Kalamazoo, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kalamazoo, Michigan had a total population of 73,076, the 16th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $52,272, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Kalamazoo Quick Facts
How Kalamazoo 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 | 73,132 | 73,076 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $48,965 | $52,272 | +6.8% |
| Median home value | $164,500 | $179,000 | +8.8% |
How Kalamazoo 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kalamazoo Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Kalamazoo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portage | 49,259 | $83,212 | 7.1% | $262,300 |
| Westwood | 8,867 | $58,205 | 14.1% | $193,400 |
| Eastwood | 6,669 | $53,977 | 10.3% | $160,600 |
| Comstock Northwest | 5,391 | $73,475 | 6.9% | $261,100 |
| Vicksburg | 3,934 | $72,656 | 5.0% | $231,500 |
| Galesburg | 2,023 | $52,153 | 25.7% | $120,800 |
| Parchment | 2,008 | $72,798 | 6.6% | $184,000 |
| South Gull Lake | 1,801 | $188,750 | 0.8% | N/A |
| Schoolcraft | 1,275 | $75,000 | 8.8% | $224,800 |
| Richland | 1,098 | $95,104 | 7.8% | $289,300 |
Cities Similar to Kalamazoo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southfield | 76,236 | $68,166 | $236,200 | 40.7% | 10.3% |
| Westland | 83,633 | $62,076 | $184,600 | 23.0% | 14.3% |
| Wyoming | 77,353 | $73,677 | $225,200 | 25.5% | 10.5% |
| Dearborn Heights | 61,771 | $60,391 | $185,100 | 23.8% | 21.9% |
| Taylor | 62,081 | $61,081 | $152,600 | 16.4% | 18.4% |
Population Overview
Kalamazoo is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Kalamazoo County. The total population is 73,076. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kalamazoo is 26.9 years. This is 33% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kalamazoo is $52,272. 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 24.9%. This is 88% 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 6.9%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $179,000. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 42.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kalamazoo is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 22.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (22.3% vs 13.1%).
Education
38.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% higher 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 91.1%. Notably, 15.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kalamazoo, 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 Kalamazoo, Michigan?
Kalamazoo, Michigan has a population of 73,076 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kalamazoo, MI?
The median household income in Kalamazoo is $52,272, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kalamazoo, MI?
The poverty rate in Kalamazoo is 24.9%. This means approximately 16,607 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kalamazoo, Michigan?
Kalamazoo's population is 60.0% White, 22.3% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kalamazoo, MI?
The median home value in Kalamazoo is $179,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Kalamazoo, Michigan?
38.5% of adults (25+) in Kalamazoo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.