and over 2.5% 3.7% 3.9%
By gender
Male 4.2% 5.8% 5.3%
Female 3.8% 5.6% 5.2%
By race, ethnicity
White 3.8% 4.6% 4.3%
Black or African American 6.4% 12.1% 8.7%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1% 7.3% 7.8%
Asian 0% 3.9% 4.4%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander —% 11.3% 7.2%
Some Other Race 9.7% 6.8% 6.3%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 5.8% 7.2% 6.3%
Hispanic or Latino 12.3% 7% 6.2%
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
2.Unemployment rate measures the share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is jobless and seeking work. It excludes residents not in the labor force, such as retirees and students.

Job Market

Where residents work, what types of employers they work for, and how they commute

Total employed population

17,918
employed residents 16 years and over
Employed population
Mecosta County 17,918
Michigan 4,732,153
United States 161,297,155
Note: Total employed population refers to the civilian employed population age 16 and over, including both full-time and part-time workers.

Full-time employment rate

61%
of employed residents 16 and older
Full-time employment (%)
Mecosta County 61%
Michigan 68%
United States 72%
Note: Total full-time employed population refers to civilians age 16 and over working full time throughout the year, excluding part-time workers.
Industries
The industries that employ Mecosta County, Michigan workforce and shape the local economy

Top Industry

About 1 in 7 workers
are employed in Manufacturing
Top 3 Industries % of total workers
Manufacturing 15%
Health care and social assistance 14.2%
Educational services 12.5%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the total civilian employed population age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers.

Top industry by gender

Male
Manufacturing employs the most men — 21% of 9,203 employed male workers
Female
Health care and social assistance employs the most women — 25.3% of 8,715 employed female workers
Note: Percentages reflect the share of employed males or females age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers.

Industries Distribution Table

Employment Distribution by Industries in Mecosta County
Share of employed residents 16 and older · by industry
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Total employed population 17,918 4,732,153 161,297,155
Agriculture and mining
Agriculture 2.9% 1% 1.2%
Mining and logging 0.2% 0.1% 0.4%
Construction 7.3% 5.9% 6.9%
Manufacturing 15% 18.2% 9.9%
Wholesale trade 1.1% 2% 2.2%
Retail trade 10.4% 10.8% 10.8%
Transportation and utilities
Transportation and warehousing 4.3% 4% 5.1%
Utilities 0.9% 0.8% 0.9%
Information 1.4% 1.2% 1.9%
Financial activities
Finance and Insurance 2.4% 4.4% 4.8%
Real estate and leasing 1.6% 1.4% 1.8%
Professional and business services
Professional and technical services 2.3% 6.3% 8.3%
Corporate management 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%
Administrative and waste services 3.1% 3.9% 4.2%
Education and health services
Educational services 12.5% 8.7% 9.4%
Health care and social assistance 14.2% 14.6% 14.1%
Leisure and hospitality
Arts and recreation 1.6% 1.8% 2.1%
Accommodation and food services 9% 6.7% 6.6%
Other services 5.5% 4.5% 4.7%
Government 4.2% 3.6% 4.7%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the total civilian employed population age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Type of Employer
Whether residents work for private companies, government agencies, or are self-employed

Employment by employer type

74.7% Private
Government 16.9%
Private Employment 74.7%
Self Employed 8.4%
Private employment (%)
Mecosta County 74.7%
Michigan 79.7%
United States 75.3%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the civilian employed population age 16+ by type of employer, including private-sector workers, government employees, and the self-employed.

Self-employed workers

8.4%
of the workers are self-employed
Category % of total workers
Incorporated business 2.9%
Unincorporated business 5.2%
Unpaid family workers 0.3%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of self-employed and unpaid family workers within the civilian employed population age 16+, excluding private-sector and government employees. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not add up.

