Population 262,375 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Kalamazoo County
Household size in Kalamazoo County
| Period | Kalamazoo County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.45 | 2.58 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.51 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.50 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.47 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.02 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Households in Kalamazoo County run small, averaging 2.47 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Michigan as a whole looks much the same. Compared with other Michigan counties, though, Kalamazoo County has larger households than most.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Kalamazoo County
| Period | Kalamazoo County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.5 | 38.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.9 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.9 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.5 | 41.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.0 | +2.4 | +2.3 |
Kalamazoo County is a little younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 37.5, against 40.1 nationally. The median age has climbed from 36.5 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Few Michigan counties are younger: only four of 83.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Kalamazoo County
| Period | Kalamazoo County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.6% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.6% | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.4% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.8% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in ten households in Kalamazoo County (10.8%), close to the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 0.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Kalamazoo County has a higher share of single-parent households than the great majority of Michigan counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Kalamazoo County
Renters in Kalamazoo County
| Period | Kalamazoo County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.8% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 35.9% | 28.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 36.0% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 35.5% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting in Kalamazoo County is about as common as it is nationally: 35.5% of households rent, against 34.8%. Renters make up a bigger share here than in Michigan overall (26.8%). Just over four in ten owners (42.2%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Few Michigan counties have a higher share of renters: only three of 83.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Kalamazoo County
| Period | Kalamazoo County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.3% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.6% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.3% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.6% | 10.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Kalamazoo County: 7.6% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Vacancy is down 1.7 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Kalamazoo County has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five Michigan counties.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Kalamazoo County
| Period | Kalamazoo County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1970 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1971 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1973 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1975 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +3 | +6 |
Housing in Kalamazoo County leans a little older: the median home dates to 1975, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1970 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the center.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Kalamazoo County
| Period | Kalamazoo County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $716 | $833 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $796 | $886 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $851 | $978 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,167 | $1,228 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$451 | +$395 | +$606 |
The median renter in Kalamazoo County pays $1,167 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $451 a month since 2006–10, up 63%, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 31.1% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the northwest; the most affordable are in the northeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Kalamazoo County
Bachelor's degrees in Kalamazoo County
| Period | Kalamazoo County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.6% | 26.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 35.2% | 27.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 40.0% | 29.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 40.8% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.2 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a bit more common in Kalamazoo County than nationally: 40.8% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 6.2 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of Michigan's 83 counties, only six have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Kalamazoo County
| Period | Kalamazoo County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.9% | 88.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.6% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.6% | 90.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.3% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Kalamazoo County: 94.3% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 2.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Kalamazoo County has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five Michigan counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Kalamazoo County
| Period | Kalamazoo County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.8% | 11.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.7% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.4% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.3% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.5 pts | −5.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Kalamazoo County is close to the national rate: 5.3% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Unemployment is down 5.5 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Kalamazoo County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo County | 2.47 | 37.5 | 10.8% | 35.5% | 7.6% | 1975 | $1,167 | 40.8% | 94.3% | 5.3% |
| Van Buren County | 2.48 | 42.5 | 11.8% | 19.4% | 15.2% | 1977 | $958 | 22.7% | 89.8% | 4.3% |
| Calhoun County | 2.51 | 41.0 | 12.4% | 27.3% | 11.0% | 1963 | $1,006 | 22.7% | 91.3% | 6.5% |
| Jackson County | 2.49 | 41.4 | 10.7% | 25.0% | 9.8% | 1968 | $1,032 | 23.7% | 92.5% | 5.2% |
| Washtenaw County | 2.44 | 38.2 | 8.0% | 38.4% | 6.8% | 1979 | $1,610 | 58.5% | 95.5% | 4.7% |
| Wayne County | 2.64 | 38.8 | 14.5% | 35.2% | 11.4% | 1960 | $1,257 | 27.2% | 87.4% | 9.1% |
| Lake County | 2.77 | 39.5 | 10.0% | 25.2% | 5.8% | 1980 | $1,746 | 45.6% | 90.5% | 4.9% |
| McHenry County | 2.71 | 41.4 | 9.3% | 17.3% | 4.3% | 1985 | $1,557 | 35.3% | 93.6% | 4.6% |
| Boone County | 2.78 | 41.0 | 12.1% | 18.2% | 5.2% | 1984 | $1,234 | 24.0% | 86.8% | 6.7% |
| Winnebago County | 2.49 | 40.4 | 13.9% | 34.1% | 8.2% | 1972 | $1,110 | 25.1% | 88.5% | 7.6% |
| Stephenson County | 2.26 | 46.2 | 11.4% | 29.1% | 9.7% | 1960 | $779 | 21.2% | 92.3% | 4.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: St. Louis County, MN · Chesapeake City, VA · Clay County, FL · Clay County, MO · Clayton County, GA · Clermont County, OH · Cumberland County, NC · Douglas County, CO · San Luis Obispo County, CA · Saratoga County, NY
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Kalamazoo County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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