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CITY

Paw Paw

Michigan · 3,386 residents (2025 est.) · 2.665 sq mi
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The short version

Paw Paw has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $41,587. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $148,200. The poverty rate of 21.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 43% less than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
15% 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
3,289
−2%since 2000
from 3,363 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,234 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 1,262 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
35.6
−2%since 2000
from 36.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,386 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K3K4K1990201020202024Paw Paw
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,587
−41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,750 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,924
+19%since 2000
from $21,859 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
25.9%
+7.8 ptssince 2009
from 18.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
21.9%
+16.1 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.489
+1%since 2010
from 0.485 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information26.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade17.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services7.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade4.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance2.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$148,200
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $84,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$761
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $426 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
48.8%
−8.0 ptssince 2000
from 56.8% in 2000
51.2% rent
Vacancy rate
5.3%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 27.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
23.9%
−24.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.6
+64%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
28
RELATED:See current rent listings in Paw Paw on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.3%(3,072)
Black2.8%(95)
Hispanic / Latino3%(100)
Asian0.2%(8)
Other0%
Diversity Score14.8%(498)
2024
White, non-Hispanic76.4%(2,514)
Black2.6%(84)
Hispanic / Latino12.8%(422)
Asian3.1%(103)
Other5%(166)
Diversity Score49.4%(1,624)
Diversity Score
49
+234%since 2000
from 15 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.4%
−3.9 ptssince 2000
from 19.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.1%
+16.1 ptssince 2000
from 78.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.1%
−4.9 ptssince 2000
from 7.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.0 min
+22%since 2000
from 14.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.3%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 76.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.7%
−8.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
4.6%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.6%
+9.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.8%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.7%
−15.0 ptssince 2011
from 20.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.4%
+1.3 ptssince 2011
from 55.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.7%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 17.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
19.3%
−40.6 ptssince 2009
from 59.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.8%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Female
48.2%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Foreign born
5.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.0%
−39.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.2%
−12.5 ptssince 2012
from 26.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.9%
−75.6 ptssince 2013
from 81.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.8%
+21.5 ptssince 2017
from 67.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.0%
−3.1 ptssince 2016
from 95.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2016
from 3.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Paw Paw, Michigan?

Paw Paw, Michigan has about 3,289 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Paw Paw, Michigan?

The typical household in Paw Paw, Michigan earns about $41,587 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Paw Paw, Michigan expensive?

In Paw Paw, Michigan, the median home is worth about $148,200, and the typical rent is about $761 a month.

How educated are people in Paw Paw, Michigan?

About 15.4% of adults age 25 and over in Paw Paw, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Paw Paw, Michigan?

About 21.9% of people in Paw Paw, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has Paw Paw, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, Paw Paw, Michigan has grown since 1990. The population has added about 122 residents, a change of about 4 percent over that period.

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

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