St. Joseph, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. Joseph, Michigan had a total population of 7,986, the 127th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $84,057, which is 15% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 55.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Michigan.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
St. Joseph Quick Facts
How St. Joseph 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 | 7,805 | 7,986 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $77,765 | $84,057 | +8.1% |
| Median home value | $271,100 | $299,000 | +10.3% |
How St. Joseph 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+)
St. Joseph Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Berrien County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niles | 11,803 | $51,376 | 17.8% | $135,100 |
| Benton Harbor | 8,953 | $31,117 | 40.1% | $76,500 |
| Fair Plain | 7,330 | $52,817 | 26.6% | $169,400 |
| Buchanan | 4,223 | $56,163 | 7.1% | $154,300 |
| Paw Paw Lake | 3,889 | $67,674 | 17.8% | $191,700 |
| Benton Heights | 3,078 | $33,542 | 39.5% | $97,700 |
| Watervliet | 2,156 | $61,167 | 15.9% | $137,500 |
| Bridgman | 2,077 | $66,603 | 14.5% | $238,400 |
| Berrien Springs | 2,018 | $65,134 | 13.4% | $159,900 |
| Three Oaks | 1,503 | $66,985 | 9.1% | $215,700 |
Cities Similar to St. Joseph
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitmore Lake | 7,878 | $86,779 | $287,700 | 38.9% | 5.0% |
| Brighton | 7,688 | $80,682 | $339,000 | 48.6% | 8.1% |
| Flushing | 8,284 | $80,025 | $204,500 | 30.3% | 7.0% |
| Mason | 8,249 | $79,117 | $198,000 | 36.5% | 5.3% |
| Hudsonville | 7,769 | $91,280 | $285,700 | 36.1% | 8.3% |
Population Overview
St. Joseph is a small city located in Michigan, within Berrien County. The total population is 7,986. It ranks as the 127th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. Joseph is 42.7 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 12.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in St. Joseph is $84,057. This is 15% higher than the state median of $72,875. It is also 4% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.3%. This is 45% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $299,000. Housing costs are 29% higher than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 58.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in St. Joseph is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.2%. The Black or African American population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 13.1%.
Education
55.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places St. Joseph in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 71% 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 97.7%. Notably, 21.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. Joseph, 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 St. Joseph, Michigan?
St. Joseph, Michigan has a population of 7,986 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. Joseph, MI?
The median household income in St. Joseph is $84,057, which is 4% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. Joseph, MI?
The poverty rate in St. Joseph is 7.3%. This means approximately 550 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. Joseph, Michigan?
St. Joseph's population is 83.7% White, 4.5% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. Joseph, MI?
The median home value in St. Joseph is $299,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is St. Joseph, Michigan?
55.4% of adults (25+) in St. Joseph hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.