CountyScore

Barry County

Michigan · MI

#34 in Michigan
69.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Barry County, Michigan

Barry Ranks Above National Median

Barry County's composite score of 68.2 places it in the 60th percentile nationally, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 36%. The county ranks in the top 40% of U.S. counties on overall livability, a solid showing for a southwest Michigan community.

Slightly Underperforms Michigan Average

At 68.2, Barry's composite score falls 0.5 points below Michigan's state average of 68.7, putting it just barely in the middle tier of the state's counties. The county reflects typical southwest Michigan economic and housing characteristics.

Strong Income and Stable Tax Rate

Barry's income score of 34.2 reflects a median household income of $77,873, second-highest in this group and supporting middle-class stability. The tax score of 71.0 with an effective rate of 1.110% provides reasonable affordability for working families.

Housing Costs Strain Budgets

With median home values of $243,700 and monthly rents at $955, Barry's cost score of 74.5 is the second-lowest in this group. Housing expenses consume more household income here than in more affordable counties, limiting savings potential.

Right for Professionals with Stable Incomes

Barry suits established professionals and dual-income families earning above $77,000 who can afford suburban housing in southwest Michigan. Those seeking rural affordability or maximum cost-of-living savings should explore less expensive counties.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax71Cost74.5SafetyComing SoonHealth79.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome34.2Risk54WaterComing Soon
🏛71
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡54
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Barry County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cullman County
Alabama
69.9
Median income: $60,916
Union County
Arkansas
69.9
Median income: $50,221
Fannin County
Georgia
69.9
Median income: $58,073
Cheyenne County
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69.9
Median income: $55,765
Jackson County
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69.9
Median income: $72,703

Deep Dives

Barry County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Barry County

via CostByCounty

Barry combines higher income with affordability

Barry County renters spend 14.7% of income on housing, below Michigan's 16.3% average and well within the 30% affordability zone. With a median household income of $77,873—second only to Allegan in this sample—Barry households enjoy both strong earning power and reasonable housing costs.

Strong income supports premium housing costs

Barry County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks favorably against Michigan's 16.3% average, anchored by median household income of $77,873 that sits near the top of this county sample. Though median rent of $955 exceeds state averages, Barry households earn enough to absorb it comfortably.

Premium costs matched by premium incomes

Barry's $955 monthly rent and $243,700 median home value run 15–25% above most neighboring counties, yet incomes of $77,873 are second only to Allegan's $80,255. This income advantage transforms what might seem costly into genuinely affordable housing.

Housing claims moderate share of earnings

Renters pay $955 monthly while homeowners spend $1,095, with homes valued at $243,700 and median income at $77,873. Together, housing consumes roughly 15% of income whether renting or owning, a healthy proportion that leaves room for savings.

Southwest Michigan prosperity and stability

Barry County attracts households with strong income and willingness to invest in housing—homeowners and renters alike find their earnings stretch effectively here. Relocating professionals will recognize Barry's economic stability as a long-term foundation for financial planning.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Barry County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy strong and competitive

Barry residents live to 77.9 years, very close to the U.S. average of 80.1 years and reflecting strong overall health. Only 12.8% report poor or fair health, among the best rates in Michigan.

Exceeds Michigan's average health

Barry's 77.9-year life expectancy surpasses Michigan's state average of 76.3 years by 1.6 years. The county ranks solidly in the upper tier of Michigan's 83 counties for longevity.

Among region's healthiest counties

Barry's 77.9-year life expectancy leads Allegan County (77.5 years) and trails only Alger County (78.9 years) and Antrim County (78.8 years). Its 5.5% uninsured rate is the lowest among its peer group.

Strong insurance coverage, limited primary care

Barry has only 30 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below the national standard of 75 per 100,000. Yet 5.5% uninsured (lowest in the region) and 130 mental health providers per 100,000 support good coverage and mental health access.

Maintain excellent coverage momentum

Barry's outstanding 5.5% uninsured rate demonstrates strong enrollment culture; continuing this strength ensures sustained health gains. Annual coverage reviews at healthcare.gov help lock in the best plans for your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Barry County

via RiskByCounty

Barry approaches national risk baseline

Barry County scores 45.99 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating that approaches but remains slightly below the national average. The county faces moderate disaster exposure in select hazard categories.

Slightly below Michigan's state average

Barry's composite risk score of 45.99 sits modestly below Michigan's state average of 49.56, placing it among the state's mid-range risk counties. Tornado and flood hazards drive much of the county's exposure.

Riskier than regional peers overall

Barry scores 45.99, substantially exceeding Alpena at 28.34 and markedly higher than Antrim at 25.76. The county carries elevated risk compared to most surrounding counties.

Tornadoes and floods dominate exposure

Barry faces tornado risk of 72.07 and flood risk of 58.87—both well above state averages and the county's primary concerns. Earthquake risk of 35.11 adds a third significant hazard to residents' awareness.

Flood and wind coverage both essential

Barry residents should secure flood insurance given the county's 58.87 flood risk score, particularly those in flood-prone areas. A robust homeowners policy with adequate wind and tornado coverage is critical for the county's 72.07 tornado risk.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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