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 Ingham 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.

Median Household Income

The median household income in Ingham County remains below the national average. However, except for a brief dip between 2020 and 2021, it has grown steadily over time (Figure 1). As of 2023, Ingham County’s median household income was approximately $63,000, about $14,000 less than the U.S. median of $78,000.

Between 2022 and 2023, incomes in Ingham County continued to rise, experiencing a 4.8% increase, the third-highest annual growth rate in the past decade. In April 2024, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced that Centrus Medical LLC, a medical device manufacturer, would expand operations into Ingham County, creating 25 new jobs.^[1]

New business investment in the county indicates that, although median income levels remain below those of other areas, the region still offers the skilled workforce and quality of life needed to attract employers. Continued growth in household incomes enhances the county’s capacity to support future economic development and reflects improving financial well-being for residents.

Figure 1: Median Household Income, 2013-2023

Source: Points Consulting using Michigan Capital Region Data Hub

Figure 2 illustrates the cumulative change in median household income from 2013 to 2023. Ingham County’s income growth remained steady over the decade, though it generally lagged behind both Michigan and the United States. Notably, the county briefly outpaced state and national trends in 2020, likely reflecting efforts by Michigan employers to raise wages to attract or retain workers during the pandemic recovery period.^[2] Although Ingham County’s median income remains lower than some comparable areas, the region demonstrates steady growth in household income.

Figure 2: Cumulative Growth in Median Household Income, 2013-2023

 

Source: Points Consulting using Michigan Capital Region Data Hub

Figure 3 shows that the majority of households in Ingham County fall within higher income brackets. In 2023, 39.5% of households earned less than $50,000 annually, while 42.9% 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 $60,000–$74,999 and $100,000–$124,999, suggesting that middle- and upper-middle-income households make up the core of the County’s income profile. Middle and higher-income households are less likely to experience housing insecurity which can translate into a more stable workforce with less turnover.

Figure 3: Ingham County, Household Income Distribution, 2023

 

Source: Points Consulting using Michigan Capital Region Data Hub