Portage, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Portage, Michigan had a total population of 49,259, the 25th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $83,212, which is 14% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Portage Quick Facts
How Portage 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 | 49,015 | 49,259 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $79,529 | $83,212 | +4.6% |
| Median home value | $243,400 | $262,300 | +7.8% |
How Portage 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+)
Portage Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Kalamazoo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo | 73,076 | $52,272 | 24.9% | $179,000 |
| Westwood | 8,867 | $58,205 | 14.1% | $193,400 |
| Eastwood | 6,669 | $53,977 | 10.3% | $160,600 |
| Comstock Northwest | 5,391 | $73,475 | 6.9% | $261,100 |
| Vicksburg | 3,934 | $72,656 | 5.0% | $231,500 |
| Galesburg | 2,023 | $52,153 | 25.7% | $120,800 |
| Parchment | 2,008 | $72,798 | 6.6% | $184,000 |
| South Gull Lake | 1,801 | $188,750 | 0.8% | N/A |
| Schoolcraft | 1,275 | $75,000 | 8.8% | $224,800 |
| Richland | 1,098 | $95,104 | 7.8% | $289,300 |
Cities Similar to Portage
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentwood | 54,296 | $74,373 | $268,200 | 36.7% | 10.4% |
| Roseville | 47,123 | $62,182 | $155,800 | 15.5% | 12.5% |
| Midland | 42,724 | $73,325 | $203,900 | 44.6% | 10.3% |
| St. Clair Shores | 58,140 | $73,500 | $210,700 | 29.7% | 8.4% |
| Royal Oak | 57,950 | $101,109 | $328,700 | 64.1% | 6.2% |
Population Overview
Portage is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Kalamazoo County. The total population is 49,259. It ranks as the 25th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portage is 38.5 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Portage is $83,212. This is 14% higher than the state median of $72,875. It is also 3% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.1%. This is 46% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $262,300. Housing costs are 13% higher than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 69.0% 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 Portage is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.2%. The Black or African American population (6.2%) is well below the state average of 13.1%.
Education
47.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% higher 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 96.7%. Notably, 19.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portage, 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 Portage, Michigan?
Portage, Michigan has a population of 49,259 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portage, MI?
The median household income in Portage is $83,212, which is 3% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Portage, MI?
The poverty rate in Portage is 7.1%. This means approximately 3,486 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portage, Michigan?
Portage's population is 79.5% White, 6.2% Black, 5.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portage, MI?
The median home value in Portage is $262,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Portage, Michigan?
47.9% of adults (25+) in Portage hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.