Population 18,239 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Kalkaska County
Household size in Kalkaska County
| Period | Kalkaska County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.33 | 2.58 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.40 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.44 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.34 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.01 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Households in Kalkaska County are small: just 2.34 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southwest.
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 Kalkaska County
| Period | Kalkaska County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.7 | 38.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.5 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.5 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.5 | 41.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.8 | +2.4 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 44.5, Kalkaska County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 42.7, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the west, the oldest in the northeast.
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 Kalkaska County
| Period | Kalkaska County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.1% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.2% | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.6% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.1% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.1 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit less common in Kalkaska County than nationally: 10.1%, against 11.6%. Michigan as a whole looks much the same. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.1 points, as it has nationally.
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 Kalkaska County
Renters in Kalkaska County
| Period | Kalkaska County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.5% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.2% | 28.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.4% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 11.8% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −4.6 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Kalkaska County is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 11.8% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About four in ten owners (39.6%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. The renter share is down 4.6 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 Kalkaska County
| Period | Kalkaska County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.8% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 35.3% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 35.7% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 28.0% | 10.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.8 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 28.0% of the housing in Kalkaska County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 4.8 points, mirroring the country.
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 Kalkaska County
| Period | Kalkaska County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1979 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1982 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +3 | +6 |
Homes in Kalkaska County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1981, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are newer than in Michigan as a whole, where the median home dates to 1972. Kalkaska County has newer homes than the great majority of Michigan counties.
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 Kalkaska County
| Period | Kalkaska County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $736 | $833 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $733 | $886 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $755 | $978 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $945 | $1,228 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$208 | +$395 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Kalkaska County costs $945 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $208 a month from 2006–10, a 28% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 31.2% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the west; the highest are in the south.
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 Kalkaska County
Bachelor's degrees in Kalkaska County
| Period | Kalkaska County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.0% | 26.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.0% | 27.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.5% | 29.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.7% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.7 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Kalkaska County: 18.7% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 6.7 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the center.
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 Kalkaska County
| Period | Kalkaska County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.7% | 88.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.1% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.2% | 90.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.5% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.8 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Kalkaska County have finished high school as nationally: 90.5%, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 5.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Kalkaska County has a lower share of high school graduates than the great majority of 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 Kalkaska County
| Period | Kalkaska County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.2% | 11.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.7% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −11.2 pts | −5.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Kalkaska County runs below the national rate: 4.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 11.2 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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).
Kalkaska 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalkaska County | 2.34 | 44.5 | 10.1% | 11.8% | 28.0% | 1981 | $945 | 18.7% | 90.5% | 4.0% |
| Grand Traverse County | 2.39 | 44.2 | 9.3% | 22.8% | 12.5% | 1986 | $1,335 | 39.6% | 95.5% | 3.6% |
| Crawford County | 2.15 | 49.9 | 10.0% | 20.4% | 31.4% | 1979 | $880 | 20.0% | 91.4% | 8.1% |
| Benzie County | 2.35 | 50.1 | 6.2% | 12.2% | 30.1% | 1984 | $1,053 | 36.7% | 94.0% | 3.4% |
| Oscoda County | 2.28 | 51.9 | 8.4% | 12.8% | 49.1% | 1974 | $798 | 15.7% | 85.6% | 8.1% |
| Alcona County | 1.95 | 58.8 | 6.6% | 10.4% | 43.9% | 1975 | $892 | 21.2% | 92.9% | 4.4% |
| Oconto County | 2.38 | 46.6 | 7.9% | 15.0% | 16.9% | 1981 | $858 | 19.5% | 93.5% | 2.0% |
| Shawano County | 2.38 | 45.6 | 8.3% | 22.5% | 14.5% | 1975 | $883 | 19.4% | 93.4% | 2.6% |
| Clark County | 2.74 | 36.5 | 7.8% | 21.5% | 11.7% | 1971 | $846 | 12.8% | 81.8% | 3.7% |
| Eau Claire County | 2.35 | 37.2 | 8.0% | 39.0% | 5.4% | 1978 | $1,091 | 36.7% | 95.6% | 2.8% |
| Pierce County | 2.54 | 39.4 | 7.5% | 25.0% | 7.4% | 1979 | $1,106 | 33.2% | 96.6% | 3.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Union County, IA · Buffalo County, WI · Bullock County, AL · Butler County, KY · Butte County, SD · Caddo County, OK · Caldwell County, KY · Caldwell County, MO · Caldwell Parish, LA · Calhoun County, FL
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 Kalkaska 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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