West Branch, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Branch, Michigan had a total population of 2,225, the 283rd largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $41,250, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
West Branch Quick Facts
How West Branch 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 | 2,177 | 2,225 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $40,078 | $41,250 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $114,300 | $147,800 | +29.3% |
How West Branch 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+)
West Branch Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Ogemaw County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skidway Lake | 3,008 | $39,265 | 37.9% | $59,100 |
| Rose City | 575 | $25,179 | 32.2% | $101,700 |
| Prescott | 270 | $57,885 | 17.4% | $68,800 |
| Lupton | 206 | $60,208 | 16.0% | $77,500 |
Cities Similar to West Branch
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison | 2,110 | $39,430 | $135,100 | 12.4% | 25.5% |
| Hartford | 2,458 | $42,171 | $108,700 | 6.9% | 16.3% |
| Bronson | 2,083 | $46,359 | $114,800 | 13.0% | 20.9% |
| Montrose | 2,027 | $44,151 | $113,300 | 10.7% | 28.9% |
| Newaygo | 2,512 | $40,689 | $115,200 | 10.5% | 19.9% |
Population Overview
West Branch is a small community located in Michigan, within Ogemaw County. The total population is 2,225. It ranks as the 283rd most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Branch is 43.0 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 15.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Branch is $41,250. This is 43% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.1%. This is 75% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $147,800. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 41.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
West Branch has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.2%. The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
21.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 92.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West Branch, 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 West Branch, Michigan?
West Branch, Michigan has a population of 2,225 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Branch, MI?
The median household income in West Branch is $41,250, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Branch, MI?
The poverty rate in West Branch is 23.1%. This means approximately 476 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Branch, Michigan?
West Branch's population is 89.5% White, 2.2% Black, 4.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Branch, MI?
The median home value in West Branch is $147,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is West Branch, Michigan?
21.7% of adults (25+) in West Branch hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.