St. Joseph County, Michigan: commercial real estate data.
St. Joseph County, Michigan had an estimated 61,171 residents on July 1, 2024, up 0.4 percent since the 2020 census base of 60,940, across 501 square miles. County output reached $2.88 bn in 2024, 1,149 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 54 7(a) approvals worth $24.6 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
St. Joseph County
How many people live in St. Joseph County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202460,969
- Households23,620
- Average household size2.58
- Median household income$66,425
- Median age39.9
- Median gross rent$849 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$178,300
- Home value to household income2.7 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income15.3 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher16.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree6.1 percent
- Adults 25 and over41,475
- Population under 1814,801
- Share under 1824.3 percent
- Population 65 and over11,403
- Share 65 and over18.7 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6434,765
- Civilian labor force29,411
- Unemployment rate5.9 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over63.7 percent
- Rank by population among Michigan counties33rd of 83
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included885th of 3,222
St. Joseph County is the 33rd largest of 83 Michigan counties by population. A median home costs 2.7 times median household income, which is affordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 24.3 percent against 18.7 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
St. Joseph County
Is St. Joseph County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202461,171
- Census 2020 base population60,940
- Population change since the 2020 census base0.38 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024109
- Births, 2024739
- Deaths, 2024699
- Natural change, 202440
- Net domestic migration, 2024-65
- Net international migration, 2024137
- Total net migration, 202472
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 202427
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents1685th of 3,144
The county has grown 0.38 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
St. Joseph County
Where are people moving to St. Joseph County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving1,305
- People arriving, from those returns2,349
- Tax returns filed by households leaving1,272
- Net household movement33
- Adjusted gross income arriving$74.9 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$7.1 m
- Average income of an arriving household$57,369
- Average income of a leaving household$53,290
- Largest single originKalamazoo County (240 households)
- Largest single destinationKalamazoo County (252 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo County | 240 | 380 | $12.2 m |
| Elkhart County | 129 | 250 | $11.0 m |
| Branch County | 100 | 202 | $4.3 m |
| Cass County | 96 | 190 | $4.9 m |
| LaGrange County | 73 | 147 | $3.7 m |
| Calhoun County | 34 | 51 | $1.3 m |
| St. Joseph County | 32 | 59 | $1.5 m |
| Berrien County | 27 | 42 | $1.1 m |
Households arriving report $4,079 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Kalamazoo County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
St. Joseph County
What is the St. Joseph County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$2.88 bn
- County GDP, 2023$2.84 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20241.3 percent
- GDP change over five years35.6 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Michigan areas BEA publishes29th of 83
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes1010th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$47,161
Output grew 1.3 percent in the latest year and 35.6 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
St. Joseph County
Employment by industry in St. Joseph County
- Covered employment, annual average21,098
- Establishments reporting2,282
- Average annual pay$53,550
- Average weekly wage$1,030
- Manufacturing, employment7,477
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$71,284
- Retail trade, employment2,453
- Retail trade, average annual pay$34,717
- Health care and social assistance, employment2,247
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$37,715
- Accommodation and food services, employment1,596
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$19,700
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, employment859
- Construction, employment741
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 7,477 | 133 | $71,284 |
| Retail trade | 2,453 | 170 | $34,717 |
| Health care and social assistance | 2,247 | 970 | $37,715 |
| Accommodation and food services | 1,596 | 117 | $19,700 |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 859 | 72 | $53,454 |
| Construction | 741 | 103 | $75,206 |
| Other services, except public administration | 641 | 282 | $35,153 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 583 | 66 | $54,235 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 7,477 jobs, 35.4 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
St. Joseph County
How many businesses are in St. Joseph County?
