Upper Midwest Cities Experiencing Rapid Upper-Middle Class Growth: A Data-Driven Analysis

The upper-middle class demographic is experiencing significant expansion across the upper Midwest region, with new research revealing dramatic shifts in income distribution patterns. According to a comprehensive GOBankingRates analysis examining 50 top-performing cities, 10 of the most notable growth centers are concentrated throughout the upper Midwest corridor. Households earning between $100,000 and $150,000 have emerged as a key indicator of regional economic momentum over the past five years.

Regional Trends: What the Numbers Tell Us

Between 2018 and 2023, the upper Midwest has witnessed transformative demographic changes among higher-earning households. The data reveals substantial variations across cities, with growth rates ranging from the high 70s down to the low 60s in percentage terms. This expansion reflects broader economic trends including job creation, wage growth, and regional investment patterns that have reshaped income demographics across these upper Midwest communities.

Leading Growth Markets

Evansville, Indiana has emerged as the top performer in this upper Midwest cohort, with household counts in the $100K-$150K bracket surging from 3,577 in 2018 to 6,378 by 2023—a remarkable 78.3% increase. The city maintains a household median income of $52,251, indicating significant opportunity for middle-income earners to transition upward. Grand Rapids, Michigan follows closely, registering a 71.5% uptick in upper-middle-class households, growing from 8,158 to 13,987 during the same period, with a median household income of $65,526.

South Bend, Indiana similarly demonstrates strong momentum, with upper-middle-income households increasing by 71.2%—from 3,182 to 5,446. The city’s median household income stands at $52,512. Davenport, Iowa rounds out the top performers with a 68.9% expansion, moving from 4,489 to 7,580 households, backed by a median income of $64,497.

Major Metropolitan Transformations

Detroit, Michigan represents the largest absolute growth in total household count within this income bracket, expanding from 13,759 to 23,224—a 68.8% increase—despite maintaining a relatively modest median household income of $39,575. This suggests significant upward mobility among the city’s workforce. Kansas City, Kansas achieved a 65.1% expansion, growing from 5,604 to 9,251 households earning $100K-$150K annually, with median household income of $59,183.

Dayton, Ohio registered 64.7% growth across the upper-middle class segment, with households increasing from 3,310 to 5,450. The city’s median household income is $43,454. Green Bay, Wisconsin demonstrated consistent growth of 63.4%, with the income bracket expanding from 4,376 to 7,150 households and median household income at $62,546.

Sustained Momentum in Ohio Markets

Akron, Ohio experienced 63.4% growth in upper-middle-income households, rising from 6,176 to 10,091, with median household income of $48,544. Cleveland, Ohio rounded out the upper Midwest cohort with a 60.6% expansion, increasing from 9,315 to 14,959 households in the $100K-$150K range, maintaining a median household income of $39,187.

Methodology and Data Context

This analysis evaluated cities with minimum populations of 40,000 households using U.S. Census American Community Survey data. The upper-middle class was defined as households earning between $100,000 and $149,000 annually. All figures reflect comparative data from 2018 and 2023, with calculations current as of April 1, 2025. The percent change metric demonstrates the growth velocity of this income segment across each upper Midwest city studied.

Key Takeaway

The concentration of upper-middle-class growth across the upper Midwest reflects emerging economic opportunities and regional competitiveness in attracting and retaining higher-earning professionals. These cities represent compelling markets for understanding income distribution evolution and economic resilience patterns across American metropolitan areas.