Kalamazoo, MI Local Data & Statistics

State: MI

Total population: 73,076 Household income: $52,272 Rent: $1,078

Overview

Total population

73,076

Rent

$1,078

Year built

1959

Household income

$52,272

Per capita income

$29,341

Poverty rate

24.9%

Unemployment rate

5.5%

Household size

2.3 persons

Rent over 30% of income

53.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Michigan

Total population

73,076

Adults over 25

39,089

Total households

29,523

Household size

2.3 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$52,272

Per capita income

$29,341

Poverty rate

24.9%

Unemployment rate

5.5%

Rent over 30% of income

53.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$1,078

Year built

1959

Households that rent

57.7%

Households that own

42.3%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.3

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

61.9%

Black

22.5%

Asian

Two or more races

8.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

7.8%

Not Hispanic or Latino

92.2%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

90.2%

Commute time to work

19 mins

Work from home

9.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

29.5%

High school graduate or GED

22.6%

Some college or associate degree

9.5%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

38.5%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Kalamazoo, MI with: Michigan United States

Kalamazoo, MI

Total population73,076

Rent$1,078

Year built1959

Household income$52,272

Per capita income$29,341

Poverty rate24.9%

Unemployment rate5.5%

Michigan State

Total population10,077,761

Rent$1,129

Year built1972

Household income$72,875

Per capita income$40,735

Poverty rate13.2%

Unemployment rate4.7%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CityKalamazoo, MI	StateMichigan	CountryUnited States
Total population	73,076	10,077,761	334,922,499
Rent	$1,078	$1,129	$1,413
Year built	1959	1972	1980
Household income	$52,272	$72,875	$80,734
Per capita income	$29,341	$40,735	$44,673
Poverty rate	24.9%	13.2%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	5.5%	4.7%	4%

View the complete comparison of Kalamazoo, MI, Michigan and United States →

Summary for Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo is located in Michigan.

Rent & Income

In Kalamazoo, the typical monthly rent is $1,078 and the typical household income is $52,272. Rent here is similar to Michigan and lower than the U.S., and household income is lower than both Michigan and the U.S. The estimated poverty rate is 24.9%, which is higher than in both Michigan and national.

Housing & Affordability

Renters make up about 57.7% of households, making this a predominantly renter area. About 53.3% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is high, with about 38.5% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 5.5%, which is higher than both Michigan and the national rate.

Kalamazoo, MI — Rent vs Household Income

Kalamazoo, MI — Poverty vs Unemployment

How Kalamazoo, MI compares in Michigan (24 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$1,078	6 / 24	from lower rent	$915 – $1,747
Household income	$52,272	21 / 24	from higher income	$37,646 – $120,694
Poverty rate	24.9%	22 / 24	from lower poverty	4.7% – 34.1%
Unemployment rate	5.5%	17 / 24	from lower unemployment	2.4% – 13.1%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in Michigan with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for Kalamazoo, MI

Rent

In rent comparisons, Kalamazoo comes in 6th out of 24 large places. Across Michigan, rents vary from $915 in Flint, MI to $1,747 in Novi, MI.

Household income

Looking at household income, Kalamazoo places 21st out of 24 significant areas. Incomes across Michigan range between $37,646 in Flint, MI and $120,694 in Rochester Hills, MI.

Poverty rate

In poverty comparisons, Kalamazoo ranks 22nd out of 24 large places. Statewide rates vary from 4.7% in Livonia, MI to 34.1% in Flint, MI.

Unemployment rate

For unemployment, Kalamazoo ranks 17th out of 24 large places. Across Michigan, unemployment ranges from 2.4% in Royal Oak, MI to 13.1% in Flint, MI.

💰 Rent in Kalamazoo, MI (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,078 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Kalamazoo, MI

Annual Household Income: $52,272

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Kalamazoo, MI

Estimated Rate: 24.9%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Kalamazoo, MI

In Kalamazoo, MI, households that rent: 17,044 (57.7%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	17,044	57.7%
Owner-Occupied	12,479	42.3%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Kalamazoo, MI

In Kalamazoo, MI, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 9,083 (53.3%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	9,083	53.3%
Other renter households	7,961	46.7%
Total renter households	17,044	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Kalamazoo, MI

Less than High School: 11,535 people (29.5%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 8,826 people (22.6%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 3,696 people (9.5%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 15,032 people (38.5%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 39,089

📊 Unemployment Rate in Kalamazoo, MI

Estimated Rate: 5.5%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Redlands, CA72,985 New Britain, CT73,301 Jacksonville, NC73,507 Gulfport, MS72,533 Mount Vernon, NY72,528 Bowling Green, KY73,638 Lakeville, MN72,480 Turlock, CA72,400 Rocklin, CA72,340 Bolingbrook, IL73,813

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.