South Haven: Economy & Jobs
Households in South Haven earn a median $68,239 (about the same as Van Buren County median $68,114; 1.1× below Michigan median $72,875), with homes at a median value of $454,100. The surrounding county supports 41,360 jobs (avg $60,226).
- $77,443 avg taxable income per return — similar than the median household income (vs Michigan $69,437).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $68,239 — above the Michigan median ($64,354). Poverty rate 15.8% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 6.7× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 14.7% |
| Affordability · Interpretation | expensive |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $59,540 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $4,610,967 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $77,443 (vs Michigan $69,437) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $73,314 |
| Median Household Income | $68,239 (vs Michigan $64,354) |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Manufacturing |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $68,239 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 1.4% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 20% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 19.80 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 20.3% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | short commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 41,360 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $2,490,969,131 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $60,226 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 4,347,960 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.4% (vs Michigan 3.7%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 1,120 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 4,214 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 3.80 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Poultry Totals, Crop Totals, Milk, Hogs |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 2,578 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 41,275 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 2,218,690 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 15 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 6 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 18 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 38 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 25 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 7 |
| Local Businesses · Electronics Stores | 3 |
| Local Businesses · New Car Dealers | 10 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 81 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 68 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 10 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 14 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (4)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Walmart SUPERCENTER 1540 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 20 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | GREATER SOUTH HAVEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $722,432,912 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 5,995.19 (vs Michigan $8,576) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 120,502 people (vs Michigan 45,758) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 66.3% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 3.7% |
| Pct Walked | 20.3% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 61.7 years (vs Michigan 37.7y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 48.4% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 1 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12