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COUNTY

Berrien County

Michigan · 152,444 residents (2025 est.) · 568 sq mi
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The short version

Berrien County is home to 153,288 people in Michigan. At a median age of 42.7, this is an older place than the country as a whole. Home values have more than doubled since 2000, reaching $224,300. The foreign-born share is 5%. 73% of homes are owner-occupied. Median rent is $942 a month.

At a glance
Lower income
median household income $65,425, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.7
US median: 38.9
Average education
31% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place

What stands out about Berrien County

What changed most since 1990

  • White share81.8% → 72.7% (−9.1 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts

Among the 83 counties in Michigan

  • 35th in household income$65,425
  • 20th in share with a bachelor's degree30.9%
  • 20th in home value$224,300
  • 10th in diversity score55.8
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
153,288
−6%since 2000
from 162,453 in 2000
152,444 in 2025 (Census Bureau estimate)
1990 – 2025
Population density
270 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 286 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.7
+14%since 2000
from 37.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Land area
568 sq mi
Population, 1990 – 2024
152K155K158K161K163K19902000201020202024Berrien County
2024153K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2024
Under 55.3%(8,057)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 96.1%(9,300)
US avg: 6%
10 to 146%(9,253)
US avg: 6.4%
15 to 196.2%(9,487)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 245.9%(8,984)
US avg: 6.5%
25 to 3411.4%(17,488)
US avg: 13.7%
35 to 4411.9%(18,204)
US avg: 13.2%
45 to 5411.8%(18,128)
US avg: 12.2%
55 to 6414.1%(21,684)
US avg: 12.7%
65 to 7412.6%(19,332)
US avg: 10.2%
75 to 845.9%(9,018)
US avg: 5.1%
85 and over2.8%(4,353)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$65,425
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,567 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,351
+92%since 2000
from $19,952 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
43.5%
+17.8 ptssince 2009
from 25.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.1%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 12.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.475
+2%since 2010
from 0.467 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade19.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Information10.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance6.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade5.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services2.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$224,300
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $93,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$942
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $476 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 72.3% in 2000
27.2% rent
Vacancy rate
17.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 17.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
2.35 people
−4%since 2009
from 2.45 people in 2009
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
20.3%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 24.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.4
+8%since 2009
from 3.2 in 2009
1990 – 2024
Years of local income it takes to buy a local home, on a scale of about 0 to 15. Lower is more affordable.
Gentrification Score
57
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means faster recent growth in incomes, home values, and college degrees.
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic78.1%(126,798)
Black15.8%(25,729)
Hispanic / Latino3%(4,888)
Asian1.1%(1,839)
Other0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic72.7%(111,455)
Black13.1%(20,019)
Hispanic / Latino6.3%(9,697)
Asian1.8%(2,760)
Other6.1%(9,357)
Diversity Score
56
+21%since 2009
from 46 in 2009
1990 – 2024
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Segregation Score
43
−10%since 2020
from 47 in 2020
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means White and non-White residents are more separated across neighborhoods.
Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Hispanic origin
Mexican4.7%(7,166)
Puerto Rican0.6%(854)
Guatemalan0.2%(328)
Cuban0.2%(249)
Peruvian0.1%(203)
Venezuelan0.1%(161)
Dominican0.1%(97)
Spaniard0.1%(79)
Colombian0%(65)
Argentine0%(64)
+ 7 more hispanic origin groups with data
Asian origin
Asian Indian0.5%(780)
Filipino0.3%(455)
Chinese0.3%(394)
Korean0.2%(353)
Indonesian0.1%(133)
Vietnamese0.1%(114)
Pakistani0.1%(103)
Japanese0.1%(95)
Laotian0%(49)
Malaysian0%(46)
Taiwanese0%(21)
+ 5 more asian origin groups with data
Thai0%(15)
Cambodian0%(10)
Hmong0%(5)
Pacific Islander origin
Samoan0%(46)
Ancestry
German22.5%(34,468)
English10.9%(16,699)
Irish10.3%(15,856)
Polish4.4%(6,734)
Italian4%(6,056)
American3.2%(4,920)
Dutch2.6%(4,034)
French2%(3,017)
Scottish1.8%(2,742)
Swedish1.8%(2,683)
Norwegian1.2%(1,775)
+ 47 more ancestry groups with data
Hungarian1%(1,477)
Czech0.8%(1,219)
Russian0.6%(975)
Welsh0.6%(919)
Scotch-Irish0.5%(703)
West Indian0.4%(561)
Swiss0.3%(534)
British0.3%(513)
Lithuanian0.3%(493)
Finnish0.3%(430)
Danish0.3%(395)
Greek0.2%(377)
Ukrainian0.2%(358)
Slovak0.2%(321)
Brazilian0.2%(318)
Canadian0.2%(286)
Austrian0.2%(272)
Arab0.2%(256)
Belgian0.2%(246)
Jamaican0.2%(244)
Croatian0.2%(243)
Ghanaian0.1%(182)
Serbian0.1%(181)
Portuguese0.1%(127)
Lebanese0.1%(113)
Romanian0.1%(111)
Haitian0.1%(106)
Armenian0.1%(86)
Palestinian0.1%(83)
Iranian0%(73)
Latvian0%(42)
Slovene0%(37)
Syrian0%(29)
Nigerian0%(24)
Kenyan0%(19)
Barbadian0%(16)
Ethiopian0%(11)
Iraqi0%(7)
Turkish0%(5)
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.9%
+11.3 ptssince 2000
from 19.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.3%
+10.3 ptssince 2000
from 81.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
12.4%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 7.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.2 min
+62%since 2000
from 13.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.4%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 83.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.3%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.2%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.7%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.2%
−4.8 ptssince 2011
from 11.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.9%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 62.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Women 20-64 in the labor force
74.1%
+0.8 ptssince 2020
from 73.3% in 2020
US average: 74.6%
Self-employed
12.4%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.1%
+5.7 ptssince 2009
from 32.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Female
50.8%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Foreign born
5.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.1%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2012
from 14.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.4%
−6.5 ptssince 2013
from 12.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.3%
+16.9 ptssince 2017
from 72.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
Computer in household
93.9%
+4.4 ptssince 2020
from 89.5% in 2020
US average: 95.5%
Same house as last year
89.1%
+2.9 ptssince 2020
from 86.2% in 2020
US average: 87.7%
English only at home
92.1%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 92.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2016
from 3.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married34.2%(21,146)
Married51.8%(31,978)
Widowed3.2%(1,958)
Divorced10.9%(6,704)
Women 15+
Never married29%(18,841)
Married49.4%(32,052)
Widowed8.7%(5,672)
Divorced12.8%(8,327)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Section 09

Health coverage

Uninsured
6.4%
−6.5 ptssince 2013
from 12.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Employer-based
52.6%
−1.9 ptssince 2020
from 54.5% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
15.2%
−0.7 ptssince 2020
from 15.9% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
Medicare
22.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2020
from 22.4% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
Medicaid
25.2%
+0.8 ptssince 2020
from 24.4% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
1.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2020
from 2.4% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
65.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2020
from 67.1% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
44.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2020
from 43.2% in 2020
US average: 36.7%

Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.

Section 09 · Service history

Veterans

Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)16.8%(1,234)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)20.4%(1,494)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era38.1%(2,790)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War4.7%(343)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II1.6%(116)
US avg: 1%

Share of the 7,328 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.

BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time

Berrien County, decade by decade

Berrien County population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
YearPopulationMedian household incomeMedian home valueBachelor's degree+Diversity score
1990161,378$65,390$126,48416.7%38.3
2000162,453$70,256$169,96019.6%45.5
2010156,813$61,319$195,07023.3%49.3
2020154,316$63,632$190,89627.6%56.5
2024153,288$65,425$224,30030.9%55.8

Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Berrien County

Warren County
Pop 149,375
Penobscot County
Pop 157,967
Monroe County
Pop 143,345
Rock Island County
Pop 141,869
Places similar to Berrien County
Head to head

Compare Berrien County to nearby counties

BERRIEN COUNTY VS
LaPorte County
Income$71,055+9%
Home value$195,500−13%
Population111,294−27%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BERRIEN COUNTY VS
Porter County
Income$87,972+34%
Home value$281,500+26%
Population176,049+15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BERRIEN COUNTY VS
St. Joseph County
Income$66,868+2%
Home value$192,800−14%
Population272,861+79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BERRIEN COUNTY VS
Starke County
Income$63,960−2%
Home value$157,700−30%
Population23,425−85%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Berrien County, Michigan?

Berrien County, Michigan has about 153,288 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Berrien County, Michigan?

The typical household in Berrien County, Michigan earns about $65,425 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Berrien County, Michigan expensive?

In Berrien County, Michigan, the median home is worth about $224,300, and the typical rent is about $942 a month.

How educated are people in Berrien County, Michigan?

About 30.9% of adults age 25 and over in Berrien County, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Berrien County, Michigan?

About 15.1% of people in Berrien County, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has Berrien County, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, Berrien County, Michigan has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 8,090 residents, a change of about -5 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →