Paw Paw Lake, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Paw Paw Lake, Michigan had a total population of 3,889, the 212th largest community in Michigan, with a median household income of $67,674, which is 7% 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
Paw Paw Lake Quick Facts
How Paw Paw Lake 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 | 3,794 | 3,889 | +2.5% |
| Median household income | $65,360 | $67,674 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $191,100 | $191,700 | +0.3% |
How Paw Paw Lake 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+)
Paw Paw Lake 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 |
| Fair Plain | 7,330 | $52,817 | 26.6% | $169,400 |
| Buchanan | 4,223 | $56,163 | 7.1% | $154,300 |
| 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 Paw Paw Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Haven | 3,998 | $68,239 | $454,100 | 41.2% | 15.8% |
| Marine City | 4,028 | $67,683 | $159,800 | 18.4% | 7.6% |
| Boyne City | 3,825 | $64,855 | $249,000 | 32.9% | 7.8% |
| Portland | 3,790 | $65,845 | $166,200 | 28.2% | 7.3% |
| Belleville | 3,910 | $62,991 | $148,300 | 35.2% | 5.5% |
Population Overview
Paw Paw Lake is a small community located in Michigan, within Berrien County. The total population is 3,889. It ranks as the 212th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Paw Paw Lake is 39.0 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. 12.4% 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 Paw Paw Lake is $67,674. This is 7% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 16% 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 4.7%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $191,700. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Paw Paw Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Paw Paw Lake is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.8%. The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
26.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% 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 87.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Paw Paw Lake, 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 Paw Paw Lake, Michigan?
Paw Paw Lake, Michigan has a population of 3,889 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Paw Paw Lake, MI?
The median household income in Paw Paw Lake is $67,674, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Paw Paw Lake, MI?
The poverty rate in Paw Paw Lake is 17.8%. This means approximately 692 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Paw Paw Lake, Michigan?
Paw Paw Lake's population is 83.6% White, 1.4% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Paw Paw Lake, MI?
The median home value in Paw Paw Lake is $191,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Paw Paw Lake, Michigan?
26.1% of adults (25+) in Paw Paw Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.