Type of employer

Employment distribution by employer type in Mecosta County
Share of employed population 16 and older · by class of worker
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Private wage & salary 74.7% 79.7% 75.3%
For-profit company employees 65.8% 69.7% 66.5%
Not-for-profit employees 8.9% 9.9% 8.8%
Self-employed 8.4% 8.8% 10.1%
Incorporated business 2.9% 3.4% 4%
Unincorporated business 5.2% 5.2% 6%
Unpaid family workers 0.3% 0.2% 0.2%
Government 16.9% 11.6% 14.5%
Local government 7.7% 6.3% 7.6%
State government 7.7% 3.6% 4.2%
Federal government 1.5% 1.6% 2.7%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the civilian employed population age 16+ by type of employer, including private-sector workers, government employees, and the self-employed. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Commute & Job Access
How residents commute to work and how long their daily travel takes

Work From Home Rate

8.7% WFH
Work from home 8.7%
Commute to work 91.3%
Working from home (%)
Mecosta County 8.7%
Michigan 13.5%
United States 15.1%
Note: Percentages reflect workers age 16+ by work commute type, including those working from home and those commuting to a workplace.

Travel Time to Work

23.7 minutes
mean one-way travel time for commuters
Mean travel time (minutes)
Mecosta County 23.7
Michigan 24.2
United States 26.4
Note: Mean travel time measures the average one-way commute in minutes for employed residents 16+ who commute to work. It excludes those who worked from home.

Commute Patterns

Means of transportation and travel time to work in Mecosta County
Employed residents 16+.
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Total employed population 17,918 4,732,153 161,297,155
Worked from home 8.7% 13.5% 15.1%
Drove Alone 76.2% 74.3% 68.8%
Carpooled 8.6% 7.9% 8.5%
Public transportation 0.4% 0.9% 3.2%
Walked 4.4% 2% 2.4%
Bicycle, taxi & other means 1.8% 1.4% 2%
Commuting population 15,884 4,015,497 135,071,605
Mean travel time (minutes) 23.7 24.2 26.4
Less than 5 minutes 5.8% 3.4% 3%
5 to 14 minutes 34.4% 25.7% 23%
15 to 29 minutes 29.1% 38.5% 36.6%
30 to 44 minutes 13% 19.5% 20.8%
45 to 59 minutes 8.3% 6.9% 8%
60 to 89 minutes 7.3% 4.1% 5.8%
90 minutes or more 2.2% 1.9% 2.7%
Note: Means of transportation distribution shows the share of employed residents 16+ by how they primarily get to work. Travel time distribution and mean travel time are calculated only for commuting residents — those who did not work from home. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.

Wages & Earnings

What employed residents earn — by industry, occupation, and type of employer

Median Earnings

$48,403
median annual earnings · full-time year-round workers
Median annual earnings
Mecosta County $48,403
Michigan $60,916
United States $61,859
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older. Part-time and part-year workers are excluded.

Gender earnings gap

81 ¢
per $1 earned by men
women earning per $1 earned by male
Mecosta County 81¢
Michigan 79¢
United States 82¢
Note: Gender earnings gap measures how much women earn for every $1 earned by men, among full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older.
Top Earnings By industry
How median earnings vary across the industries where Mecosta County, Michigan workers are employed

Highest-paying industry

$77,857
Workers in Wholesale trade report the highest median earnings
Top Industries Median annual earnings
Wholesale trade $77,857
Utilities $77,000
Professional and technical services $67,244
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, based on the worker's industry of employment.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.

Highest-paying industry by gender

Male
Men working in Health care and social assistance earn the highest median earnings — $93,750, compared to $52,443 for all employed men
Female
Women working in Utilities earn the highest median earnings — $92,917, compared to $42,500 for all employed women
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by industry and gender.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.

