countyscore
32.9
County Score
Health 66Lawn Care 65.3Soil Quality 58.2

County Report Card

About Berrien County, Michigan

Berrien County faces national headwinds

Berrien County registers a composite score of 32.7, which is significantly lower than the national median of 50.0. This score suggests that the county faces more livability challenges than the typical American county.

Trailing the Michigan average

At 32.7, Berrien County sits nearly 15 points below the Michigan state average of 47.1. Low scores in safety and schools currently weigh down the county's standing within the state.

Strong health and steady incomes

Health remains a bright spot with a score of 66.0, indicating better wellness metrics than many peers. The income score of 48.7 is supported by a median household income of $63,152, which is competitive for the region.

Safety and risk factors dominate

The county struggles with a low safety score of 13.2 and an environmental risk score of 18.3. Furthermore, the school score of 18.2 suggests that educational outcomes are a significant area of concern for local families.

Best for those prioritizing health services

Berrien County offers solid healthcare and decent wages, but it requires compromises on public safety and school quality. It is a better fit for households without school-aged children who can navigate the local risk factors.

2040608010029.93613.26618.249.118.335.656.5Tax29.9Cost36Safety13.2Health66Schools18.2Income49.1Risk18.3Water35.6Weather56.532.9/100
This county
National avg
1 above average6 below average

Berrien County DNA

Foverall

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

Berrien County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (13.2/100), though Health (66/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
29.9-22.1
Cost
36-12
Safety
13.2-41.8
Health
66+16
Schools
18.2-35.8
Income
49.1
Risk
18.3-28.7
Water
35.6-22.4
Weather
56.5
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Think property taxes are too high in Berrien County?

Many homeowners in Berrien County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$224,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$942/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$224,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$37,680/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $65,425/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

16.9

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
Compare Berrien County with San Joaquin County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

St. Joseph County
Indiana
41.2
LaPorte County
Indiana
42.8
Cass County
Michigan
40.6
Van Buren County
Michigan
38.1
Elkhart County
Indiana
36.5
Porter County
Indiana
49
Marshall County
Indiana
57.5
Starke County
Indiana
58.5

Deep Dives

Berrien County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Berrien County

via TaxByCounty

Berrien County near national tax norm

Berrien County's effective tax rate of 1.115% sits just below the national median of 1.09%, placing it squarely in the middle nationally. Homeowners pay a median of $2,357 annually, slightly below the national median of $2,690, benefiting from a median home value of $211,400.

Close to Michigan's state average

Berrien County's 1.115% effective rate tracks near Michigan's state average of 1.166%, making it a moderate-tax county by state standards. The median annual tax of $2,357 sits about 12% above Michigan's median of $2,102, reflecting moderate burden relative to peers.

Middle ground in Southwest Michigan

Berrien County's 1.115% rate falls between the higher-taxed Branch (1.229%) and Cass (0.961%) in the Southwest region. Among the eight-county sample, it ranks solidly in the middle, neither a clear bargain nor a burden.

What your home tax bill looks like

On Berrien County's median home value of $211,400, the 1.115% rate translates to approximately $2,357 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,447, while those without mortgages pay $2,224.

Consider appealing your assessment

Berrien County homeowners should know that many assessments lag behind recent market appreciation. Filing an appeal during Michigan's March-June window costs nothing and could save you hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Berrien County

via IncomeByCounty

Berrien County trails national income

Berrien County's median household income of $63,152 is $11,603 below the U.S. median of $74,755, a 15% shortfall. This gap reflects regional economic challenges.

Slightly below Michigan average

Berrien County earns $63,152 compared to Michigan's county median of $64,304, placing it just below the state average. Among Michigan's 83 counties, Berrien ranks in the middle range.

Slightly below regional peers

Berrien County's $63,152 trails Cass County ($68,011) by $4,859 but exceeds Branch County ($61,958) by $1,194. This modest variation reflects Berrien's mid-tier position in Southwest Michigan.

Housing costs bite harder here

Berrien County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.5% is the highest among its neighbors, meaning housing consumes more of household budgets. While still manageable, this tighter squeeze leaves less flexibility for savings and emergencies.

Strategic budgeting unlocks savings potential

Berrien households earning $63,152 benefit from deliberate budgeting around higher housing costs to find money for retirement accounts and emergency funds. Even $100 monthly investments compound meaningfully over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Berrien County

via CrimeByCounty

Crime Rates Slightly Above National Levels

Berrien County reports a total crime rate of 2,509.5 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average of 2,385.5. This results in a safety score of 96.0 out of 100.

Safety Score Lags Behind State Averages

At 96.0, the county's safety score is lower than Michigan's overall average of 97.8. Its crime rate is nearly double the state average of 1,371.8 per 100,000 people.

Comparing Berrien to Southern Michigan Neighbors

Berrien County faces more frequent crime than neighboring Cass County, which reports 1,740.2 incidents per 100,000. However, it remains safer than Calhoun County further to the east.

Higher Violent and Property Crime Risks

Violent crime sits at 570.4 per 100,000, exceeding the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also active, with 1,939.1 reports per 100,000 residents.

Robust Security Recommended for Homeowners

Given local crime activity, a professionally monitored alarm system provides an essential layer of protection. Motion-activated cameras are highly effective at deterring property-related incidents.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Berrien County

via WeatherByCounty

One of Michigan’s Warmest Gateways

Berrien County averages 50.5°F annually, bringing it closer to the national median than most of its northern neighbors. This southwestern corner of the state experiences a more temperate climate than the Michigan interior.

Ranking High for Michigan Heat

The county's 50.5°F average stands well above the statewide average of 45.7°F, marking it as a regional warm spot. This difference supports a longer growing season and more humid summer days compared to the Upper Peninsula.

A Rainy Coastline with Lake Effect

Receiving 38.3 inches of precipitation annually, Berrien is wetter than the Michigan average of 34.5 inches. It balances this moisture with 74.5 inches of snow, often driven by lake-effect clouds from Lake Michigan.

Hot Summers Meet Snowy Winters

Summer temperatures peak at 72.8°F in July, featuring 13 days of extreme heat above 90°F. Winter is relatively mild for Michigan, with a December-to-February average of 29.0°F.

Prepare for Humid Heat and Snow

Homeowners should invest in efficient air conditioning to manage the 13 annual extreme heat days. Regular gutter maintenance is also essential to handle the high 38.3-inch annual rainfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Berrien County

via SoilByCounty

Typical Michigan Acidity and Solid Performance

Berrien County features an average pH of 5.33, which aligns almost perfectly with the Michigan state average of 5.30. The county earns a soil score of 58.2, reflecting reliable agricultural utility. This level of acidity is common in the region but lower than the national median of 6.5.

Loamy Sand Mix for Versatile Farming

The soil composition is 51.6% sand and 23.6% silt, creating a medium-textured ground that is easy to manage. With clay making up 9.9%, the soil retains enough structure to support large-scale fruit production. This mix offers a great balance between drainage and stability.

Five Times the National Organic Average

The organic matter content is 10.90%, far exceeding the national average of 2.0% though lower than Michigan's 19.76% average. An available water capacity of 0.180 in/in is robust, sitting just below the state average of 0.202. These numbers indicate a soil that holds nutrients and water well through the summer.

Reliable Drainage in the Fruit Belt

While specific drainage classes are N/A, the high sand and silt percentages suggest favorable water movement. This is critical for the county's famous vineyards and orchards that require aerated root zones. Proper site preparation ensures these soils stay productive and free of saturated spots.

The Heart of Zone 6a Growing

In hardiness zone 6a, Berrien County is world-renowned for its peaches, grapes, and berries. The slightly acidic soil is ideal for these crops, though vegetable gardeners may want to add lime. It is an excellent place to start a backyard vineyard or a diverse fruit patch.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Berrien County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Zone 6a in Berrien County

Berrien County scores a 65.3 for lawn difficulty, making it easier to manage than the state average of 60.1. While it sits above the national median of 50.0, the local climate in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a presents specific southern Michigan challenges. You will enjoy a relatively favorable environment for most common turf varieties.

High Heat and Generous Rain

Berrien County receives a generous 38.3 inches of rain annually, which is well above the Michigan average of 34.4 inches. However, 13 extreme heat days and 3,039 growing degree days mean your lawn will grow fast and face significant summer stress. Expect to mow more frequently and monitor for heat-related browning in July.

Correcting Acidic Soil for Better Turf

Your soil pH of 5.33 is significantly below the ideal 6.0-7.0 range, making the ground quite acidic. The soil is 51.6% sand and 9.9% clay, which allows for decent drainage but poor nutrient retention. You will likely need lime applications to raise the pH and unlock fertilizers for your grass.

Steady Recovery After Dry Months

The county spent 22 weeks in drought over the past year, though it is currently 0% abnormally dry. Despite the high annual rainfall, the summer heat can quickly deplete soil moisture in this region. Use mulching mowers to return clippings to the soil, which helps retain moisture during the hotter months.

Early Starts for Lush Lawns

Tall Fescue is a top choice for Berrien County because it tolerates the 13 annual heat days better than other varieties. Your frost-free window begins early on April 27th and lasts until October 25th, providing a robust growing season. Seeding in the early fall is ideal to let the grass establish before winter without the pressure of summer heat.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Berrien County's county score?
Berrien County, Michigan has a composite county score of 32.9 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 Berrien County rank among counties in Michigan?
Berrien County ranks #78 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 Berrien County, Michigan?
The median annual property tax in Berrien County is $2,429, with an effective tax rate of 1.08%. This earns Berrien County a tax score of 29.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Berrien County?
The median household income in Berrien County, Michigan is $65,425 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Berrien County earns an income score of 49.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Berrien County, Michigan a good place to live?
Berrien County scores 32.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #78 in Michigan. The best way to evaluate Berrien 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 Berrien 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.