Battle Creek city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Battle Creek city, Michigan has a total population of 52,392, the 24th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $51,699, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
Battle Creek city Quick Facts
How Battle Creek city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Battle Creek city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Calhoun County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albion city | 7,608 | $40,040 | 27.2% | $91,100 |
| Marshall city | 6,797 | $75,220 | 6.8% | $169,800 |
| Springfield city | 5,295 | $43,681 | 22.1% | $105,300 |
Cities Similar to Battle Creek city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roseville city | 47,240 | $61,222 | $142,700 | 15.3% | 11.8% |
| Kentwood city | 54,114 | $73,647 | $249,000 | 35.1% | 9.4% |
| East Lansing city | 45,394 | $43,547 | $251,600 | 67.3% | 34.2% |
| Taylor city | 62,405 | $59,537 | $141,200 | 15.8% | 16.7% |
| Dearborn Heights city | 62,099 | $61,035 | $174,900 | 23.9% | 20.4% |
Population Overview
Battle Creek city is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Calhoun County. The total population is 52,392. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Battle Creek city is 37.6 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Battle Creek city is $51,699. This is 27% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.0%. This is 38% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. The unemployment rate is 7.4%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $127,600. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Battle Creek city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Battle Creek city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.6%.
Education
22.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Battle Creek city, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Battle Creek city, Michigan?
Battle Creek city, Michigan has a population of 52,392 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Battle Creek city, MI?
The median household income in Battle Creek city is $51,699, which is 34% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Battle Creek city, MI?
The poverty rate in Battle Creek city is 18.0%. This means approximately 9,292 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Battle Creek city, Michigan?
Battle Creek city's population is 62.8% White, 15.6% Black, 8.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Battle Creek city, MI?
The median home value in Battle Creek city is $127,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Battle Creek city, Michigan?
22.1% of adults (25+) in Battle Creek city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.