Earnings Distribution Table

Earnings by industry in Mecosta County
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by industry
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Median Earnings $48,403 $60,916 $61,859
Agriculture and mining
Agriculture $48,177 $45,667 $45,892
Mining and logging $58,438 $77,279 $86,268
Construction $57,905 $60,962 $59,718
Manufacturing $49,762 $69,884 $65,243
Wholesale trade $77,857 $66,576 $64,875
Retail trade $36,553 $42,584 $44,926
Transportation and utilities
Transportation and warehousing $63,750 $58,107 $58,006
Utilities $77,000 $96,919 $91,656
Information $41,827 $67,392 $87,180
Financial activities
Finance and Insurance $42,009 $71,819 $83,271
Real estate and leasing $39,045 $59,925 $65,651
Professional and business services
Professional and technical services $67,244 $86,425 $99,546
Corporate management $— $89,837 $99,442
Administrative and waste services $36,654 $48,376 $47,120
Education and health services
Educational services $57,500 $63,401 $62,720
Health care and social assistance $50,522 $56,455 $58,751
Leisure and hospitality
Arts and recreation $21,515 $46,931 $51,274
Accommodation and food services $17,865 $34,535 $36,287
Other services $40,189 $48,144 $49,232
Government $61,798 $72,262 $75,907
Note:
1. Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by industry of employment.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.
Top Earnings By Employer Type
How median earnings vary depending on whether residents work for private businesses, government agencies, or are self-employed

Highest-paying employer type

$62,006
Workers in State government roles report the highest median earnings
Top employer types Median annual earnings
State government $62,006
Own incorporated business $61,591
Local government $54,750
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by class of worker.

Highest-paying employer type by gender

Male
Men in Own incorporated business roles earn the highest median earnings — $64,219, compared to $52,443 for all employed men
Female
Women in State government roles earn the highest median earnings — $61,188, compared to $42,500 for all employed women
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by employer type and gender.

Earnings by employer type

Earnings by employer type in Mecosta County
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by employer type
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Private wage & salary
For-profit company employees $45,158 $59,627 $60,496
Not-for-profit employees $52,286 $62,909 $65,589
Self-employed
Incorporated business $61,591 $71,950 $73,960
Unincorporated business $37,260 $46,301 $47,798
Government
Local government $54,750 $63,834 $63,995
State government $62,006 $69,791 $65,197
Federal government $45,833 $74,996 $83,481
Note: Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by class of worker.
Top Earnings By Occupations
How median earnings vary across the occupations Mecosta County, Michigan workers hold

Highest-paying occupation

$85,385
Workers in Doctors, nurses and medical professionals occupation report the highest median earnings
Top occupation groups Median annual earnings
Doctors, nurses and medical professionals $85,385
Computer and math $82,426
Law enforcement $64,656
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation group.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.

Highest-paying occupation by gender

Male
Among employed men, workers in Doctors, nurses and medical professionals occupations earn the highest median earnings — $107,865 versus $52,443 overall
Female
Among employed women, workers in Computer and math occupations earn the highest median earnings — $80,682 versus $42,500 overall
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation group and gender.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.

Earnings by occupation

Earnings by occupation in Mecosta County
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by occupation
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Median earnings(Total) $48,403 $60,916 $61,859
Management and business
Management $62,869 $91,295 $95,511
Business and finance $61,506 $79,710 $85,333
Technology and science
Computer and math $82,426 $94,508 $106,999
Architecture and engineering $50,662 $102,752 $102,526
Sciences $41,083 $71,403 $84,877
Education, legal, and arts
Community and Social Service $51,531 $60,163 $58,943
Legal $— $101,816 $113,997
Education, Training and Library $46,207 $61,490 $61,591
Arts, design and media $45,769 $65,416 $69,945
Healthcare
Doctors, Nurses & Medical Professionals $85,385 $88,789 $95,504
Health technicians $41,276 $52,396 $54,377
Healthcare support $32,303 $36,717 $37,780
Protective Service
Firefighting and emergency services $58,125 $56,329 $54,969
Law enforcement $64,656 $77,261 $78,427
Other services
Food preparation and serving $25,492 $31,198 $31,969
Building and grounds cleaning $32,778 $36,377 $36,545
Personal care and service $40,236 $33,716 $36,137
Sales and office
Sales $41,990 $56,778 $58,713
Office and Administrative Support $44,264 $47,605 $47,965
Trades and natural resources
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry $40,313 $40,725 $37,492
Construction and extraction $58,477 $58,358 $53,180
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair $49,408 $60,730 $60,226
Production and transportation
Production $44,394 $49,120 $48,805
Transportation $53,646 $54,230 $55,051
Material moving $36,250 $39,139 $38,558
Note:
1. Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.

