Niles, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Niles, Michigan had a total population of 11,803, the 89th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $51,376, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 10.8% is notably above the national average.
Niles Quick Facts
How Niles 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 | 11,838 | 11,803 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $47,815 | $51,376 | +7.4% |
| Median home value | $115,400 | $135,100 | +17.1% |
How Niles 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+)
Niles Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Berrien County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton Harbor | 8,953 | $31,117 | 40.1% | $76,500 |
| St. Joseph | 7,986 | $84,057 | 7.3% | $299,000 |
| Fair Plain | 7,330 | $52,817 | 26.6% | $169,400 |
| 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 Niles
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escanaba | 12,354 | $45,369 | $125,200 | 19.8% | 17.7% |
| Cadillac | 10,445 | $51,773 | $134,300 | 22.1% | 18.2% |
| Coldwater | 13,671 | $50,781 | $137,500 | 13.9% | 21.3% |
| Grand Haven | 10,996 | $60,669 | $250,100 | 36.7% | 14.5% |
| Sault Ste. Marie | 13,335 | $55,328 | $139,400 | 27.0% | 17.8% |
Population Overview
Niles is a small city located in Michigan, within Berrien County. The total population is 11,803. It ranks as the 89th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Niles is 39.2 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Niles is $51,376. This is 30% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.8%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 10.8%. This is 89% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $135,100. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Niles is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Niles is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.8%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
17.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 89.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Niles, 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 Niles, Michigan?
Niles, Michigan has a population of 11,803 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Niles, MI?
The median household income in Niles is $51,376, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Niles, MI?
The poverty rate in Niles is 17.8%. This means approximately 2,072 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Niles, Michigan?
Niles's population is 74.2% White, 13.8% Black, 7.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Niles, MI?
The median home value in Niles is $135,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Niles, Michigan?
17.0% of adults (25+) in Niles hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.