Plainwell, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Plainwell, Michigan had a total population of 3,763, the 216th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $66,525, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Plainwell Quick Facts
How Plainwell 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 | 3,764 | 3,763 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $65,846 | $66,525 | +1.0% |
| Median home value | $191,100 | $220,500 | +15.4% |
How Plainwell 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+)
Plainwell Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Allegan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegan | 5,172 | $52,925 | 13.9% | $176,600 |
| Wayland | 4,457 | $74,464 | 9.9% | $207,400 |
| Otsego | 4,074 | $74,156 | 5.3% | $160,500 |
| South Haven | 3,998 | $68,239 | 15.8% | $454,100 |
| Dorr | 3,702 | $97,519 | 3.0% | $277,600 |
| Fennville | 1,623 | $59,167 | 24.9% | $150,400 |
| Douglas | 1,427 | $81,627 | 4.4% | $426,400 |
| Hopkins | 773 | $75,417 | 20.3% | $241,700 |
| Saugatuck | 766 | $121,178 | 11.0% | $650,800 |
| Martin | 579 | $60,357 | 5.0% | $176,000 |
Cities Similar to Plainwell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | 3,790 | $65,845 | $166,200 | 28.2% | 7.3% |
| Boyne City | 3,825 | $64,855 | $249,000 | 32.9% | 7.8% |
| Paw Paw Lake | 3,889 | $67,674 | $191,700 | 26.1% | 17.8% |
| Williamston | 3,807 | $71,379 | $226,800 | 40.9% | 9.2% |
| Imlay City | 3,721 | $59,911 | $150,000 | 11.9% | 23.5% |
Population Overview
Plainwell is a small community located in Michigan, within Allegan County. The total population is 3,763. It ranks as the 216th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Plainwell is 39.4 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Plainwell is $66,525. This is 9% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.4%. This is 21% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $220,500. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 69.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Plainwell is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.1%. The Black or African American population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (10.1% vs 5.9%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
21.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 95.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Plainwell, 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.
Free data download: Get all Michigan city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Plainwell, Michigan?
Plainwell, Michigan has a population of 3,763 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Plainwell, MI?
The median household income in Plainwell is $66,525, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Plainwell, MI?
The poverty rate in Plainwell is 10.4%. This means approximately 381 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Plainwell, Michigan?
Plainwell's population is 84.1% White, 2.8% Black, 10.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Plainwell, MI?
The median home value in Plainwell is $220,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Plainwell, Michigan?
21.2% of adults (25+) in Plainwell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.