Select a dataset category among those listed above for regional dashboards and reports.
This article is part of an ongoing, county-by county, overview of the Tri-County Area. This article covers household income and income distribution in Eaton County. This information helps track how well residents can afford basic needs like housing, food, and healthcare as well as relative prosperity compared to other areas.
In recent years, Eaton County has experienced gains in median household income, reflecting a growing local economy. Figure 1 shows that besides a few declines, the median household income has increased overall between 2013 and 2023. As of 2023, Eaton County’s median household income is approximately $73,000, only $5,000 smaller than the overall United States (about $78,000).
Between 2022 and 2023, Eaton County’s median household income increased 2.3%. While not the largest year-to-year gain on record, the upward trend is nevertheless encouraging. In January 2025, Matrix Consulting Engineers announced plans to expand their mechanical and electrical operations in Delta Township, Eaton County, creating 55 new jobs.[1] Investments like this signal that the region offers both the talent pool and quality of life needed to attract employees. Rising household incomes, in turn, reinforce the area’s capacity to support future economic development opportunities. Overall, rising median household income indicates improving economic conditions and greater financial well-being for residents.
Figure 1: Median Household Income, 2013-2023
Source: Points Consulting using Michigan Capital Region Data Hub
Figure 2 shows the cumulative change in median household income from 2013 to 2023. Eaton County’s income growth was steady throughout the decade, though it generally trailed Michigan and the United States. Notably, the county briefly outpaced both the state and the nation in 2014, 2017, and 2018, reflecting periods when local economic conditions were especially favorable. These surges suggest that with the right drivers such as new employers, rising wages, or population growth, Eaton County has the potential to close the gap with state and national trends.
Figure 2: Cumulative Growth in Median Household Income, 2013-2023
Figure 3 shows that the majority of households in Eaton County fall within higher income brackets. In 2023, only 29.5% of households earned less than $50,000 annually, while 52.1% earned $75,000 or more. What stands out is the concentration in the middle-to-upper tiers. The single largest income group is households earning between $75,000 and $99,999, representing a notable peak in the distribution.
The next two largest groups are $100,000–$124,999 and $60,000–$74,999, suggesting that middle- and upper-middle-income households make up the core of the County’s income profile. This income profile provides a stable tax base for public investments in infrastructure and services, while also making the County an appealing location for new businesses and residential development.
Figure 3: Eaton County, Household Income Distribution, 2023
[1] MEDC Communications, “155 New Jobs, Nearly $16.5 Million in Capital Investment coming to Eaton, Kent Counties,” Michigan Economic Development Corporation, January 30th, 2025, https://www.michiganbusiness.org/press-releases/2025/01/capital-investment-eaton-kent/
