The Forward Together process was launched in 2019 through a unique partnership between the City of Flint, Genesee County, and Flint & Genesee Group. This process was open, inclusive, and resulted in a new, shared vision for the economic vitality of the county and its communities. For an update on the plan, including Genesee County’s progress in five key success indicators, watch the video below.
Our Vision for Economic Vitality…
In 2040, Genesee County is a top-five community in Michigan based on jobs, talent, livability, and equity.
Indicators for Success
We measure our progress toward our vision across five indicators and our community scorecard
Average Wages have Increased from $879 per week to $957 per week between the year 2019 and 2021. Although the average wage rate has increased, the County’s ranking fell two spots compared to the other counties in Michigan. Average wages have increased due to increased demand for labor. With the Covid-19 infection rate decreasing, businesses can ease restrictions and conduct business at a more rapid pace, which requires more workers — hence the spike in average wage rate, to attract workers.
AVERAGE WAGES
$1,109
Per week average wage for workers in the county (2023)
23rd
out of the 83 Michigan counties
Net In-Migration refers to the difference in the number of people who have moved into the County and those who have moved out. According to IRS taxpayer system, about 2,920 people have moved out of Genesee County in the past four years (2016-2019) due in large part to be closer to family and for better paying jobs.
NET IN-MIGRATION
-799
People moved out of Genesee County (2022)
77th
out of the 83 Michigan counties
Educational Attainment is a measure of successful academic completion by residents in the County. About 32 percent of residents in Genesee County age 25 and over have a post-secondary degree. By the end of 2020, education achievement levels increased by 1 percent compared to 2018. However, the County’s rank in comparison to the 82 other counties fell from 29th to 35th position. Stimulus stipends subsidized education costs and more accessible online post-secondary classes encouraged people to complete their education, creating the slight rise in educational attainment, but not at the same pace as many other counties in the state.
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
34%
of residents over 25 have a postsecondary degree (2023)
32nd
out of the 83 Michigan counties
Genesee County’s GDP or Gross Domestic Product (the value of goods and services produced within a county) growth rate increased to 1.17 percent between 2019 and 2020. This means the County expanded by 1.17 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020, with its rank moving up to the 20th place out of 82 other Michigan counties. Michigan’s combined tax rate is 6 percent (includes state, county, and city tax), which is relatively low compared to other states. The low tax rate, coupled with increased wages, leads to higher demand (spending), and increased production to meet consumer demand, which yields GDP growth.
GDP GROWTH RATE
1.9%
Growth in GDP between 2022-23 / state change
48th
out of the 83 Michigan counties
Family Poverty rate is a measure of families that live below the poverty line, which refers to the minimum level of income needed to secure necessities of life. The family poverty rate in Genesee County declined from 15 percent to 12.9 percent between 2017 and 2021, but our county has lost position in the county rankings (78th to 81st), meaning that other counties have seen a faster reduction in their poverty rates. Strong economic growth, stimulus support, and increasing wages contribute to this positive movement in family poverty rate. However, as the stimulus has gone away, wages have stabilized, inflation continues, and market corrections occur, this metric is at risk of trending backwards.
FAMILY POVERTY RATE
11.4%
Families living below the poverty line (2022)
75th
out of the 83 Michigan counties
Interested in a Forward Together presentation to your organization? Visit the Flint & Genesee Group’s Speakers Bureau.
Community Scorecard
Measuring the broader impact, ensuring greater equity
There are a broader set of statistics that will help the region monitor if the progress achieved over time is shared across all of the communities of Genesee County. This data can be tracked through the use of the community scorecard, organized by major topics of the plan. Additional metrics track community progress over time without comparison.
Metric
Score
Description
Comparison
Source
Economic Mobility
(2020)
5.9%
Fraction In Top 20% Based On Household Income When Born In The Bottom 20%
Economic mobility measures the potential for an individual born in a particular location to rise up the economic ladder in his or her lifetime. The underlying data was assembled through the pioneering Chetty Study of American Economic Mobility and utilizes the Opportunity Atlas to determine the score for Genesee County.
National median
10% of people
The Opportunity Atlas, Chetty Study of Economic Mobility
Median Household Income
(2023)
$60,673
While personal income identifies each individual’s financial stability, there are many families who have more than one person providing income. Household income represents the figure for dual or multi-income families to support the financial needs of the group, covering the essential and non-essential expenses that impact the local economy.
$68,505
State Median
(2022)
U.S. Census Bureau
Workforce Participation
(2023)
58.3%
Percentage of residents currently employed or actively seeking employment
The Workforce Participation rate measures the percentage of people who are currently employed or actively seeking employment. This number in conjunction with the unemployment rate, represents the total labor force for the county.
61.6%
State Median
(2022)
U.S. Census Bureau
3rd Grade Reading Proficiency
(2024)
36.06%
Average 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency
Reading proficiency is measured across the state through the standardized tests offered each year. These tests evaluate educational areas including math, reading, and language arts from grades 3 to 8 through two different standardized test programs.
40.89%
State Median
(2022-2023)
MI School Data
SNAP Recipient Households
(2023)
32,082
The number of households in Genesee County receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. A SNAP recipient household has one or more of the current household members that received food stamps or a food stamp benefit card during the past 12 months.
556,590
State Total
(2022)
U.S. Census Bureau
Total Jobs
(2023)
133,895
Job growth is the annual increase of people who are employed, either with a public, private, or personal business. This figure represents the total number of employees in Genesee County and the ability to expand job opportunities annually.
4,849,000
State Total
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Change in Number of Businesses
(2022)
+10.9%
Number Of Establishments – Annual Change
Establishments are the single businesses that provide goods or services within a geography such as Genesee County. These businesses directly influence the economy providing jobs, services, and building revenue for the County and its communities.
+8.61%
State Median
U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
How will we achieve our vision…
STRATEGY A
TURN COMMUNITY CHALLENGES INTO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
In the Japanese art of jiu-jitsu, the fighter manipulates the opponent’s force against themselves and harnesses this threatening energy for good.
STRATEGY B
CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON BUSINESS ATTRACTION AND RETENTION
There is no predicting the future anymore. Disruption is the rule, not the exception. We wake up each day knowing our advantages and marketing them.
STRATEGY C
EVALUATE AND EXPAND TOURISM OPTIONS
However they find you, they remember something. Big or small, they take you back home with them. You’re in their head and someday that might matter.
STRATEGY D
GROW AND COORDINATE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
“It’s not an issue of ‘What’s missing?’, we have every community program you could imagine. For us, it’s about coordination, throughput, scaling. We need to take the next step, we need the 2.0’s”
STRATEGY E
BUILD GREAT PLACES
Genesee County is 650 square miles, there are 11 cities, 5 villages, and seventeen townships. From urban to rural, every lifestyle has a location in Genesee County, they all can, and should, be great.
STRATEGY F
INVEST IN 21ST CENTURY ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE
Fix the roads … and while we’re at it, invest strategically in the underlying infrastructure that will enable our next chapter and support our communities today and in the future.