Buchanan, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Buchanan, Michigan had a total population of 4,223, the 200th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $56,163, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Buchanan Quick Facts
How Buchanan Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,304 | 4,223 | -1.9% |
| Median household income | $52,420 | $56,163 | No clear change (+7.1%) |
| Median home value¹ | $135,009 | $154,300 | +14.3% |
| Median gross rent | $829 | $903 | No clear change (+8.9%) |
How Buchanan Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 78.5%
- Black: 1.2%
- Hispanic: 9.1%
- Asian: 0.6%
- Other: 0.4%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 6.8%
- HS Diploma: 40.4%
- Some College: 31.6%
- Associate's: 8.0%
- Bachelor's: 12.4%
- Graduate+: 0.7%
Buchanan Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Berrien County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niles | 11,803 | $51,376 | 17.8% | $135,100 |
| Benton Harbor | 8,953 | $31,117 | 40.1% | $76,500 |
| St. Joseph | 7,986 | $84,057 | 7.3% | $299,000 |
| Fair Plain | 7,330 | $52,817 | 26.6% | $169,400 |
| Paw Paw Lake | 3,889 | $67,674 | 17.8% | $191,700 |
| Benton Heights | 3,078 | $33,542 | 39.5% | $97,700 |
| Watervliet | 2,156 | $61,167 | 15.9% | $137,500 |
| Bridgman | 2,077 | $66,603 | 14.5% | $238,400 |
| Berrien Springs | 2,018 | $65,134 | 13.4% | $159,900 |
| Three Oaks | 1,503 | $66,985 | 9.1% | $215,700 |
Cities Similar to Buchanan
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algonac | 4,139 | $56,820 | $199,500 | 14.7% | 14.5% |
| Sparta | 4,271 | $60,728 | $215,400 | 23.3% | 9.3% |
| Vandercook Lake | 4,375 | $59,262 | $136,600 | 18.7% | 7.0% |
| Roosevelt Park | 4,144 | $62,857 | $193,300 | 17.8% | 12.1% |
| Fremont | 4,568 | $57,452 | $194,700 | 29.4% | 8.7% |
Population Overview
Buchanan is a small community located in Michigan, within Berrien County. The total population is 4,223. It ranks as the 200th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buchanan is 32.7 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buchanan is $56,163. This is 23% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.1%. This is 46% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $154,300. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Buchanan is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Buchanan is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.1%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (9.1% vs 5.9%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
13.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 93.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buchanan, 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 Buchanan, Michigan?
Buchanan, Michigan has a population of 4,223 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buchanan, MI?
The median household income in Buchanan is $56,163, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Buchanan, MI?
The poverty rate in Buchanan is 7.1%. This means approximately 299 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buchanan, Michigan?
Buchanan's population is 78.5% White, 1.2% Black, 9.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buchanan, MI?
The median home value in Buchanan is $154,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Buchanan, Michigan?
13.1% of adults (25+) in Buchanan hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.