Income & Financial Security

Earnings, income distribution, and economic pressure points

Household Income

What households earn, where income comes from, and how household structure shapes earnings

Median Household Income

$60,951
Median household income in Mecosta County
Median household income (USD)
Mecosta County
$60,951
Michigan
$72,875
United States
$80,734
Note:
1. Based on income across all household types in Mecosta County, including family and non-family households.
2. Median household income represents the midpoint of household incomes, with half of households earning more and half earning less.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Per capita income

$29,951
Per capita income in Mecosta County
Per capita income (USD)
Mecosta County
$29,951
Michigan
$40,735
United States
$44,673
Note:
1. Based on income across all residents in Mecosta County, per capita income represents the average income per person, calculated by dividing total income by the total population, including adults and children.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income level
How household income, per-capita income, and local earnings compare to broader benchmarks

Mean Household Income

$74,241
Average household income in Mecosta County
Avg household income (USD)
Mecosta County
$74,241
Michigan
$98,700
United States
$113,530
Note:
1. Based on income across all household types in Mecosta County, including family and non-family households, mean household income is the average of all household incomes and is often higher than the median due to the influence of higher-income households.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Mean vs median household income

$74,241
Mean household income
$60,951
Median household income
Mean-median gap (USD)
Mecosta County $13,290
Michigan $25,825
United States $32,796
Note:
1. A larger mean-median gap indicates greater income inequality, as it generally signals a wider concentration of income at the upper end of the distribution.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income Level

Household and per capita income in Mecosta County
Household, family, non-family, and per-capita income measures compared across Mecosta County and peer geographies.
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Total households 16,708 4,076,369 129,227,496
Median household income $60,951 $72,875 $80,734
Mean household income $74,241 $98,700 $113,530
Mean-median gap $13,290 $25,825 $32,796
Family households 10,299 2,545,621 82,990,528
Median family income $77,447 $93,357 $99,999
Mean family income $89,585 $119,824 $134,109
Mean-median gap $12,138 $26,467 $34,110
Non-family households 6,409 1,530,748 46,236,968
Median non-family income $34,229 $43,188 $48,618
Mean non-family income $44,480 $59,549 $71,134
Mean-median gap $10,251 $16,361 $22,516
Other Benchmarks
Per capita income $29,951 $40,735 $44,673
Note:
1. Household, family, and non-family income measures are based on their respective household types.
2. Per capita income is based on all residents and represents total income divided by the total population, including adults and children.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income sources
Where household income comes from, including wages, retirement income, and public assistance

Households with earnings

68.8%
of households have wages, salaries, or self-employment income
% households with earnings
Mecosta County
68.8%
Michigan
74%
United States
77.5%
Note: Includes households where at least one member received wages, salaries, or net self-employment income during the year.

Transfer income dependency

Social Security
40.2% of households (6,714) receive Social Security income, with an average annual benefit of $24,695
SSI (disability)
6.6% of households (1,111) receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), with an average annual benefit of $11,750
Cash Assistance
3.4% of households (561) receive cash public assistance income, with an average annual amount of $11,750
SNAP / Food Stamps
14.4% of households (2,402) receive SNAP (food stamp) benefits.
Note: Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income Sources

Income sources for households in Mecosta County
Share of households receiving each income type
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Total households 16,708 4,076,369 129,227,496
Wage-based income
With earnings 69% 74% 78%
Retirement and disability income
Social security 40% 35% 31%
Average social security income $24,695 $25,306 $24,367
Retirement income 33% 28% 24%
Average retirement income $24,943 $28,787 $33,349
SSI (Supplemental security) 7% 6% 5%
Average SSI income $11,750 $11,875 $11,477
Public assistance
SNAP / food stamps 14% 14% 12%
Cash assistance 3% 3% 3%
Note:
1. Percentages reflect the share of households receiving each income type during the year.
2. Categories are not mutually exclusive; households may receive more than one income type.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by household type
How income levels vary across different household and family structures

