This article is part of an ongoing, county by county overview of the Tri-County Area. This article covers Gross Regional Product (GRP) and Personal Income trends in Eaton County. GRP is the total value a regional economy produces in a given year, while Personal Income includes wages, salaries, plus income from investments and government transfer payments (e.g. social security). Comparing GRP and Personal Income provides insight into both overall economic performance and how that growth translates to household income.

As shown in Figure 1, Eaton County’s economy has grown at different paces over the last decade. From 2014 through 2016, GRP in the County grew by about 17.8%. This was followed by a period of relative stagnation from 2016 to 2020 where it fluctuated slightly from year to year, but overall grew only 3.4%. From 2020 through 2024, Eaton County’s GRP continued on a strong upward trajectory, increasing from about $5.4B in 2020 to about $7.4B in 2024, an increase of 26.8%. Overall, the County’s economy grew by 66.6% over the last 10 years, essentially matching the broader region (+66.3%), demonstrating consistent and broad-based economic expansion.

Figure 1: GRP in Eaton County, 2014-2024

Source: Points Consulting using Michigan Capital Region Data Hub

Figure 2 displays the cumulative growth in GRP and Personal Income from 2014 to 2024. As noted earlier, GRP in Eaton County had a cumulative growth rate of approximately 66.6%, slightly higher than Personal Income at 57.6%.

The growth rates shown in Figure 2 illustrate that GRP has been more volatile and generally faster growing, with especially large gains between 2021 and 2023, while personal income growth has been smoother but still substantial, particularly during the pandemic period when transfer payments and wage increases boosted incomes. Overall, the data suggest that Eaton County’s economic output has been expanding more rapidly than resident income in recent years, indicating strong production growth but with gains that are not fully translating proportionally into personal income.

Figure 2: Cumulative Growth in GRP vs. Personal Income, 2014-2024

Source: Points Consulting using Michigan Capital Region Data Hub

Figure 3 highlights the industries in Eaton County experiencing the fastest GRP growth over the past decade. The top performers are notably diverse in character. Food Services and Drinking Places led with extraordinary growth of over 204.2%, followed by the Information, Hospitals, Nursing, and Residential Care Facilities, Accommodation, and Federal Civilian industry sectors all growing over 100%. This breadth of growth, spanning health care, hospitality, information, and government sectors, suggests that economic expansion in Eaton County is not reliant on any single driver.

It is important to note that high growth rates do not necessarily indicate the largest contributors to the overall economy, as some industries may be growing from a smaller base. Additionally, the combination of growth in food services, health care, and accommodations suggest a shift towards a service economy in Eaton County. 

Figure 3: Top Growing Industries in Eaton County by GRP, 2014-2024

Source: Points Consulting using Michigan Capital Region Data Hub