Montcalm County Income Charts

This section shows the Montcalm County Michigan economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2019 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Montcalm County shows it has a median earnings per worker of $40,265 which is in the middle range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Kent County which shows a median earnings of $45,176 (12.2% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $47,712, Montcalm County is about 18.5% smaller. Also, versus the state of Michigan, median earnings per worker of $47,411, Montcalm County is about 17.7% smaller.

In Figure 2 a more complete view of income is shown which aggregates income from all members in the household and it has a median household income of $47,000 which is the third most median income of all other counties in the greater Montcalm County region. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Kent County which shows a median income of $60,351 (28.4% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $60,293, Montcalm County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of Michigan, median household income of $54,938, Montcalm County is about 16.9% smaller.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Montcalm County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it has the percentage of earnings less than $10,000 less than most other counties in the metro area at 20.0% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of earnings between $15,000 and $19,999 at 8.3% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has an average hours of 38.3 which is the second most average hours of all the counties in the greater Montcalm County region. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Newaygo County which depicts an average hours of 38.6 ( about the same size). Dividing median annual worker earnings by the average number of hours worked in a year in Figure 6 shows that it has an average hourly earnings of $20.22 which is the smallest as measured by average hourly earnings of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Kent County which shows an average hourly earnings of $22.86 (13.1% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $23.71, Montcalm County is about 17.3% smaller. Also, in comparison with the state of Michigan, average hourly earnings of $23.87, Montcalm County is about 18.1% smaller.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Montcalm County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Montcalm County depicts it has a percentage of people self employed of 8.8% which is the second smallest in order of percentage of people self employed of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Isabella County which indicates a percentage self employed of 10.9% (24.0% larger).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, it has the largest proportion of median income-under 25 years at $38,886 of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has in the middle range of other counties in the metro area in terms of median income-25 to 44 years at $53,036 of the total. Third, it has the second smallest when ranked by median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the area when sorted by median income-45 to 64 years at $54,967 of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of median income-65 years and over at $33,212 of the total.

The next chart (Figure 11) shows the percentage of households that had retirement income over the last 12 months and it has a households with retirement income of 23.3% which is the second most households with retirement income of all the counties in the greater Montcalm County region. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Mecosta County which depicts a households with retirement income of 25.2% (7.8% larger).

In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and has the smallest proportion of overall family income at $54,860 of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of white family income at $54,813 of the total. Third, it has in the mid range of other counties in the metro area when sorted by american indian family income at $50,938 of the total. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of hispanic family income at $51,250 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Ionia County ($51,750), and #1 Mecosta County ($61,250) are larger.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Montcalm County shows it has the hightest cost of 103.7 for the cost of transportation aggregate.

Montcalm County Labor Force Charts

The next two charts look at very recent, monthly trended employment related performance using data estimated by economists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS tracks unemployment statistics for a large number of areas throughout the country on a month to month basis. However, not every location in the U.S. is tracked by the BLS so the chart will only show the closest location available (which may be the same location.) Figure 14 shows the monthly unemployment rate for the area as well as a comparison to the overall national economy measure for the United States. Note that in March to April 2020, the Covid 19 recession or great recession occurred and affects this metric. It depicts that from January 2010 to before the disasterous COVID-19 Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 16.5% to 3.7% in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 77.6%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 9.5% This represents an increase in the monthly unemployment rate of 156.8%. In Figure 15 the monthly labor force participation which are people actively looking for work are also defined as unemployed but do not include people who have given up looking for work. It shows that from January 2010 to before the disasterous Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 27,657 to 28,037 in March 2020. This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of very little. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 29,045 This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of 3.6%.

The next two charts look at the annual unemployment rate/eligible for unemployment benefits and is based on the American Community survey. Figure 16 shows Montcalm County depicts it has an unemployment rate of 2.9% which is the smallest as measured by unemployment rate of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Isabella County which depicts a rate of 4.6% (62.8% larger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Montcalm County depicts it has a participation rate of 56.2% which is in the middle range of other counties in the local area.

The Components of Employment Status graph in Figure 18 shows the composition of the labor force broken down by employed, unemployed, and not in the labor force (but 16 years of age or older). Montcalm County has the smallest proportion of unemployed at 2.9% of the total.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Montcalm County depicts full time employees approximately 2.9 times bigger as the part time employees.

The next employment related data item is shown in Figure 21 which is the percentage of families with only a single earner in the greater Montcalm County area. Montcalm County shows it has a families with a single earner of 27.2% which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Gratiot County which depicts a single earners rate of 29.0% (6.6% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Montcalm County depicts it has a families with no one working of 22.3% which is the third most of all other counties in the local area. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Mecosta County which depicts a families with no worker of 27.0% (21.2% larger).

Montcalm County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Montcalm County community. This performance can be enhanced by government programs such as economic opportunity zone to influence manufacturing, job growth, economic opportunity an hopefully lead to economic recovery after the recent Covid 19 recession. In Figure 23 the total number of people earning less than the poverty level are shown. Montcalm County depicts it has a total people earning less than the poverty level of 9,957 which is the third most of all other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Kent County which shows a total people earning less than the poverty level of 79,362 ( substantially bigger).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Montcalm County depicts it has a percent of people earning less than the poverty level of 16.5% which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Isabella County which depicts a percent of people in poverty of 26.5% (61.1% larger).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Montcalm County has the largest proportion of person in poverty 12 to 17 years at 11% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the second smallest as measured by person in poverty under 12 years of all the other counties in the metro area as measured by person in poverty 18 to 34 years at 23% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of person in poverty 35 to 54 years at 23% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Montcalm County has the percentage of black poverty rate the second smallest when sorted by white poverty rate of all the other counties in the greater region at 8% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of asian poverty rate at 8% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of hawaiian poverty rate at 83% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the smallest proportion of hispanicp poverty rate at 18% of the total. Figure 29 looks at only those people who make less than the poverty level of income and breaks down there employment status. Montcalm County has the smallest proportion of people who are in poverty and employed at 15.1% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who are in poverty and unemployed at 3.0% of the total. Additionally, Figure 30 looks at the percentage of people who receive some form of public assistance including general assistance, temporary assistance or food stamps (i.e. SNAP.) Montcalm County shows it has a households with public assistance of 15.3% which is in the mid range of other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Newaygo County which shows a households with public assistance of 18.9% (24.1% larger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Montcalm County depicts it has a the gini index of 42.0% which is the second smallest when sorted by the gini index of all the other counties in the area.

Montcalm County Work Commute Charts

The following set of charts detail a variety of metrics that have economic impact, economic grow factors and economic development metrics in the Montcalm County community and has an impact on other factors such as economic growth, population growth, economic recovery, job growth, etc.. Figure 32 shows a high level view of how the population commutes to work (including the percent of people who work from home.) Montcalm County has the smallest proportion of people who bicycle or walk to work at 2% of the total. Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Montcalm County or elsewhere.) Montcalm County has the largest proportion of people who drove alone at 83% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Montcalm County has one of the largest proportions of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am at 8% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Newaygo County (9%), and #1 Mecosta County (10%) are larger. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 5am to 530am at 8% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 10am to 11am at 2% of the total.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Montcalm County has the percentage of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes less than most other counties in the greater region at 13% of the total. Second, it has less than most other counties in the local area when ranked by people with commute time between 10 to 14 minutes at 13% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 15 to 19 minutes at 10% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 20 to 24 minutes at 8% of the total. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 60 to 89 minutes at 9% of the total and is ranked #1. Furthermore, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time of 90 or more minutesutes at 3% of the total and is ranked #1.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Montcalm County shows it has an average commute time of 30 which is more than all other counties in the metropolitan area. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Montcalm County shows average commute time in minutes for men 50.5% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Montcalm County has the smallest proportion of 1 vehicle available at 16% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of 4 vehicles available at 12% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Montcalm County shows it has a people who both work and live in the same city of 35% which is less than most other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Mecosta County which shows a people who both work and live in the same city of 56% (58.6% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 42%, Montcalm County is about 19.1% smaller. Also, measured against the state of Michigan, people who both work and live in the same city of 30%, Montcalm County is 17.7% larger.

Montcalm County Jobs Charts

The next to charts break out the median earnings for major job categories for men and women. Figure 46 shows the median earnings of men for the job categories. Montcalm County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $70,682 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations group. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Montcalm County indicates it has the hightest median earnings of $56,510 for the earnings-protective service occupations group. The table in Figure 48, shows Montcalm County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Montcalm County Self Employment Charts

Figure 49 shows economic activity in terms of the number of people who are self employed in incorporated local business by industry. Montcalm County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 28% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses aggregate.

Similar to the last chart is Figure 50 which shows the number of people who are self employed but in more detailed industry categories such as manufacturing, retail sales, residential real estate, commercial real estate, health care, exports/imports, and advanced industries, etc. Montcalm County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 29% for the self employed in construction group.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Montcalm County shows it has an average annual self employment income of $31,891 which is the third most average annual self employment income of all other counties in the greater Montcalm County region. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Kent County which shows an average annual self employment income of $34,690 (8.8% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $37,819, Montcalm County is about 18.6% smaller. Also, measured against the state of Michigan, average annual self employment income of $31,109, Montcalm County is only about 2.5% larger.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Montcalm County depicts total number of self-employed men about twice as large as the total number of self-employed women.