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.

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.
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 264,780 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 250,331 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 239,008 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +10.8% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +1,953 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −676 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 9.9 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 9.2 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Michigan | 9th of 83 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $65,811 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $20.7 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $72,532 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 12.7% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 41.3% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 5.8% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $241,800 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,093/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 35.0 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 107,110 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Comparable indicators for Kalamazoo County, Michigan and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Michigan | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | +1.2% | +0.6% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 9.9 | 9.8 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 9.2 | 10.1 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 4.8 | 5.9 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 471.2 | 179.1 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $65,811 | $63,690 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $72,532 | $72,875 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 12.7% | 13.2% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 41.3% | 32.4% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 5.8% | 7.2% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $241,800 | $231,600 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,093/month | $1,129/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 35.0 years | 40.2 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.5% | 73.2% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
1 city · choose how to order them
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.
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.
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 2,634 births and 2,439 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 195.
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 265,531 in 2019. The 2024 figure is 751 lower.
Kalamazoo County has about 471.2 residents per square mile of land, ranking 9th of 83 counties; Michigan averages 179.1.
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.
Its economy produced $20.7 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 8th largest among 83 Michigan counties.
Real GDP grew 2.4% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).