- Establishments, all industries1,149
- Employment at those establishments19,429
- Annual payroll$1.06 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents18.8
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
St. Joseph County
Building permits in St. Joseph County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024180
- Declared construction value permitted$51.1 m
- Single family units authorized102
- Multifamily units authorized78
- Multifamily share of units43.3 percent
- Average declared value per unit$284,016
- Units authorized per 1,000 households7.6
Multifamily is 43.3 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
St. Joseph County
SBA loans in St. Joseph County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded54
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$24.6 m
- Average 7(a) approval$456,044
- Median 7(a) approval$180,000
- 10th percentile approval$30,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,353,220
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)593
- Jobs per approval11.0
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active24
- Distinct industries receiving approvals37
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer14.8 percent
- Loans on real estate terms8
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter41
- Franchise loans1
- Franchise share of approvals1.9 percent
- Leading industry by approval countFull-Service Restaurants (4)
- Most active lenderThe Huntington National Bank (15)
- 504 approvals recorded18
- 504 gross approval dollars$11.3 m
- Average 504 approval$627,167
- Median 504 approval$378,000
- Distinct CDCs active3
- 504 jobs per approval6.6
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved10.5
- Most active CDCMichigan Certified Development Corporation (9)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$35.9 m
The average approval of $456,044 sits well above the median of $180,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 14.8 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
St. Joseph County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in St. Joseph County
Do SBA loans in St. Joseph County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded14
- Paid in full13
- Charged off1
- Status: Charged off1
- Status: Paid in full13
- Status: Exempt from disclosure27
- Status: Cancelled9
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed4
Only 14 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
St. Joseph County
SBA lending by place in St. Joseph County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending8
- Three Rivers, approvals21
- Sturgis, approvals20
- White Pigeon, approvals3
- Centreville, approvals3
- Mendon, approvals3
- Centerville, approvals2
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Three Rivers | 21 | $7,834,700 |
| Sturgis | 20 | $10,010,300 |
| White Pigeon | 3 | $5,223,800 |
| Centreville | 3 | $445,600 |
| Mendon | 3 | $327,000 |
| Centerville | 2 | $80,000 |
| Colon | 1 | $675,000 |
| Constantine | 1 | $30,000 |
Three Rivers accounts for 21 approvals against 20 in Sturgis. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
St. Joseph County
How large is St. Joseph County?
- Land area501 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Michigan counties71st of 83
- Width, east to west25.7 mi
- Height, north to south21.6 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary5
- Residents per square mile of land122
- Establishments per square mile2.29
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
St. Joseph County
Flood risk in St. Joseph County
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book22
- Of those, participating in the NFIP19
- NFIP participation rate86.4 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 10
- Communities carrying a CRS class1
- Radon levels in St. Joseph County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The EPA places St. Joseph County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 10, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 86.4 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a St. Joseph County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a St. Joseph County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202460,969
- Households23,620
- Average household size2.58
- Median household income$66,425
- Median age39.9
Common questions
St. Joseph County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in St. Joseph County, Michigan?
The Census Bureau estimates 61,171 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 60,969, in 23,620 households, ranking 33rd of 83 Michigan counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is St. Joseph County's population growing?
The population has grown 0.38 percent since the 2020 census base of 60,940, to 61,171 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 739 births against 699 deaths, with net migration of 72. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in St. Joseph County?
$66,425. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $178,300, which is 2.7 times income, and median gross rent is $849 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in St. Joseph County?
1,149 establishments, employing 19,429 people with an annual payroll of $1.06 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in St. Joseph County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 7,477 jobs, 35.4 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 21,098 jobs at an average annual pay of $53,550, or $1,030 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in St. Joseph County?
54 7(a) approvals totaling $24.6 m since FY2020, across 24 lenders, with a median approval of $180,000, plus 18 504 approvals worth $11.3 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in St. Joseph County?
180 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $51.1 m. Multifamily was 43.3 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for St. Joseph County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to St. Joseph County come from?
The largest single origin is Kalamazoo County, with 240 households. Arriving households report an average income of $57,369 against $53,290 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for St. Joseph County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for St. Joseph County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
St. Joseph County
Cities and places in St. Joseph.
8 Census places lie wholly or partly in St. Joseph County. All 8 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sturgis | city | 11,054 | 20 | Wholly in this county |
| Three Rivers | city | 7,943 | 21 | Wholly in this county |
| Constantine | village | 2,154 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| White Pigeon | village | 1,760 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Colon | village | 1,570 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Centreville | village | 1,565 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Burr Oak | village | 818 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Mendon | village | 815 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
A further 2 of the county's 54 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in St. Joseph County, the largest being Centerville (2). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby