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CITY

Battle Creek

Michigan · 52,021 residents (2025 est.) · 42.611 sq mi
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The short version

Battle Creek has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $55,693. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $141,900.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
52,374
−2%since 2000
from 53,364 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,229 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 1,252 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.0
+10%since 2000
from 34.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:52,021 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
51K52K52K53K54K1990201020202024Battle Creek
202452K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$55,693
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,491 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,455
+65%since 2000
from $18,424 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
35.3%
+15.0 ptssince 2009
from 20.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.6%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 14.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.450
−2%since 2010
from 0.461 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade20.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance4.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services2.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$141,900
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$957
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $488 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
66.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 65.8% in 2000
34.0% rent
Vacancy rate
10.5%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.6%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 28.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.0%
−7.1 ptssince 2009
from 57.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.5
+28%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
40
RELATED:See current rent listings in Battle Creek on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic72.6%(38,761)
Black17.7%(9,440)
Hispanic / Latino4.6%(2,475)
Asian1.9%(1,024)
Other0%
Diversity Score50.2%(26,808)
2024
White, non-Hispanic62%(32,482)
Black15.6%(8,170)
Hispanic / Latino8.3%(4,363)
Asian4.9%(2,554)
Other9.2%(4,805)
Diversity Score71.7%(37,532)
Diversity Score
72
+43%since 2000
from 50 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.9%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 17.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.2%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 82.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.3%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.6 min
+56%since 2000
from 11.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.2%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 79.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.2%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.5%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.5%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.3%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.0%
−6.8 ptssince 2011
from 13.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
61.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2011
from 60.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
32.2%
−31.4 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
Female
51.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
Foreign born
7.4%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.8%
−39.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.3%
−1.0 ptssince 2012
from 16.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.3%
−81.2 ptssince 2013
from 86.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.5%
+18.4 ptssince 2017
from 72.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
88.9%
−3.2 ptssince 2016
from 92.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 4.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Battle Creek to nearby cities

BATTLE CREEK VS
Kalamazoo
Income$52,272−6%
Home value$179,000+26%
Population72,683+40%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BATTLE CREEK VS
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Income$83,212+49%
Home value$262,300+85%
Population49,862−4%
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BATTLE CREEK VS
Westwood
Income$58,205+5%
Home value$193,400+36%
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BATTLE CREEK VS
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Income$50,781−9%
Home value$137,500−3%
Population14,216−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Battle Creek, Michigan?

Battle Creek, Michigan has about 52,374 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Battle Creek, Michigan?

The typical household in Battle Creek, Michigan earns about $55,693 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Battle Creek, Michigan expensive?

In Battle Creek, Michigan, the median home is worth about $141,900, and the typical rent is about $957 a month.

How educated are people in Battle Creek, Michigan?

About 21.9% of adults age 25 and over in Battle Creek, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Battle Creek, Michigan?

About 17.6% of people in Battle Creek, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has Battle Creek, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, Battle Creek, Michigan has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,166 residents, a change of about -2 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →