Berrien County's composite score of 68.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 36%, placing it in the nation's upper-middle tier of livable counties. This above-average performance reflects balanced strengths across multiple livability dimensions. Berrien ranks as one of America's more attractive places to live by composite metrics.
2 / 5
Right at Michigan's State Average
Berrien County scores 68.0 against Michigan's 68.7 state average—essentially matching the statewide benchmark. This positions Berrien as a median-performing Michigan county, neither standout nor struggling. Residents experience livability conditions typical of the state's middle performers.
3 / 5
Balanced Tax and Housing Value
Berrien County offers solid tax efficiency with a Tax Score of 70.9 and an effective rate of 1.115%, paired with reasonable housing costs (median rent $923/month, home values $211,400). The Cost Score of 76.7 confirms that housing remains a relative bargain compared to many U.S. counties. These balanced strengths appeal to families seeking moderate affordability without sacrificing other amenities.
4 / 5
Income Growth Lags Behind
Berrien County's Income Score of 24.6 reflects a median household income of $63,152, below both state and national expectations for a county its size. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable, preventing a complete livability assessment. Residents should investigate these dimensions to confirm Berrien's appeal.
5 / 5
Ideal for Moderate-Income Families
Berrien County suits families seeking balanced living costs and reasonable taxes without requiring high local incomes. Its midpoint livability profile works well for those with supplemental income sources or established financial stability. Berrien offers solid, middle-of-the-road Michigan living for those avoiding both extremes.
Berrien County's composite score of 68.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 36%, placing it in the nation's upper-middle tier of livable counties. This above-average performance reflects balanced strengths across multiple livability dimensions. Berrien ranks as one of America's more attractive places to live by composite metrics.
Right at Michigan's State Average
Berrien County scores 68.0 against Michigan's 68.7 state average—essentially matching the statewide benchmark. This positions Berrien as a median-performing Michigan county, neither standout nor struggling. Residents experience livability conditions typical of the state's middle performers.
Balanced Tax and Housing Value
Berrien County offers solid tax efficiency with a Tax Score of 70.9 and an effective rate of 1.115%, paired with reasonable housing costs (median rent $923/month, home values $211,400). The Cost Score of 76.7 confirms that housing remains a relative bargain compared to many U.S. counties. These balanced strengths appeal to families seeking moderate affordability without sacrificing other amenities.
Income Growth Lags Behind
Berrien County's Income Score of 24.6 reflects a median household income of $63,152, below both state and national expectations for a county its size. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable, preventing a complete livability assessment. Residents should investigate these dimensions to confirm Berrien's appeal.
Ideal for Moderate-Income Families
Berrien County suits families seeking balanced living costs and reasonable taxes without requiring high local incomes. Its midpoint livability profile works well for those with supplemental income sources or established financial stability. Berrien offers solid, middle-of-the-road Michigan living for those avoiding both extremes.
Score breakdown
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🏛70.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
Renters in Berrien County dedicate 17.5% of their income to housing—exceeding Michigan's state average of 16.3% and pushing toward tight affordability thresholds. With median rent at $923 on a $63,152 median income, Berrien residents face steeper housing burdens than their national counterparts.
Among Michigan's Least Affordable Counties
Berrien County's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks below average for Michigan affordability, signaling moderate housing stress relative to peers. At $923 monthly rent, Berrien exceeds the state median of $873 by 5.7%, placing homeseeker pressure on a below-state-average income of $63,152.
Pricey Rents, Premium Location
Berrien's $923 rent trails only Benzie ($974) among northern Michigan counties, while its $211,400 home value sits between Cass ($205,200) and Benzie ($254,400). The premium reflects Berrien's lakefront desirability and proximity to Indiana; renters here pay more than Bay ($809) or Cheboygan ($822) for location appeal.
Rent and Ownership Squeeze Budgets
Berrien renters allocate $923 monthly (17.5% of income) while homeowners spend $987 (18.8%), both figures straining a median household income of $63,152. The gap between rent and ownership costs narrows here, offering limited savings for those considering transition to homeownership.
Berrien Tests Housing Affordability
Berrien County demands careful budget planning—its 17.5% rent burden and $923 monthly cost exceed most Michigan peers, yet its lakefront charm commands a premium. Prospective residents earning under $65,000 should compare Berrien against Bay County ($809 rent) or Cheboygan ($822) to gauge true affordability trade-offs.
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.
Berrien County's life expectancy of 76.0 years aligns closely with Michigan's average of 76.3 years but falls 2.9 years short of the U.S. average of 78.9 years. One in six residents (17.1%) report poor or fair health, slightly exceeding the national average of 15% and signaling elevated chronic disease burden.
Berrien's health mirrors state benchmarks
At 76.0 years, Berrien County's life expectancy sits just below Michigan's average of 76.3 years, placing it in Michigan's middle tier. The county's 6.9% uninsured rate edges above the state average of 6.4%, indicating slightly higher rates of health coverage gaps.
Berrien outshines southern Michigan peers
Berrien's 76.0-year life expectancy surpasses Branch (76.1 years measured, but higher poor/fair rate) and Cass (76.1 years), with strong primary care capacity. At 80 primary care providers per 100K, Berrien leads most neighbors and ranks among Michigan's best-resourced counties for family medicine.
Strong provider network across specialties
Berrien County boasts 80 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the highest in this region—and 317 mental health providers per 100K, ensuring accessible preventive and behavioral care. The robust network supports comprehensive care for chronic diseases and emerging health needs.
Secure coverage for your family
Berrien's 6.9% uninsured rate means nearly 7,000 residents lack reliable health insurance. Visit healthcare.gov or contact Berrien Community Health Centers to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, and free preventive screenings.
Berrien County's composite risk score of 81.71 places it well above the national average, earning a Relatively Moderate rating as one of Michigan's highest-risk counties. The score reflects serious exposure to floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes, requiring residents to maintain robust disaster preparedness. This risk profile demands both insurance and active emergency planning.
Among Michigan's Riskiest Counties
Berrien County ranks significantly above Michigan's state average composite risk of 49.56, with its 81.71 score placing it among the top-risk counties statewide. The county's Relatively Moderate rating reflects genuine hazard exposure that exceeds typical Michigan conditions. Few Michigan communities face the combined risk profile present in Berrien County.
Highest Risk in Southwest Michigan
Berrien County (81.71) far exceeds neighboring Cass County (47.71) and Branch County (51.81) in overall risk, making it the most hazard-prone county in its region. The county's location along Lake Michigan and proximity to fault lines drives this elevated exposure. Regional neighbors have significantly lower composite risk scores.
Three Major Threats
Flood risk tops the list at 86.01, with the county's Lake Michigan shoreline and watershed making water-related disasters the primary concern. Tornado risk (83.37) poses a severe secondary threat—Berrien experiences some of Michigan's highest tornado vulnerability. Earthquake risk (71.95) adds a third substantial hazard, making Berrien uniquely vulnerable among Michigan counties.
Critical Insurance and Planning
Flood insurance is essential for Berrien County residents, especially those near water bodies or in flood-prone zones—obtain a detailed flood map from FEMA immediately. Retrofit your home to withstand earthquakes, including bolting foundations and securing heavy furniture. Create a comprehensive family emergency plan that addresses all three primary hazards and practice it annually.