RANK #126 / 1001 NAT · #5 / 36 MI · POP 153,288
1YR FORECAST: +2.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +35%
Berrien County, Michigan, known as "Michigan's Great Southwest," offers 42 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, providing opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and sunsets at places like Silver Beach County Park. The county is located in the southwestern corner of Michigan, approximately 90 miles from Chicago. Commuting within the county is primarily done by car, with an average commute time of 21.2 minutes. Public transportation options like Berrien Bus offer curb-to-curb service in rural areas, and dial-a-ride services operate in towns such as Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Buchanan, and Niles. The community offers a blend of rural landscapes and access to nearby cities.
Life in Berrien County is characterized by its natural beauty and a focus on outdoor activities, with numerous parks, trails for hiking and biking, and access to the St. Joseph River for fishing and kayaking. The economy is driven by a mix of manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and tourism. Major employers include Whirlpool Corporation and Corewell Health. The county is also recognized as a leader in fruit production, particularly peaches, pears, and grapes, and is home to Michigan's wine industry. Families have access to various public school districts, including St. Joseph Public Schools and Lakeshore School District.
Berrien County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +5.4% YoY, population -0.1%, wages +2.1%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Berrien County ranks #126 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 87/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $65,425 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
Housing in Berrien County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $224,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $942/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Berrien County are both close to flat — population -0.1% YoY and jobs 0.0%. Home values shifted +5.4% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.11% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Berrien County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +5.4% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Berrien County is now valued at $224,300. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.