Dowagiac, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dowagiac, Michigan had a total population of 5,732, the 166th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $48,166, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
Dowagiac Quick Facts
How Dowagiac 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 | 5,677 | 5,732 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $38,433 | $48,166 | +25.3% |
| Median home value | $110,300 | $130,800 | +18.6% |
How Dowagiac 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dowagiac Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Cass County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cassopolis | 1,834 | $40,781 | 20.5% | $110,000 |
| Edwardsburg | 1,472 | $52,500 | 18.0% | $122,200 |
| Marcellus | 1,112 | $52,917 | 16.4% | $120,400 |
| Vandalia | 366 | $70,268 | 3.9% | $77,500 |
Cities Similar to Dowagiac
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houghton Lake | 5,769 | $50,305 | $126,200 | 15.2% | 19.0% |
| Zeeland | 5,665 | $52,628 | $299,000 | 29.6% | 10.4% |
| Buena Vista | 5,798 | $41,999 | $62,000 | 11.1% | 20.4% |
| Springfield | 5,269 | $44,808 | $110,800 | 11.9% | 19.1% |
| Ishpeming | 6,181 | $52,754 | $111,900 | 27.0% | 18.7% |
Population Overview
Dowagiac is a small city located in Michigan, within Cass County. The total population is 5,732. It ranks as the 166th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dowagiac is 37.2 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dowagiac is $48,166. This is 34% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.4%. This is 62% 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 8.9%. This is 55% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $130,800. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Dowagiac is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.1% 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 Dowagiac is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (9.2% vs 5.9%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
12.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% 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 86.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dowagiac, 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 Dowagiac, Michigan?
Dowagiac, Michigan has a population of 5,732 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dowagiac, MI?
The median household income in Dowagiac is $48,166, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dowagiac, MI?
The poverty rate in Dowagiac is 21.4%. This means approximately 1,206 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dowagiac, Michigan?
Dowagiac's population is 74.9% White, 8.0% Black, 9.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dowagiac, MI?
The median home value in Dowagiac is $130,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Dowagiac, Michigan?
12.4% of adults (25+) in Dowagiac hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.