Median income by household type

$77,447
Family households earn $77,447, compared to $34,229 for those living alone or with non-relatives.
Median household income (USD)
All households
$60,951
Family households
$77,447
Nonfamily households
$34,229
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Median income by family type

$89,681
Married-couple families earn $89,681, compared to $47,727 for single-parent and other family types.
Median household income (USD)
All family households
$77,447
Married-couple families
$89,681
Other family types
$47,727
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Other family types include single-parent households and families headed by a householder with no spouse present.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income By Household Type

Median income by household and family size in Mecosta County
Median household and family income by household size in Mecosta County, compared with peer geographies.
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Total households 16,708 4,076,369 129,227,496
Household income by size
1-person $30,290 $38,062 $41,531
2-person $68,750 $82,268 $89,421
3-person $79,628 $100,664 $105,720
4-person $75,388 $117,396 $122,780
5-person $94,598 $114,011 $115,998
6-person $77,917 $102,498 $114,729
7-person or more $95,208 $100,623 $124,557
Total families 10,299 2,545,621 82,990,528
Family income by size
2-person $71,197 $80,783 $86,867
3-person $83,229 $100,388 $103,132
4-person $84,327 $119,786 $123,422
5-person $94,911 $115,892 $116,064
6-person $83,182 $101,267 $113,447
7-person or more $62,750 $97,760 $119,745
Note:
1. Household and family size includes all people living in the unit.
2. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income Distribution

How income is distributed across households and how evenly earnings are shared

Income Concentration

45.12%
of all household income is held by the top 20% of households
Bottom 20%
3.8%
of all household income
Top 20%
45.12%
of all household income
Key insights
  • The top fifth of households earn nearly half of all income in the area. The bottom fifth hold just 3.8% — meaning the top 20% hold 12 times the income share of the bottom 20%.
  • Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. Income shares are calculated by dividing each group's aggregate income by total household income. All households are ranked from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups of 20%.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

The Top 5%

$262,670
is the average income among the top 5% of households
Bottom 40% combined
13.86%
of all household income
Top 5% alone
17.69%
of all household income
Key insights
  • The top 5% of households earn an average of $262,670 and hold 17.69% of all household income — more than the entire bottom 40% of households combined, who hold just 13.86%
  • Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. The top 5% threshold represents the minimum income needed to rank among the highest-earning 5% of households. Average income figures reflect the mean within each group.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income ranges
The distribution of households across income ranges and how the local profile compares

Income Distribution

Under $50K
41.1%
$50K - $100K
34.7%
$100K - $150K
15.5%
$150K - $200K
5.1%
Over $200K
3.6%
Note:
1. Income ranges reflect gross household income before taxes. Percentages reflect the share of all households falling within each range.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Households earning $100K or more

24.2%
of all households, 4,032 in total, earn $100,000 or more
% $100k+
Mecosta County 24.2%
Michigan 35.4%
United States 40.5%
Note: Share reflects the percentage of all households with total annual income of $100,000 or more, based on gross household income before taxes.

Household income brackets

Household income brackets in Mecosta County
Distribution of households across income ranges, with cumulative shares in Mecosta County, compared with peer geographies.
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Median household income $60,951 $72,875 $80,734
Income bracket
Less than $10,000 5.4% 5.2% 5%
$10,000 to $14,999 4.8% 3.8% 3.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 8.4% 6.8% 6.3%
$25,000 to $34,999 9.7% 7.3% 6.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 12.8% 11.4% 10.1%
$50,000 to $74,999 18.9% 16.8% 15.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 15.8% 13.2% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 15.5% 17.3% 17.5%
$150,000 to $199,999 5.1% 8.6% 9.6%
$200,000 or more 3.6% 9.5% 13.4%
Cumulative Shares
Share below $35,000 28.3% 23.1% 21.3%
Share below $75,000 60% 51.3% 46.9%
Share above $100,000 24.2% 35.4% 40.5%
Note:
1. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income inequality
How evenly income is distributed within the community and how inequality compares with broader geographies

