Fair Plain, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fair Plain, Michigan had a total population of 7,330, the 142nd largest community in Michigan, with a median household income of $52,817, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.6%.
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 18.1% is notably above the national average.
Fair Plain Quick Facts
How Fair Plain 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 | 7,076 | 7,330 | No clear change (+3.6%) |
| Median household income | $47,375 | $52,817 | No clear change (+11.5%) |
| Median home value¹ | $121,963 | $169,400 | +38.9% |
| Median gross rent | $965 | $1,019 | No clear change (+5.6%) |
How Fair Plain 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: 48.1%
- Black: 37.6%
- Hispanic: 5.5%
- Asian: 1.2%
- Other: 0.9%
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+)
- < High School: 9.6%
- HS Diploma: 36.8%
- Some College: 20.2%
- Associate's: 9.7%
- Bachelor's: 13.4%
- Graduate+: 10.4%
Fair Plain 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 |
| Buchanan | 4,223 | $56,163 | 7.1% | $154,300 |
| 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 Fair Plain
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 7,367 | $51,167 | $119,200 | 6.3% | 13.4% |
| Hastings | 7,520 | $58,286 | $174,500 | 25.4% | 12.5% |
| Bridgeport | 6,884 | $51,071 | $98,800 | 9.7% | 23.8% |
| Iron Mountain | 7,518 | $59,405 | $141,600 | 22.8% | 13.5% |
| Hillsdale | 8,002 | $51,038 | $130,900 | 26.2% | 22.9% |
Population Overview
Fair Plain is a small city located in Michigan, within Berrien County. The total population is 7,330. It ranks as the 142nd most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fair Plain is 40.9 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fair Plain is $52,817. This is 28% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.6%. This is 101% 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 18.1%. This is 217% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $169,400. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 69.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fair Plain is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (37.6% vs 13.1%). The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
23.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 90.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fair Plain, 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 Fair Plain, Michigan?
Fair Plain, Michigan has a population of 7,330 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fair Plain, MI?
The median household income in Fair Plain is $52,817, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fair Plain, MI?
The poverty rate in Fair Plain is 26.6%. This means approximately 1,934 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fair Plain, Michigan?
Fair Plain's population is 48.1% White, 37.6% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fair Plain, MI?
The median home value in Fair Plain is $169,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Fair Plain, Michigan?
23.8% of adults (25+) in Fair Plain hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.