Dowling, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dowling, Michigan had a total population of 267, the 642nd largest community in Michigan, with a median household income of $90,313, which is 24% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 10.1% is notably above the national average.
Dowling Quick Facts
How Dowling 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 | 411 | 267 | -35.0% |
| Median household income | $63,733 | $90,313 | No clear change (+41.7%) |
| Median home value¹ | $185,345 | $227,200 | No clear change (+22.6%) |
How Dowling 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: 92.1%
- Black: 0.0%
- Hispanic: 0.0%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
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: 9.1%
- HS Diploma: 40.3%
- Some College: 19.9%
- Associate's: 12.4%
- Bachelor's: 11.3%
- Graduate+: 7.0%
Dowling Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Barry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings | 7,520 | $58,286 | 12.5% | $174,500 |
| Middleville | 4,380 | $73,625 | 7.7% | $226,700 |
| Nashville | 1,503 | $56,143 | 9.7% | $130,900 |
| Delton | 936 | $61,552 | 12.3% | $295,200 |
| Freeport | 523 | $66,250 | 13.9% | $175,600 |
| Woodland | 488 | $58,047 | 10.7% | $154,500 |
| Hickory Corners | 196 | $98,397 | 0.0% | $273,400 |
Cities Similar to Dowling
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alba | 282 | $100,870 | N/A | 17.2% | 1.8% |
| Walloon Lake | 294 | $87,303 | $285,400 | 52.2% | 4.4% |
| Breedsville | 288 | $98,750 | $217,200 | 3.1% | 4.9% |
| Bruce Crossing | 257 | $74,583 | $106,400 | 2.1% | 2.7% |
| Lake Ann | 273 | $70,625 | $338,900 | 32.9% | 3.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 267, Dowling's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Dowling is a small community located in Michigan, within Barry County. The total population is 267. It ranks as the 642nd most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dowling is 47.9 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dowling is $90,313. This is 24% higher than the state median of $72,875. It is also 12% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.0%. This is 55% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 10.1%. This is 78% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $227,200. Housing costs are 2% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Dowling is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dowling has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.1% of all residents.
Education
18.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 90.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dowling, 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 Dowling, Michigan?
Dowling, Michigan has a population of 267 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dowling, MI?
The median household income in Dowling is $90,313, which is 12% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dowling, MI?
The poverty rate in Dowling is 6.0%. This means approximately 16 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dowling, Michigan?
Dowling's population is 92.1% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dowling, MI?
The median home value in Dowling is $227,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Dowling, Michigan?
18.3% of adults (25+) in Dowling hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.