Population 75,795 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Van Buren County: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Van Buren County
Household size in Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.62 | 2.58 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.65 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.55 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.48 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.14 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
The average household in Van Buren County has 2.48 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. That is in line with the rest of Michigan. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.62, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.7 | 38.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.2 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.2 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.5 | 41.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.8 | +2.4 | +2.3 |
Van Buren County skews a little older than the country: its median age is 42.5, against 40.1 nationally. That is in line with the rest of Michigan. The median age has climbed from 39.7 in 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.4% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.5% | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.7% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.8% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are about as common in Van Buren County as they are nationally: 11.8%, against 11.6%. Single parents are more common here than in Michigan as a whole (10.7%). Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged up 1.4 points, even as the national share fell.
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 Van Buren County
Renters in Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.8% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.9% | 28.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.0% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 19.4% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Van Buren County is largely a place of homeowners: only 19.4% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Just over four in ten owners (41.4%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the west and least common in the north.
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 Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.3% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.2% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.9% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.2% | 10.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Van Buren County: 15.2% of homes are empty, 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 2.0 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 Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1973 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1974 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1974 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +3 | +6 |
Homes in Van Buren County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1977, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are newer than in Michigan overall, where the median home dates to 1972. The median year built has moved up from 1973 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the east, the oldest in the south.
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 Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $644 | $833 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $694 | $886 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $780 | $978 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $958 | $1,228 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$314 | +$395 | +$606 |
Rent in Van Buren County runs $958 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $314 a month since 2006–10, up 49%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 30.9% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the east and lowest 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 Van Buren County
Bachelor's degrees in Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.6% | 26.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.5% | 27.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.9% | 29.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.7% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Van Buren County: 22.7% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.1 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the west.
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 Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.0% | 88.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.7% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.4% | 90.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.8% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.8 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Van Buren County is close to the national rate: 89.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Michigan as a whole (91.8%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.8 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.8% | 11.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.6% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.7% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.3% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.4 pts | −5.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little easier to find in Van Buren County than nationally: unemployment was 4.3%, against 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 6.4 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. 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).
Van Buren 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Buren County | 2.48 | 42.5 | 11.8% | 19.4% | 15.2% | 1977 | $958 | 22.7% | 89.8% | 4.3% |
| Kalamazoo County | 2.47 | 37.5 | 10.8% | 35.5% | 7.6% | 1975 | $1,167 | 40.8% | 94.3% | 5.3% |
| 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% |
| Lake County | 2.77 | 39.5 | 10.0% | 25.2% | 5.8% | 1980 | $1,746 | 45.6% | 90.5% | 4.9% |
| Washtenaw County | 2.44 | 38.2 | 8.0% | 38.4% | 6.8% | 1979 | $1,610 | 58.5% | 95.5% | 4.7% |
| McHenry County | 2.71 | 41.4 | 9.3% | 17.3% | 4.3% | 1985 | $1,557 | 35.3% | 93.6% | 4.6% |
| Wayne County | 2.64 | 38.8 | 14.5% | 35.2% | 11.4% | 1960 | $1,257 | 27.2% | 87.4% | 9.1% |
| 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: Lee County, MS · St. Francois County, MO · Spalding County, GA · Somerset County, PA · Shiawassee County, MI · Sauk County, WI · McKinley County, NM · Mayaguez Municipio, PR · Mason County, WA · Marquette County, MI
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 Van Buren 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.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.