Gini Index of Income Inequality

Low High
0.42
Scale: 0 (Perfect Equality) – 1 (Perfect Inequality)
Gini index
Mecosta County 0.42
Michigan 0.47
United States 0.48
Note: The Gini Index measures the distribution of income across households. Values range from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (perfect inequality), with higher values indicating greater income inequality.

Earnings Gap

$167,500
is the average income of the top 20% of households
Avg income for top 20% ($)
Mecosta County
$167,500
Michigan
$246,499
United States
$293,336
Key insights
Note:
1. Income shares are calculated by dividing each group's aggregate income by total household income. All households are ranked from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups of 20%.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Household income distribution

Household income distribution by income groups — upper limits, mean incomes, and income shares in Mecosta County
Distribution of household income across five equal groups
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Highest household income in each group ($)
Bottom 20% $26,561 $30,838 $33,040
Lower 20% $48,648 $57,668 $63,330
Middle 20% $74,846 $90,609 $101,088
Upper 20% $110,241 $142,884 $162,235
Top 5% threshold $176,762 $250,001 $250,001
Average household income within each group ($)
Bottom 20% $14,117 $15,975 $17,079
Lower 20% $37,346 $44,010 $48,012
Middle 20% $60,804 $73,247 $81,211
Upper 20% $91,440 $113,771 $128,012
Top 20% $167,500 $246,499 $293,336
Top 5% $262,670 $431,408 $528,428
Share of total income (%)
Bottom 20% 3.8% 3.24% 3.01%
Lower 20% 10.06% 8.92% 8.46%
Middle 20% 16.38% 14.84% 14.31%
Upper 20% 24.63% 23.05% 22.55%
Top 20% 45.12% 49.95% 51.67%
Top 5% 17.69% 21.85% 23.27%
Note:
1. All households are ranked by income from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups, each representing 20% of households.
2. Bottom 20% = the lowest-earning 20% of households; Top 20% = the highest-earning 20%.
3. The top 5% threshold is the minimum income needed to be among the highest-earning 5% of households.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by race & ethnicity
How household income levels vary across racial and ethnic groups within the area

Median Household Income · White vs. Black Households

White
Among the 15,545 White households (93% of all households), the median household income is $62,130.
Black
Among the 193 Black or African American households (1.2% of all households), the median household income is $11,458.
Note:
1. White and Black race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income by race and ethnicity

Median Household Income by race and Hispanic origin in Mecosta County
Median household income by race and Hispanic origin, compared to the Michigan and United States.
Mecosta County Michigan United States
All Residents $60,951 $72,875 $80,734
White $62,130 $77,815 $86,271
Black or African American $11,458 $45,398 $55,157
American Indian and Alaska Native $26,818 $57,731 $62,420
Asian $71,250 $108,469 $116,503
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander $— $86,250 $81,811
Some Other Race $52,188 $63,556 $67,563
Two or more races (Multiracial) $47,857 $69,346 $75,660
Hispanic or Latino $49,837 $67,116 $71,415
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Poverty

Poverty levels across the community and the groups most affected

Poverty Rate

19.9%
19.9% of residents, or 7,752 people, live below the poverty line.
% poverty rate
Mecosta County
19.9%
Michigan
13.2%
United States
12.5%
Note: The poverty rate reflects the share of the total population with income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Working Poor

5.4%
5.4% of full-time, year-round workers, or 581 people, earn below the poverty line despite working full time.
% full-time workers in poverty
Mecosta County
5.4%
Michigan
2.3%
United States
2.3%
Note: The working poor rate measures the share of full-time, year-round civilian workers age 16+ whose income falls below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Poverty levels
How widespread poverty is within the area and how local levels compare with broader geographies

