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CITY · 2020 ACS

West Branch

Michigan · 2,351 residents · 1.539 sq mi
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The short version

West Branch has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $30,508. Population has grown 22% since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $89,600. Households here earn about 48% less than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 12%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,351
+22%since 2000
from 1,926 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,528 / sq mi
+22%since 2000
from 1,251 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.6
+23%since 2000
from 34.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K2K2K1990201020202024West Branch
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$30,508
−33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,132 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,254
+13%since 2000
from $17,852 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
10.9%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.1%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 14.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information20.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade15%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade8.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance0.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services0.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$89,600
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$690
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $423 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
42.9%
−11.0 ptssince 2000
from 53.9% in 2000
57.1% rent
Afford Score
2.9
+31%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Branch on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.5%(1,821)
Black0.1%(2)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(14)
Asian2.6%(50)
Other0%
Diversity Score8.5%(164)
2020
White, non-Hispanic91.7%(2,155)
Black0.7%(16)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(65)
Asian0.6%(13)
Other1.5%(36)
Diversity Score13.6%(320)
Diversity Score
14
+60%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.6%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 18.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.7%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 83.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.1 min
+42%since 2000
from 13.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.7%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 81.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
16.9%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 18.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2011
from 5.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
38.8%
−18.3 ptssince 2011
from 57.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.1%
−36.6 ptssince 2009
from 67.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.7% in 2009
Female
53.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 53.3% in 2009
Foreign born
4.6%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.1%
−84.1 ptssince 2013
from 87.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to West Branch

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Compare West Branch to nearby cities

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WEST BRANCH VS
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WEST BRANCH VS
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WEST BRANCH VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in West Branch, Michigan?

West Branch, Michigan has about 2,351 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in West Branch, Michigan?

The typical household in West Branch, Michigan earns about $30,508 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is West Branch, Michigan expensive?

In West Branch, Michigan, the median home is worth about $89,600, and the typical rent is about $690 a month.

How educated are people in West Branch, Michigan?

About 17.6% of adults age 25 and over in West Branch, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in West Branch, Michigan?

About 18.1% of people in West Branch, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has West Branch, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, West Branch, Michigan has grown since 1990. The population has added about 437 residents, a change of about 23 percent over that period.

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

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