Paw Paw, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Paw Paw is a small town in Michigan with a population of 3,277. Residents earn $38,989 per year, which is 48% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
3,277 Population 1,227/sq mi density
$38,989 Median Income $23,775 per capita
$133,600 Home Value $259,971 Zillow
$775 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
345 Violent Crime/100K 3,569 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$38,989 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$133,600 home value, $775/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
345 violent crimes/100K (9% below avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
10.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $38,989
48% lower than US avg
Home Value $133,600
53% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 345/100K
9% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.8%
68% lower than US avg
Median Rent $775
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.2%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.6%
10% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,277
Median Age35.4 yrs
Density1,227/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

B
Median Income$38,989
Per Capita$23,775
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty13.6%
County GDP$20,706M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$133,600
Rent$775
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$259,971

Crime

F
Violent345/100K
Property3,569/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault115/100K
Burglary461/100K

Health

Obesity39.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.0%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain41.1 in/yr
Elevation724 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.8%
High School+94.0%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 40% / D 58%
Commute17 min
EV Stations2
Libraries14

Is Paw Paw a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Paw Paw receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Paw Paw has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Paw Paw is $38,989, 48% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. 13.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Paw Paw is $133,600, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $775 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Paw Paw is below the national average at 345 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,569 per 100,000, 82% above the national average.

Education

10.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Paw Paw experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.1 inches, including 109.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Paw Paw has a population of 3,277 with a density of 1,227 people per square mile. The median age is 35.4 years, 9% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.7%), with 1.6% Hispanic, 2% Black.

Population

3,277
Total Population
1,227
People / sq mi
35.4yrs
Median Age
9% below US avg
2.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.3%
Female 49.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Paw Paw vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.0%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.0%
63% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Paw Paw vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Paw Paw is $38,989, which is 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Paw Paw vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$38,989
48% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,775
Avg Weekly Wage$1,264
IRS Avg AGI$82,017

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.6%
10% above US avg
Establishments (County)5,972
County GDP$20,706M

Business (County)

Restaurants579
Healthcare749
Retail848
Manufacturing295

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,471
113% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.59%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.4 min
Work from Home8.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Paw Paw is $133,600, 53% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $775 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $259,971.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$133,600
53% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$259,971

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$775
33% 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-Occupied47.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,471
113% above US avg
Effective Rate5.59%
In Paw Paw, 39.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.0% report depression. 26.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.2%
22% above US avg
Diabetes10.6%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure32.6%
Asthma12.2%
COPD8.2%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.6%
Physical Inactivity26.7%
Depression30.0%
Mental Distress20.8%
Physical Distress14.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.9%
Checkup Rate77.3%
Premature Death7,811/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access91.7%
Healthcare Facilities749
Paw Paw has a violent crime rate of 345 per 100,000 residents, 9% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,569 per 100,000 (82% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent345.4/100K
9% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape201.5/100K
Robbery28.8/100K
Assault115.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,569.4/100K
82% above US avg
Burglary460.6/100K
Theft3,051.2/100K
Vehicle Theft57.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)31

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Paw Paw has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.6°F
10% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.1 inches
8% above US avg
Snowfall109.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation724 ft (221 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (6.9 km²)
Population Density1,227/sq mi
Coordinates42.2142°N, 85.8922°W
County FIPS26077
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 10.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (68% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 17.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 40.3%
D 58%

Winner: Democrat by 17.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.8%
68% below US avg
High School+94.0%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,227/sq mi
Total Area2.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries14
Healthcare Facilities749
Restaurants579
Retail Stores848

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)31
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.4 min
Work from Home8.1%

Nearby Cities

Compare Paw Paw with another city: