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 Clinton 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, Clinton County’s economy has grown at different paces over the last decade. From 2014 through 2020, GRP in the County grew by about 14.7%. This was slow compared to the Tri County region, where GRP grew by 27.2% in the same period. However, from 2020 through 2024, Clinton County’s GRP has grown significantly faster. In fact, the County’s GRP increased from about $2.3B in 2020 to about $3.2B in 2024, an increase of 36.5%. The growth Clinton County saw in the last five years was faster than the Tri County region at 30.8%. Overall, the County’s economy grew by 56.6% over the last 10 years, slightly slower than the broader region (+66.3%), despite accelerating since 2020.

Figure 1: GRP in Clinton 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 Clinton County had a cumulative growth rate approximately 56.6%, slightly slower than Personal Income at 65.7%. Both GRP and personal income show accelerated growth in the post-2020 period, indicating accelerated growth following the preceding slower growth period.

Because GRP accounts for out-of-region spending (e.g. importing intermediate parts from other states or other countries), it is typically lower than Personal Income. Figure 2 also shows that GRP and Personal Income are growing about parallel to one another. This is a positive sign for the economy, as these two growth lines can diverge. Broader economic challenges are signaled when growing apart (Personal Income increasing while GRP is growing more slowly). For instance, an aging population with more retirees would draw in more and more investment income and social security payments but may not be working and providing additional value to the overall economy. However, these data show Clinton County to be quite balanced, a positive sign for the regional economy.

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 Clinton County experiencing the fastest GRP growth over the past decade, each expanding by more than 110%. Notably, this growth is distributed across a diverse set of industries, including both higher-paying sectors such as Information and Construction, as well as lower-wage, population-serving sectors like Food Services and Drinking Places. This pattern suggests that economic expansion is not concentrated in a single industry, which may enhance the region’s economic resilience.

However, it is important to note that high growth rates do not necessarily indicate the largest contributors to the economy, as some of these industries may be growing from a smaller base. Additionally, growth in Construction and Real Estate points to increased development activity, while gains in Food Services likely reflect rising local demand.

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

 

Source: Points Consulting using Michigan Capital Region Data Hub