Battle Creek, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Battle Creek, Michigan had a total population of 52,374, the 24th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $55,693, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Battle Creek Quick Facts
How Battle Creek Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,392 | 52,374 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $51,699 | $55,693 | +7.7% |
| Median home value | $127,600 | $141,900 | +11.2% |
How Battle Creek Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Battle Creek Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Calhoun County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albion | 7,560 | $39,885 | 25.1% | $99,900 |
| Marshall | 6,804 | $76,050 | 5.7% | $173,500 |
| Springfield | 5,269 | $44,808 | 19.1% | $110,800 |
| Level Park-Oak Park | 3,488 | $70,652 | 12.3% | $124,500 |
| Union City | 1,940 | $62,788 | 14.5% | $107,500 |
| Brownlee Park | 1,661 | $31,969 | 42.1% | $83,700 |
| Homer | 1,610 | $54,737 | 18.7% | $136,200 |
| Athens | 1,134 | $70,192 | 6.6% | $157,000 |
| Tekonsha | 575 | $55,000 | 21.6% | $98,300 |
| Burlington | 264 | $66,250 | 13.3% | $90,800 |
Cities Similar to Battle Creek
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roseville | 47,123 | $62,182 | $155,800 | 15.5% | 12.5% |
| Kentwood | 54,296 | $74,373 | $268,200 | 36.7% | 10.4% |
| Dearborn Heights | 61,771 | $60,391 | $185,100 | 23.8% | 21.9% |
| Taylor | 62,081 | $61,081 | $152,600 | 16.4% | 18.4% |
| East Lansing | 45,758 | $45,687 | $270,800 | 66.6% | 33.0% |
Population Overview
Battle Creek is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Calhoun County. The total population is 52,374. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Battle Creek is 38.0 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Battle Creek is $55,693. This is 24% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $141,900. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Battle Creek is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Battle Creek is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.6%.
Education
21.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Battle Creek, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Battle Creek, Michigan?
Battle Creek, Michigan has a population of 52,374 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Battle Creek, MI?
The median household income in Battle Creek is $55,693, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Battle Creek, MI?
The poverty rate in Battle Creek is 17.6%. This means approximately 9,065 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Battle Creek, Michigan?
Battle Creek's population is 62.0% White, 15.6% Black, 8.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Battle Creek, MI?
The median home value in Battle Creek is $141,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Battle Creek, Michigan?
21.9% of adults (25+) in Battle Creek hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.