Paw Paw, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Paw Paw, Michigan had a total population of 3,289, the 226th largest village in Michigan, with a median household income of $41,587, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Paw Paw Quick Facts
How Paw Paw 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 | 3,277 | 3,289 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $38,989 | $41,587 | +6.7% |
| Median home value | $133,600 | $148,200 | +10.9% |
How Paw Paw 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+)
Paw Paw Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Van Buren County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Lawrence | 942 | $36,058 | 28.9% | $133,900 |
| 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 Paw Paw
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clare | 3,324 | $41,226 | $134,600 | 21.9% | 18.9% |
| Gladwin | 3,098 | $43,005 | $126,900 | 14.6% | 17.4% |
| Skidway Lake | 3,008 | $39,265 | $59,100 | 7.5% | 37.9% |
| Bad Axe | 2,992 | $44,688 | $125,200 | 22.1% | 20.2% |
| Corunna | 3,037 | $46,141 | $151,000 | 14.2% | 14.8% |
Population Overview
Paw Paw is a small community located in Michigan, within Van Buren County. The total population is 3,289. It ranks as the 226th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Paw Paw is 35.6 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Paw Paw is $41,587. This is 43% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.9%. This is 65% 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 5.7%. The median home value is $148,200. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 48.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Paw Paw is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.8%. The Black or African American population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.8% vs 5.9%).
Education
15.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 95.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Paw Paw, 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, Michigan?
Paw Paw, Michigan has a population of 3,289 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Paw Paw, MI?
The median household income in Paw Paw is $41,587, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Paw Paw, MI?
The poverty rate in Paw Paw is 21.9%. This means approximately 680 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Paw Paw, Michigan?
Paw Paw's population is 76.4% White, 2.5% Black, 12.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Paw Paw, MI?
The median home value in Paw Paw is $148,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Paw Paw, Michigan?
15.4% of adults (25+) in Paw Paw hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.