Kalkaska, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kalkaska, Michigan had a total population of 2,539, the 266th largest village in Michigan, with a median household income of $57,143, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Kalkaska Quick Facts
How Kalkaska 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 | 2,370 | 2,539 | +7.1% |
| Median household income | $42,955 | $57,143 | +33.0% |
| Median home value | $121,300 | $155,600 | +28.3% |
How Kalkaska 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kalkaska Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Kalkaska County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | 1,328 | $73,021 | 12.7% | $214,700 |
| South Boardman | 553 | $83,750 | 11.4% | $193,300 |
| Manistee Lake | 412 | $56,250 | 9.7% | $175,000 |
| Bear Lake | 343 | $67,188 | 8.2% | $201,500 |
Cities Similar to Kalkaska
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kincheloe | 2,524 | $57,644 | $110,700 | 23.5% | 25.1% |
| Croswell | 2,488 | $55,081 | $149,600 | 8.0% | 17.1% |
| Chesaning | 2,484 | $59,777 | $136,700 | 15.3% | 13.9% |
| Edgemont Park | 2,551 | $62,543 | $162,400 | 35.4% | 13.5% |
| Reed City | 2,517 | $52,304 | $115,000 | 14.0% | 19.9% |
Population Overview
Kalkaska is a small community located in Michigan, within Kalkaska County. The total population is 2,539. It ranks as the 266th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kalkaska is 43.5 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 11.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kalkaska is $57,143. This is 22% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.3%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $155,600. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Kalkaska is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Kalkaska has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.0%. The Black or African American population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
18.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 87.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kalkaska, 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 Kalkaska, Michigan?
Kalkaska, Michigan has a population of 2,539 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kalkaska, MI?
The median household income in Kalkaska is $57,143, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kalkaska, MI?
The poverty rate in Kalkaska is 13.3%. This means approximately 321 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kalkaska, Michigan?
Kalkaska's population is 87.7% White, 3.0% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kalkaska, MI?
The median home value in Kalkaska is $155,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Kalkaska, Michigan?
18.6% of adults (25+) in Kalkaska hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.