Lawrence, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lawrence, Michigan had a total population of 942, the 451st largest village in Michigan, with a median household income of $36,058, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.1% is notably above the national average.
Lawrence Quick Facts
How Lawrence 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 | 1,186 | 942 | -20.6% |
| Median household income | $36,188 | $36,058 | -0.4% |
| Median home value | $106,700 | $133,900 | +25.5% |
How Lawrence 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+)
Lawrence Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Van Buren County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paw Paw | 3,289 | $41,587 | 21.9% | $148,200 |
| Mattawan | 2,692 | $61,587 | 12.1% | $181,600 |
| Hartford | 2,458 | $42,171 | 16.3% | $108,700 |
| Bangor | 2,129 | $49,764 | 19.9% | $111,200 |
| Lawton | 2,104 | $52,652 | 19.3% | $171,100 |
| Decatur | 1,835 | $61,806 | 19.7% | $137,500 |
| Gobles | 595 | $44,250 | 22.8% | $104,200 |
| Bloomingdale | 522 | $66,250 | 23.8% | $117,500 |
| Breedsville | 288 | $98,750 | 4.9% | $217,200 |
Cities Similar to Lawrence
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hesperia | 934 | $37,174 | $131,300 | 8.5% | 22.0% |
| Quinnesec | 892 | $38,713 | $154,900 | 5.6% | 27.6% |
| Farwell | 974 | $42,188 | $98,700 | 11.4% | 25.9% |
| Lakeview | 1,030 | $33,631 | $165,500 | 10.2% | 30.4% |
| Stephenson | 902 | $44,600 | $101,800 | 16.3% | 15.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 942, Lawrence'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
Lawrence is a small community located in Michigan, within Van Buren County. The total population is 942. It ranks as the 451st most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lawrence is 36.6 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lawrence is $36,058. This is 51% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.9%. This is 119% 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 11.1%. This is 94% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $133,900. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 51.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lawrence is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 42.5%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (42.5% vs 5.9%).
Education
17.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 81.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lawrence, 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 Lawrence, Michigan?
Lawrence, Michigan has a population of 942 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lawrence, MI?
The median household income in Lawrence is $36,058, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lawrence, MI?
The poverty rate in Lawrence is 28.9%. This means approximately 272 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lawrence, Michigan?
Lawrence's population is 54.9% White, 0.4% Black, 42.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lawrence, MI?
The median home value in Lawrence is $133,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Lawrence, Michigan?
17.8% of adults (25+) in Lawrence hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.