RANK #159 / 996 · POP 62,581 · MI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.4%
Barry County, Michigan, is characterized by its numerous inland lakes and extensive natural recreation areas, such as the 5,200-acre Yankee Springs Recreation Area, which offers trails for hiking, biking, and winter sports, alongside opportunities for fishing and water activities on its nine lakes. Located in the southwest region of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, Barry County is roughly equidistant from larger metropolitan areas like Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Lansing, with Hastings, the county seat, about 45 minutes from these cities. The community maintains a rural feel with a slower pace of life, yet provides access to urban amenities within a reasonable commute. The average one-way commute for residents is 28.4 minutes.
Life in Barry County often appeals to families and individuals seeking a blend of rural character and modern conveniences. The county's public schools serve a significant majority of K-12 students, with several top-ranked elementary and high schools. While many residents commute to surrounding cities for work, the local economy is also supported by manufacturing and healthcare. Recent economic development efforts focus on attracting sustainable businesses and creating local job pipelines from schools, alongside initiatives to increase affordable housing and support entrepreneurs and remote workers. The county has also seen investment in sectors related to renewable resources, particularly in the bioeconomy, with a focus on woody biomass.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Spring Creek Solar Project
Consumers Energy
|
$140M | Under Construction |
|
Residential New Construction (Multiple Developments)
Various Builders
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Barry County has a Boom Town Index score of 84/100, ranking #159 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.7% and a median household income of $75,182, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Barry County is $223,600 with median rent at $966/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3362, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.9% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.7%. Home values changed +3.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.86% of Barry County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.