Population 67,816 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Montcalm County
Household size in Montcalm County
| Period | Montcalm County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.72 | 2.69 | 2.58 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.64 | 2.70 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.57 | 2.69 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.77 | 2.66 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.06 | −0.03 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Montcalm County holds 2.77 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.72, even as the national average fell. Montcalm County has the largest households of any Michigan county.
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 Montcalm County
| Period | Montcalm County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.2 | 36.0 | 38.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.4 | 37.2 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.6 | 37.9 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.6 | 38.3 | 41.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.4 | +2.3 | +2.4 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Montcalm County are younger than 40.6 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The population here is older than in the Grand Rapids area overall, where the median age is 38.3. The median age has climbed from 38.2 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Montcalm County
| Period | Montcalm County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.3% | 11.0% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.2% | 10.9% | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.7% | 10.5% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.2% | 9.7% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in ten households in Montcalm County (9.2%), below the national share of 11.6%. The picture is much the same across the Grand Rapids area. The single-parent share has fallen 3.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than 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 Montcalm County
Renters in Montcalm County
| Period | Montcalm County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.8% | 24.7% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.7% | 26.9% | 28.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.9% | 26.6% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 16.9% | 25.4% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.0 pts | +0.7 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Montcalm County is largely a place of homeowners: only 16.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 42.8% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share is down 3.0 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 Montcalm County
| Period | Montcalm County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.1% | 9.6% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.1% | 8.8% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.8% | 7.1% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.5% | 6.6% | 10.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.6 pts | −3.0 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs a little high in Montcalm County: 11.5% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy has fallen 4.6 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Montcalm County
| Period | Montcalm County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1972 | 1974 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1973 | 1974 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1975 | 1976 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1978 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +3 | +6 |
Homes in Montcalm County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1977, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1972 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 Montcalm County
| Period | Montcalm County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $673 | $800 | $833 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $735 | $848 | $886 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $756 | $950 | $978 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $909 | $1,285 | $1,228 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$237 | +$485 | +$395 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Montcalm County costs $909 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $237 a month from 2006–10, a 35% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 31.7% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the southwest and lowest in the southeast.
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 Montcalm County
Bachelor's degrees in Montcalm County
| Period | Montcalm County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.9% | 27.1% | 26.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.4% | 29.1% | 27.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 13.1% | 31.9% | 29.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.7% | 36.9% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | +9.8 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Montcalm County: 15.7% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 2.8 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of Michigan's 83 counties, only five have a lower 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 Montcalm County
| Period | Montcalm County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.0% | 88.5% | 88.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.2% | 89.4% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.6% | 91.0% | 90.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.2% | 92.2% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +3.7 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Montcalm County is close to the national rate: 88.2% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in the wider Grand Rapids area (92.2%). The share with a diploma has risen 3.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Montcalm County
| Period | Montcalm County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.8% | 9.2% | 11.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.5% | 9.0% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.0% | 4.2% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.8% | 3.9% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −10.1 pts | −5.3 pts | −5.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Montcalm County is close to the national rate: 4.8% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in the Grand Rapids area as a whole (3.9%). Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 10.1 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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).
Montcalm 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montcalm County | 2.77 | 40.6 | 9.2% | 16.9% | 11.5% | 1977 | $909 | 15.7% | 88.2% | 4.8% |
| Gratiot County | 2.45 | 40.2 | 11.6% | 21.1% | 8.4% | 1966 | $891 | 20.3% | 92.6% | 4.1% |
| Muskegon County | 2.56 | 40.8 | 15.4% | 21.9% | 10.5% | 1969 | $1,093 | 21.1% | 92.1% | 7.2% |
| Saginaw County | 2.40 | 42.2 | 12.9% | 25.9% | 10.1% | 1969 | $1,004 | 24.3% | 91.7% | 6.7% |
| Sanilac County | 2.32 | 44.9 | 9.7% | 17.4% | 14.1% | 1971 | $803 | 16.2% | 90.1% | 5.9% |
| Ozaukee County | 2.43 | 44.5 | 7.1% | 27.1% | 5.2% | 1978 | $1,567 | 51.4% | 97.8% | 2.7% |
| Washington County | 2.44 | 44.6 | 7.8% | 21.9% | 4.7% | 1984 | $1,278 | 35.4% | 95.8% | 2.6% |
| Richland County | 2.34 | 46.5 | 7.4% | 26.1% | 14.9% | 1969 | $911 | 21.1% | 92.7% | 3.4% |
| Crawford County | 2.29 | 47.5 | 8.3% | 22.8% | 19.4% | 1977 | $809 | 18.7% | 92.7% | 3.0% |
| Allamakee County | 2.39 | 42.7 | 6.7% | 20.4% | 15.2% | 1968 | $744 | 22.0% | 92.0% | 2.6% |
| Niagara County | 2.29 | 43.9 | 11.5% | 28.8% | 8.9% | 1962 | $987 | 27.7% | 92.0% | 6.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: San Patricio County, TX · Acadia Parish, LA · Liberty County, GA · Robertson County, TN · Russell County, AL · Rutherford County, NC · Salem County, NJ · Sampson County, NC · San Benito County, CA · Lee County, NC
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 Montcalm 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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