Plainwell city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Plainwell city, Michigan has a total population of 3,764, the 217th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $65,846, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.7%.
Plainwell city Quick Facts
How Plainwell city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Plainwell city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Allegan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegan city | 5,182 | $42,261 | 15.1% | $161,100 |
| Wayland city | 4,430 | $71,797 | 10.2% | $201,200 |
| Otsego city | 4,079 | $76,944 | 3.4% | $155,500 |
| Fennville city | 1,880 | $65,268 | 24.3% | $128,900 |
| Douglas city | 1,295 | $77,841 | 4.4% | $383,000 |
| Saugatuck city | 751 | $118,309 | 11.6% | $619,400 |
Cities Similar to Plainwell city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paw Paw Lake CDP | 3,794 | $65,360 | $191,100 | 28.4% | 22.9% |
| Portland city | 3,821 | $65,116 | $165,000 | 26.1% | 6.7% |
| Boyne City city | 3,829 | $68,087 | $233,900 | 37.8% | 7.5% |
| Vicksburg village | 3,824 | $70,070 | $208,300 | 18.1% | 5.1% |
| Williamston city | 3,800 | $73,902 | $215,000 | 46.0% | 8.3% |
Population Overview
Plainwell city is a small community located in Michigan, within Allegan County. The total population is 3,764. It ranks as the 217th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Plainwell city is 39.9 years. This is about average than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Plainwell city is $65,846. This is 7% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 16% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.7%. This is 10% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 1% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $191,100. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Plainwell city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Plainwell city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.6%. The Black or African American population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (11.6% vs 5.7%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
21.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Plainwell city, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Plainwell city, Michigan?
Plainwell city, Michigan has a population of 3,764 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Plainwell city, MI?
The median household income in Plainwell city is $65,846, which is 16% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Plainwell city, MI?
The poverty rate in Plainwell city is 11.7%. This means approximately 428 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Plainwell city, Michigan?
Plainwell city's population is 83.3% White, 2.3% Black, 11.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Plainwell city, MI?
The median home value in Plainwell city is $191,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Plainwell city, Michigan?
21.8% of adults (25+) in Plainwell city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.