CHILD POVERTY RATE

24.6%
24.6% of children under 18, or 1,913 children, live below the poverty line.
Child poverty rate (%)
Mecosta County
24.6%
Michigan
17.6%
United States
16.1%
Note: Child poverty rate reflects the share of residents under age 18 with household income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

SENIOR POVERTY RATE

10.1%
10.1% of adults aged 65 and older, or 835 seniors, live below the poverty line.
Senior poverty rate (%)
Mecosta County
10.1%
Michigan
9.9%
United States
10.8%
Note: Senior poverty rate reflects the share of residents aged 65 and over with income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Poverty Rates

Poverty distribution by age, sex, and work engagement
Share of population below the federal poverty level
Mecosta County Michigan United States
Overall poverty rate 19.9% 13.2% 12.5%
Poverty by age
Under 18 years 24.6% 17.6% 16.1%
Under 5 years 25.1% 19.3% 17.3%
5 to 17 years 24.5% 17.1% 15.7%
18 to 64 years 21.7% 12.7% 11.6%
18 to 34 years 33% 15.8% 14.2%
35 to 64 years 14.9% 10.9% 10.1%
65 years and over 10.1% 9.9% 10.8%
Poverty by sex
Male 20.6% 12% 11.3%
Female 19.1% 14.4% 13.6%
Poverty by work engagement
Worked full time, year-round 5.4% 2.3% 2.3%
Worked part time or part year 28.8% 15.5% 15%
Did not work 23.3% 21% 21.4%
Note:
1. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
2. Work engagement categories are based on weeks and hours worked in the prior 12 months.
Poverty by household type
How poverty rates vary across family structures and household types

Poverty by household type

18.9%
of all households are below the poverty level
poverty rate (%)
All households
18.9%
Family
11.3%
Nonfamily
31.2%
Key insights
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.

Poverty among family households

11.3%
of families are below the poverty level
poverty rate (%)
All families
11.3%
Married-couple
7.7%
Other families
21.6%
Key insights
Note:
1. Married-couple families and other families are subsets of family households, which include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Other family types are predominantly single-parent households.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.

Poverty by household type

Poverty rates by household type and age of householder in Mecosta County
Share of households below the federal poverty level by type and householder age
Mecosta County Michigan United States
FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS
All ages 11.3% 8.9% 8.8%
Householder under 25 years 29.3% 30% 24.6%
Householder 25 to 44 years 18.9% 13.3% 12.2%
Householder 45 to 64 years 7.8% 6.6% 6.5%
Householder 65 years and over 5.8% 5.1% 6%
NON FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS
All ages 31.2% 20.5% 19.4%
Householder under 25 years 75.5% 36.4% 35.7%
Householder 25 to 44 years 26.4% 14.5% 12.2%
Householder 45 to 64 years 26.7% 24% 21.7%
Householder 65 years and over 17.7% 18.4% 20%
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
3. Householder age reflects the age of the person in whose name the housing unit is owned or rented.
4. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty by race & ethnicity
How poverty rates vary across racial and ethnic groups and how those differences compare locally

Poverty by race — Black vs. White

White
18.5% of White residents, or 6,561 people, live below the poverty line.
Black
63% of Black or African American residents, or 409 people, live below the poverty line.
Note:
1. White and Black race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.

Poverty by race and ethnicity

Poverty rates by race and Hispanic origin in Mecosta County
Share of population below the federal poverty level in Mecosta County and peer geographies.
Mecosta County Michigan United States
All Residents 19.9% 13.2% 12.5%
White 18.5% 10.5% 9.7%
Black or African American 63% 26.5% 21.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native 37.7% 19.7% 21.1%
Asian 13.4% 10.9% 9.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander —% 16.6% 16.8%
Some Other Race 33.4% 19% 18.2%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 26.2% 15.9% 14.6%
Hispanic or Latino 31.9% 18% 16.7%
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.

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