Between July 2006 and June 2007, 7,159 people in the region experienced homelessness. According to the 2000 Census, the following percentage of people below 200% of poverty by county:

• Kent 23.5%
• Lake 44.1%
• Mason 31.9%
• Muskegon 30.8%
• Newaygo 32.7%
• Oceana 36.6%
• Ottawa 16.6%
• Montcalm 18.2%
• Ionia 25.7%
• Mecosta 37.8%
• Osceola 35.8%

Unemployment rate by county is as follows:

• Kent 8.7%
• Lake 11.8%
• Mason 6.6%
• Muskegon 9.2%
• Newaygo 9.1%
• Oceana 9.5%
• Ottawa 7.2%
• Montcalm 11.8%
• Ionia 8.8%
• Mecosta 8.6%
• Osceola 9.3%