Three Rivers, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Three Rivers, Michigan had a total population of 7,943, the 128th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $49,503, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.2% is notably above the national average.
Three Rivers Quick Facts
How Three Rivers Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,659 | 7,943 | +3.7% |
| Median household income | $53,088 | $49,503 | No clear change (-6.8%) |
| Median home value¹ | $105,718 | $134,900 | +27.6% |
| Median gross rent | $850 | $839 | No clear change (-1.3%) |
How Three Rivers Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 77.8%
- Black: 8.0%
- Hispanic: 6.7%
- Asian: 0.6%
- Other: 0.5%
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+)
- < High School: 8.4%
- HS Diploma: 37.1%
- Some College: 32.7%
- Associate's: 7.6%
- Bachelor's: 10.3%
- Graduate+: 3.9%
Three Rivers Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in St. Joseph County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sturgis | 11,054 | $62,710 | 13.4% | $152,600 |
| Constantine | 2,154 | $73,320 | 13.3% | $115,200 |
| White Pigeon | 1,760 | $51,250 | 26.0% | $149,600 |
| Colon | 1,570 | $58,542 | 14.3% | $153,500 |
| Centreville | 1,565 | $59,519 | 13.9% | $166,100 |
| Burr Oak | 818 | $63,816 | 6.8% | $106,400 |
| Mendon | 815 | $82,292 | 8.5% | $142,900 |
Cities Similar to Three Rivers
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsdale | 8,002 | $51,038 | $130,900 | 26.2% | 22.9% |
| Menominee | 8,326 | $49,432 | $104,400 | 18.7% | 16.4% |
| Ludington | 7,676 | $46,411 | $201,100 | 28.9% | 22.5% |
| St. Louis | 7,367 | $51,167 | $119,200 | 6.3% | 13.4% |
| Fair Plain | 7,330 | $52,817 | $169,400 | 23.8% | 26.6% |
Population Overview
Three Rivers is a small city located in Michigan, within St. Joseph County. The total population is 7,943. It ranks as the 128th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Three Rivers is 35.0 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Three Rivers is $49,503. This is 32% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.0%. This is 14% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 10.2%. This is 79% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $134,900. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Three Rivers is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Three Rivers is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.0%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
14.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Three Rivers, 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 Three Rivers, Michigan?
Three Rivers, Michigan has a population of 7,943 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Three Rivers, MI?
The median household income in Three Rivers is $49,503, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Three Rivers, MI?
The poverty rate in Three Rivers is 15.0%. This means approximately 1,150 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Three Rivers, Michigan?
Three Rivers's population is 77.8% White, 8.0% Black, 6.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Three Rivers, MI?
The median home value in Three Rivers is $134,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Three Rivers, Michigan?
14.2% of adults (25+) in Three Rivers hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.