At a Glance
Median Income
$48,965
$27,514 per capita
Home Value
$164,500
Zillow: $243,052
Median Rent
$1,031/mo
33.9% of income on rent
Violent Crime
1,289/100K
3,508/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
37.1%
90.0% high school+
Unemployment
6.9%
17.2% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
44.5%
18.6% smoking rate
How Kalamazoo Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Kalamazoo's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Kalamazoo a Good Place to Live?
B
3.1 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Kalamazoo residents earn a median household income of $48,965 , which is 35% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $27,514. The unemployment rate stands at 6.9% (92% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 5,972 business establishments, including 579 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Kalamazoo is $164,500 , 42% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $243,052. Median rent is $1,031/month, with 33.9% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 96.2 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1959.
Safety & Crime
Kalamazoo reports 1,289 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 239% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 3,508/100K. The murder rate is 13.7/100K.
Education
37.1% of adults in Kalamazoo hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(10% above the national average).
90.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.3/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Kalamazoo has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C).
Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.
Data Overview
People
Population73,132
Median Age26.8 yrs
Density2,968/mi²
Male / Female49% / 52%
Foreign Born8.1%
Veterans4.4%
Economy
C+
Median Income$48,965
Per Capita$27,514
Unemployment6.9%
Poverty17.2%
County GDP$20,706M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,264
Housing
A+
Home Value$164,500
Rent$1,031
Ownership42.9%
Zillow$243,052
Housing Units32,129
Rent Burden33.9%
Crime
F
Violent1,289/100K
Property3,508/100K
Murder13.7/100K
Assault960/100K
Burglary623/100K
Health
Obesity44.5%
Diabetes12.4%
Smoking18.6%
Heart Disease6.6%
Premature Death7,811/100K
Climate
Avg Temp50°F
Rain33.2 in/yr
AQI45 (Good)
Elevation778 ft
Education
B+
Bachelor's+37.1%
High School+90.0%
Graduate+14.5%
School Score5.3/10
Community
2024 VoteR 40% / D 58%
Commute18 min
Broadband85.8%
Internet Speed208 Mbps
EV Stations53
Libraries14
Did You Know?
The median home in Kalamazoo was built in 1959.
The nearest airport is Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International (3 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.461 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
14.1% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 208 Mbps.
There are 579 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 31 fatal vehicle crashes.