ZIP Code 49120: Population, Income, Housing

State: MI
Total population: 36,495 Household income: $65,148 Rent: $906

Overview

Total population
36,495
Rent
$906
Year built
1964
Household income
$65,148
Per capita income
$34,555
Poverty rate
14.4%
Unemployment rate
N/A
Household size
2.5 persons
Rent over 30% of income
42.4%

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

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State
Michigan
County
Berrien County
City
Niles
Total population
36,495
Adults over 25
25,379
Total households
14,425
Household size
2.5 persons

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

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Income & Poverty

Household income
$65,148
Per capita income
$34,555
Poverty rate
14.4%
Unemployment rate
N/A
Rent over 30% of income
42.4%

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

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Housing

Rent
$906
Year built
1964
Households that rent
20.9%
Households that own
79.1%
Rooms per home (all homes)
5.9

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

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Race

White
83.2%
Black
7%
Asian
0.7%
Two or more races
6.4%

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

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
4.9%
Not Hispanic or Latino
95.1%

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

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Commute

Commute rate
14,972 (92.8%)
Commute time to work
23 mins
Work from home
1,153 (7.2%)

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

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Education

Less than high school
31.4%
High school graduate or GED
35.4%
Some college or associate degree
13.1%
Bachelor’s degree or higher
20.1%

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

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

 

Comparison of ZIP Code 49120 with: Berrien County, MI Michigan United States

ZIP 49120

Total population36,495
Rent$906
Year built1964
Household income$65,148
Per capita income$34,555
Poverty rate14.4%
Unemployment rateN/A

Berrien County, MI

Total population153,288
Rent$942
Year built1966
Household income$65,425
Per capita income$38,351
Poverty rate15.1%
Unemployment rate5.6%

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 ZIP49120 CountyBerrien, MIStateMichiganCountryUnited States
Total population36,495153,28810,077,761334,922,499
Rent$906$942$1,129$1,413
Year built1964196619721980
Household income$65,148$65,425$72,875$80,734
Per capita income$34,555$38,351$40,735$44,673
Poverty rate14.4%15.1%13.2%12.5%
Unemployment rateN/A5.6%4.7%4%

View the full multi-level comparison →

 

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Summary for 49120

Rent & Income

In 49120, the typical monthly rent is $906 and the typical household income is $65,148. Rent here is lower than Michigan, and household income is lower than Michigan. The estimated poverty rate is 14.4%.

Housing & Affordability

This ZIP Code is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 20.9% of households. About 42.4% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is moderate, with about 20.1% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.

 

ZIP 49120 — Rent vs Household Income

 

 

ZIP 49120 — Poverty

 

 

How ZIP 49120 compares in Michigan (88 ZIP Codes)

Metric This ZIP Rank Starts from State range
Rent $906 2 / 88 from lower rent $856 – $2,049
Household income $65,148 53 / 88 from higher income $30,680 – $131,558
Poverty rate 14.4% 53 / 88 from lower poverty 3.2% – 41.8%

Rankings are calculated among ZIP Codes in Michigan with total population > 30,000 (year 2024).

 

Detailed Ranking Explanation for ZIP Code 49120

Rent

When it comes to rent, ZIP Code 49120 ranks 2nd out of 88 ZIP Codes in Michigan. Statewide, values range from $856 in ZIP 48601 up to $2,049 in ZIP 48322.

Household income

Income-wise, this area is placed 53rd out of 88 ZIP Codes. Across Michigan, figures vary from $30,680 in ZIP 48228 up to $131,558 in ZIP 48178.

Poverty rate

When it comes to poverty, ZIP Code 49120 places 53rd out of 88 ZIP Codes. Throughout Michigan, numbers span from 3.2% in ZIP 48042 up to 41.8% in ZIP 48228.

 

💰 Rent in ZIP Code 49120 (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $906 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 like heat, water, and electricity.

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 ZIP Code 49120

Annual Household Income: $65,148

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in the ZIP code — 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 ZIP Code 49120

Estimated Rate: 14.4%

💡 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 ZIP Code 49120

In ZIP Code 49120, households that rent: 3,017 (20.9%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this ZIP Code?
Household Type Count Share
Renter-Occupied 3,017 20.9%
Owner-Occupied 11,408 79.1%

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 ZIP Code 49120

In ZIP Code 49120, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 1,278 (42.4%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?
Household Group Households Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%) 1,278 42.4%
Other renter households 1,739 57.6%
Total renter households 3,017 100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in the ZIP code 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 ZIP Code 49120

Less than High School: 7,965 people (31.4%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 8,983 people (35.4%)

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

Some College or Associate Degree: 3,319 people (13.1%)

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

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 5,112 people (20.1%)

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

👥 Total Adults (25+): 25,379

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.