countyscore
46.4
County Score
Health 88.1Income & Jobs 77.8Lawn Care 67.3

County Report Card

About Barry County, Michigan

Slightly Below National Median

Barry County earns a composite score of 46.2, placing it just under the national median of 50.0. The county struggles to maintain national averages due to infrastructure and housing costs.

Near the Michigan Average

With a score of 46.2, Barry County sits right near the Michigan state average of 47.1. Its profile is typical for the region, balancing high income with high expenses.

Strong Health and Income

Health is a standout feature with a score of 88.1, one of the best in the state. The Income Score of 81.4 also reflects a prosperous workforce with a median household income of $77,873.

Water and Cost Pressures

The Water Score is very low at 14.0, indicating a potential weakness in local utilities. High housing costs also weigh on the profile, resulting in a Cost Score of only 29.0.

Great for Health-Conscious Professionals

Barry County is best for families and professionals who value high-end health services and have the income to afford local housing. While utility infrastructure is a concern, the economic base remains strong.

2040608010032.129.849.788.129.777.8541452.1Tax32.1Cost29.8Safety49.7Health88.1Schools29.7Income77.8Risk54Water14Weather52.146.4/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Barry County DNA

Foverall

How Barry County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Barry County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (88.1/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (14/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
32.1-19.9
Cost
29.8-18.2
Safety
49.7
Health
88.1+38.099999999999994
Schools
29.7-24.3
Income
77.8+26.799999999999997
Risk
54
Water
14-44
Weather
52.1
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$264,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$972/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$264,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$38,880/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $77,500/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

4.8

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Washington County
Georgia
Median income: $46,023
46.4
Clark County
Kentucky
Median income: $64,348
46.4
Stoddard County
Missouri
Median income: $57,957
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Obion County
Tennessee
Median income: $54,613
46.4
Pacific County
Washington
Median income: $67,081
46.4
Juneau County
Wisconsin
Median income: $67,270
46.4
Long County
Georgia
Median income: $68,808
46.5
Rockdale County
Georgia
Median income: $77,247
46.3

Nearby counties

Eaton County
Michigan
39.5
Ionia County
Michigan
50.5
Calhoun County
Michigan
29
Kalamazoo County
Michigan
30.9
Allegan County
Michigan
40.6
Kent County
Michigan
36.7
Clinton County
Michigan
33.7
Ingham County
Michigan
37.9

Deep Dives

Barry County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Barry County

via TaxByCounty

Barry taxes slightly above national median

Barry's 1.110% effective tax rate sits just above the national median of 1.1%, placing it near the 53rd percentile. At $2,706 in annual median taxes, the county's burden nearly matches the national median of $2,690.

Very close to Michigan's average rate

Barry's 1.110% effective rate sits just 0.06 percentage points below Michigan's 1.166% average, positioning it squarely in the middle of the state. The median tax of $2,706 is $604 above the state median, reflecting higher home values.

Nearly identical to Allegan County's burden

Barry (1.110%) and Allegan County (1.133%) are southwest Michigan neighbors with nearly identical tax rates, sitting slightly below the state average. Both communities offer comparable tax burdens for homeowners.

What your $243,700 home costs

The typical Barry County homeowner with a $243,700 property pays around $2,706 annually in taxes. Over 30 years, that amounts to approximately $81,180.

Growing counties warrant regular assessments

Barry County's middle-of-the-road tax rate doesn't guarantee accurate individual assessments; development and changing market values affect specific properties differently. Request a recent assessment review from your local assessor and compare to recent sales of comparable homes in your neighborhood.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Barry County

via IncomeByCounty

Barry income exceeds national average

Barry County's median household income of $77,873 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $3,118—placing it solidly above the national benchmark. This 4% advantage reflects the county's strong manufacturing base and proximity to growth markets.

Top-tier Michigan county income

At $77,873, Barry ranks well above Michigan's county average of $64,304, sitting in the state's top quarter. Its per capita income of $39,955 also surpasses the state average of $35,451, indicating broadly distributed prosperity.

Second-strongest in southwest region

Barry's $77,873 median income ranks just behind Allegan County ($80,255), positioning it as a co-leader in southwest Michigan. Together with Allegan and Antrim, Barry represents the state's strongest-earning region.

Strong income with manageable housing

Barry's rent-to-income ratio of 14.7% is well below affordability thresholds, and its median home value of $243,700 is easily supportable by median incomes. Households enjoy substantial room to build savings and invest.

Capitalize on above-average earning power

With income above both state and national averages, Barry households should aggressively pursue wealth-building strategies. Max out retirement contributions, diversify investments, consider real estate opportunities, and plan for multi-generational financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Barry County

via CrimeByCounty

Barry County Provides a Secure Environment

Barry County reports a total crime rate of 1,132.9 per 100K, which is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This performance earns the county a high safety score of 98.2. It remains much safer than most counties across the United States.

