Coldwater, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Coldwater, Michigan had a total population of 13,671, the 78th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $50,781, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
Coldwater Quick Facts
How Coldwater 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 | 12,241 | 13,671 | +11.7% |
| Median household income | $53,167 | $50,781 | No clear change (-4.5%) |
| Median home value¹ | $108,548 | $137,500 | +26.7% |
| Median gross rent | $911 | $943 | No clear change (+3.5%) |
How Coldwater 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: 82.6%
- Black: 4.5%
- Hispanic: 7.6%
- Asian: 0.3%
- Other: 0.7%
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: 11.1%
- HS Diploma: 39.6%
- Some College: 24.9%
- Associate's: 10.4%
- Bachelor's: 10.8%
- Graduate+: 3.1%
Coldwater Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Branch County
Cities Similar to Coldwater
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sault Ste. Marie | 13,335 | $55,328 | $139,400 | 27.0% | 17.8% |
| Owosso | 14,632 | $54,229 | $132,600 | 21.1% | 17.2% |
| Mount Clemens | 15,511 | $52,310 | $179,400 | 18.0% | 16.4% |
| Niles | 11,803 | $51,376 | $135,100 | 17.0% | 17.8% |
| Escanaba | 12,354 | $45,369 | $125,200 | 19.8% | 17.7% |
Population Overview
Coldwater is a small city located in Michigan, within Branch County. The total population is 13,671. It ranks as the 78th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Coldwater is 39.5 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Coldwater is $50,781. This is 30% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.3%. This is 61% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.3%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $137,500. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Coldwater is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Coldwater is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.6%. The Black or African American population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
13.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Coldwater, 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 Coldwater, Michigan?
Coldwater, Michigan has a population of 13,671 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Coldwater, MI?
The median household income in Coldwater is $50,781, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Coldwater, MI?
The poverty rate in Coldwater is 21.3%. This means approximately 2,538 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Coldwater, Michigan?
Coldwater's population is 82.6% White, 4.5% Black, 7.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Coldwater, MI?
The median home value in Coldwater is $137,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Coldwater, Michigan?
13.9% of adults (25+) in Coldwater hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.