Grand Rapids skyline and the Blue Bridge over the Grand River
County in Michigan

Kalamazoo County

Kalamazoo County has the 4th lowest homeownership rate in Michigan (64.5%) and the 5th highest share of college graduates (41.3% of adults).

Kalamazoo County is home to 264,780 people (2024 estimate) on 562 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.

Key indicators

Population
264,780
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
261,685
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
+1.2%
2020–2024
Land area
562 mi²
1,455 km²
Population density
471.2 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
2,634
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
2,439
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+195
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+1,277
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$65,811
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$20.7 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$72,532
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
12.7%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
41.3%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
5.8%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$241,800
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
4.1%
BLS annual average, 2024

Historical data

Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.

Population

2000–2024
264,780▲ 11%

U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.

Data summary

IndicatorValueYear and source
Population estimate264,7802024 · U.S. Census Bureau
Population, 2010 Census250,3312010 · U.S. Census Bureau
Population, 2000239,008July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal
Change since 2000+10.8%2000–2024 · Census
International migration+1,9532024 · Census Vintage 2024
Domestic migration−6762024 · Census Vintage 2024
Birth rate9.9 per 1,0002024 · calculated
Death rate9.2 per 1,0002024 · calculated
Population rank in Michigan9th of 832024 · calculated
Per capita personal income$65,811BEA, 2024 · official
Gross domestic product$20.7 billionBEA, current dollars, 2024 · official
Median household income$72,532ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Poverty rate12.7%ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Bachelor’s degree or higher41.3%Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Foreign-born residents5.8%ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Median home value$241,800ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Median gross rent$1,093/monthACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Median age35.0 yearsACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Households107,110ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Owner-occupied homes64.5%ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official

Kalamazoo County in context

Comparable indicators for Kalamazoo County, Michigan and the United States.

IndicatorCountyMichiganU.S.Reference
Population change 2020–2024+1.2%+0.6%+2.6%Census Vintage 2024
Birth rate (per 1,000)9.99.810.62024
Death rate (per 1,000)9.210.19.12024
Net migration rate (per 1,000)4.85.98.22024
Population density (/mi²)471.2179.196.32024
Per capita personal income$65,811$63,690$73,204BEA, 2024
Median household income$72,532$72,875$80,734ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate12.7%13.2%12.5%ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher41.3%32.4%35.7%Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents5.8%7.2%14.1%ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value$241,800$231,600$332,700ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median gross rent$1,093/month$1,129/month$1,413/monthACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median age35.0 years40.2 years38.9 yearsACS 2020–2024 5-year
Owner-occupied homes64.5%73.2%65.2%ACS 2020–2024 5-year

Cities & towns

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Did you know? Kalamazoo County

9th most populous of 83

With 264,780 residents in 2024, Kalamazoo County ranks 9th by population among Michigan's 83 counties and is home to 2.6% of the state's residents.

A quarter century of change

Its population went from 239,008 in 2000 to 264,780 in 2024, a change of +10.8%, compared with +1.9% for Michigan as a whole.

Births and deaths

In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 2,634 births and 2,439 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 195.

Peak population in 2019

Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 265,531 in 2019. The 2024 figure is 751 lower.

9th in density

Kalamazoo County has about 471.2 residents per square mile of land, ranking 9th of 83 counties; Michigan averages 179.1.

Household income rank

With a median household income of $72,532 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 20th of 83 Michigan counties; the state median is $72,875.

Size of the economy

Its economy produced $20.7 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 8th largest among 83 Michigan counties.

Latest economic growth

Real GDP grew 2.4% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).

Sources and methodology