COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The U.S. Census Bureau released its 2024 Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates this week, providing a look at economic conditions across Branch County.
According to the latest data, the median household income for the county in 2024 reached $63,145, a steady increase from the previous year’s estimate of $57,641.
Despite this growth in median income, poverty remains a persistent challenge.
The report indicates that approximately 13.2% of Branch County’s total population lived below the poverty line in 2024, a rate consistent with the broader state median of 13.2% both higher than the national average 0f 12.2%.
The 2024 estimates also shed light on the economic well-being of the county’s youth, showing a 16.1% poverty rate among school-age children, that was down from 18.4% in 2023. The metric is vital for school administrators, as the data serves as the primary basis for allocating federal Title I funding to the county’s school districts.
While the county’s overall poverty rate is notably lower than some higher-need areas in the state, the U.S. Census Bureau notes that these model-based estimates are essential for planning local social services and educational support programs through the 2026-2027 academic year.
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