Portage city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Portage city, Michigan has a total population of 49,015, the 25th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $79,529, which is 12% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.5%.
Key Takeaways
- 48.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Michigan.
Portage city Quick Facts
How Portage 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+)
Portage city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Kalamazoo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo city | 73,132 | $48,965 | 27.0% | $164,500 |
| Galesburg city | 2,122 | $50,481 | 22.4% | $104,100 |
| Parchment city | 2,012 | $54,572 | 8.9% | $178,400 |
Cities Similar to Portage city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentwood city | 54,114 | $73,647 | $249,000 | 35.1% | 9.4% |
| Roseville city | 47,240 | $61,222 | $142,700 | 15.3% | 11.8% |
| Midland city | 42,461 | $74,906 | $192,400 | 45.6% | 10.2% |
| St. Clair Shores city | 58,287 | $72,693 | $196,400 | 29.4% | 7.7% |
| Royal Oak city | 57,880 | $95,182 | $305,900 | 62.6% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Portage city is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Kalamazoo County. The total population is 49,015. It ranks as the 25th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portage city is 37.2 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Portage city is $79,529. This is 12% higher than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 1% higher. The poverty rate stands at 7.5%. This is 42% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $243,400. Housing costs are 12% higher than the state median of $217,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 68.0% 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 Portage city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 5.7%. The Black or African American population (5.7%) is well below the state average of 13.2%.
Education
48.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Portage city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 53% higher 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 96.8%. Notably, 20.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portage 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 Portage city, Michigan?
Portage city, Michigan has a population of 49,015 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portage city, MI?
The median household income in Portage city is $79,529, which is 1% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Portage city, MI?
The poverty rate in Portage city is 7.5%. This means approximately 3,663 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portage city, Michigan?
Portage city's population is 80.6% White, 5.7% Black, 5.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portage city, MI?
The median home value in Portage city is $243,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Portage city, Michigan?
48.4% of adults (25+) in Portage city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.