Coldwater, MI

Michigan

Coldwater is a small city in Michigan with a population of 13,847. Residents earn $50,084 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
13,847 Population 1,470/sq mi density
$50,084 Median Income $23,311 per capita
$120,900 Home Value $207,966 Zillow
$912 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
259 Violent Crime/100K 1,986 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$50,084 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$120,900 home value, $912/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
259 violent crimes/100K (32% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,084
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $120,900
57% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 259/100K
32% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.5%
57% lower than US avg
Median Rent $912
22% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.1%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.6%
6% lower than US avg

How Coldwater Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population13,847
Median Age40.2 yrs
Density1,470/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,084
Per Capita$23,311
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty11.6%
County GDP$2,202M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$120,900
Rent$912
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$207,966

Crime

F
Violent259/100K
Property1,986/100K
Murder9.2/100K
Assault157/100K
Burglary203/100K

Health

Obesity38.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.3%
Heart Disease7.1%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain39.1 in/yr
Elevation962 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.5%
High School+87.1%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute16 min
EV Stations6
Libraries9

Is Coldwater a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Coldwater receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Coldwater has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Coldwater is $50,084, 33% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. 11.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Coldwater is $120,900, 57% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $912 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Coldwater is below the national average at 259 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,986 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

14.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Coldwater experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.1 inches, including 42.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Coldwater has a population of 13,847 with a density of 1,470 people per square mile. The median age is 40.2 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84%), with 1.7% Hispanic, 5% Black.

Population

13,847
Total Population
1,470
People / sq mi
40.2yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
9.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.3%
Female 48.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Coldwater vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only82.7%
5% above US avg
Spanish17.3%
29% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Coldwater vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Coldwater is $50,084, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Coldwater vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,084
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,311
Avg Weekly Wage$991
IRS Avg AGI$58,886

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.6%
6% below US avg
Establishments (County)880
County GDP$2,202M

Business (County)

Restaurants71
Healthcare81
Retail123
Manufacturing75

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,053
16% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.35%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.1 min
Work from Home4.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Coldwater is $120,900, 57% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $912 (22% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $207,966.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$120,900
57% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$207,966
Median List Price$200,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$200,000
$/Sq Ft$118
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio97.7%
Price Drops27.3%
Inventory22

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$912
22% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$807
1 Bedroom$891
2 Bedrooms$1,113
3 Bedrooms$1,419
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied61.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,053
16% above US avg
Effective Rate3.35%
In Coldwater, 38.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.3% report depression. 29.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Coldwater vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.1%
19% above US avg
Diabetes12.4%
Heart Disease7.1%
High Blood Pressure36.8%
Asthma11.9%
COPD9.6%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.3%
Physical Inactivity29.4%
Depression28.3%
Mental Distress20.7%
Physical Distress16.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.0%
Checkup Rate76.5%
Premature Death8,807/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access60.9%
Healthcare Facilities81
Coldwater has a violent crime rate of 259 per 100,000 residents, 32% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,986 per 100,000 (1% above US avg). The murder rate is 9.2 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Coldwater vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent258.6/100K
32% below US avg
Murder9.2/100K
47% above US avg
Rape64.7/100K
Robbery27.7/100K
Assault157.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,986.0/100K
1% above US avg
Burglary203.2/100K
Theft1,736.6/100K
Vehicle Theft46.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Coldwater has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.1°F
11% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.1 inches
3% above US avg
Snowfall42.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation962 ft (293 m)
Area9.4 sq mi (24.4 km²)
Population Density1,470/sq mi
Coordinates41.9460°N, 84.9993°W
County FIPS26059
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 14.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (57% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.1%
D 23.7%

Winner: Republican by 51.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.5%
57% below US avg
High School+87.1%
School Test Score5.23
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,470/sq mi
Total Area9.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations6
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities81
Restaurants71
Retail Stores123

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.1 min
Work from Home4.4%

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