Ranking High for Safety in Michigan

The county’s safety score of 98.2 is better than the Michigan state average of 97.8. Its total crime rate of 1,132.9 is also notably lower than the state-wide average of 1,371.8. Barry County is a safe choice for Michigan residents.

Comparing Safety with Allegan County

Barry County’s crime rate of 1,132.9 is significantly lower than neighboring Allegan County’s 1,766.4. It maintains a more rural safety profile while still being close to major population centers. Local law enforcement keeps crime levels well-controlled compared to surrounding areas.

Low Rates for Violent Offenses

The violent crime rate in Barry County is 209.3 per 100K, well below the national 369.8. Property crime is 923.6 per 100K, which is also significantly lower than the national average. The data reflects a community where serious safety concerns are rare.

Maintaining a Safe Home in Barry

Home security systems and neighborhood watch habits are effective ways to prevent property crime. While theft is low in Barry County, staying vigilant helps protect your assets. Simple security measures go a long way in this peaceful community.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Barry County

via WeatherByCounty

A Moderately Cool Midwestern Climate

Barry County has an average annual temperature of 47.5°F, which is about 6 degrees cooler than the national median. Its climate is humid and sees more precipitation than many of its neighboring counties.

Warmer and Wetter Than Average

Barry County is warmer than the Michigan state average of 45.7°F. It is also significantly wetter, receiving 39.6 inches of precipitation annually compared to the state average of 34.5 inches.

Consistent With Southern Michigan

Barry County's 47.5°F average is nearly identical to Bay County's, though Barry receives significantly more annual precipitation. It is slightly cooler than Allegan County to the west, which averages 48.3°F.

Hot Summers and Snowy Winters

Residents face 10 days of extreme heat annually, with July temperatures peaking at an average of 70.5°F. Winter brings 68.0 inches of snow and a seasonal average temperature of 25.7°F.

Focus on Moisture Management

With nearly 40 inches of annual precipitation, basement waterproofing and gutter maintenance are critical. The 10 days of 90°F heat make central air conditioning a necessary comfort for most residents.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Barry County

via SoilByCounty

Prime Mollisols in Barry County

Barry County is home to Mollisols, a soil order often associated with high fertility and grassland ecosystems. The average pH of 5.60 is slightly higher than the Michigan average, though it remains below the national 6.5 median. This taxonomic classification marks it as some of the better agricultural land in the state.

Productive Sandy Loam Texture

The dominant texture is a sandy loam, consisting of 57% sand, 22.8% silt, and 9.5% clay. This specific mix is highly prized by farmers for its perfect balance of drainage and workability. It resists compaction while providing a stable home for root systems.

Consistent Yields on Leaner Organic Matter

At 8.77%, Barry's organic matter is lower than the state average but remains four times higher than the national average. The available water capacity is 0.173 in/in, which is slightly below the state benchmark of 0.202. Despite these slightly lower numbers, the Mollisol structure ensures high productivity.

Reliably Well-Drained Landscapes

Barry County soils are classified as 'Well drained' and belong to Hydrologic Group A. This means water infiltrates easily, making the land ready for planting shortly after spring rains. This drainage profile is ideal for residential building and intensive farming alike.

Abundance in Hardiness Zone 6a

Zone 6a provides Barry County with a robust growing season that supports everything from corn to delicate perennials. The sandy loam texture is perfect for deep-rooted vegetables and flower gardens. It is a fantastic place to start a backyard farm and enjoy the benefits of Mollisol soil.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Barry County

via LawnByCounty

Barry County is a lawn grower's paradise

With a high score of 67.3, Barry County is much easier for lawn care than the state average of 60.1. Located in Hardiness Zone 6a, it offers a long growing season and ideal conditions for premium turf.

High rainfall and long summers

Barry receives an impressive 39.6 inches of rain annually, well above the state average of 34.4. While it faces 10 extreme heat days, the 2,536 growing degree days ensure the grass has plenty of energy to recover.

Well-drained sandy loam is ideal

The soil is a desirable sandy loam with 57.0% sand and 9.5% clay, providing a great balance of drainage and structure. A pH of 5.60 is slightly acidic, so a light lime application will help reach the perfect 6.0 range.

Healthy recovery after summer dry spells

The county experienced 20 weeks of drought this past year, but currently reports no abnormally dry conditions. Because the soil is well-drained, lawns can recover quickly from dry periods if supplemental water is provided.

Plant for a long, productive season

With a frost-free window from May 3rd to October 12th, you have plenty of time for seeding. Kentucky Bluegrass thrives here and can produce a thick, professional-looking carpet given the abundant rainfall.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Barry County's county score?
Barry County, Michigan has a composite county score of 46.4 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Barry County rank among counties in Michigan?
Barry County ranks #48 among all counties in Michigan on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Barry County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Barry County is $2,769, with an effective tax rate of 1.05%. This earns Barry County a tax score of 32.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Barry County?
The median household income in Barry County, Michigan is $77,500 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Barry County earns an income score of 77.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Barry County, Michigan a good place to live?
Barry County scores 46.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #48 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Barry County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Barry County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.