Plainwell, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Plainwell is a small town in Michigan with a population of 3,764. Residents earn $65,846 per year, which is 12% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
3,764 Population 1,810/sq mi density
$65,846 Median Income $29,263 per capita
$191,100 Home Value $227,829 Zillow
$860 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
184 Violent Crime/100K 1,736 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$65,846 median income, 3.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$191,100 home value, $860/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
184 violent crimes/100K (52% below avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,846
12% lower than US avg
Home Value $191,100
32% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 184/100K
52% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.8%
35% lower than US avg
Median Rent $860
26% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.8%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.5%
3% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.7%
14% lower than US avg

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

People

Population3,764
Median Age39.9 yrs
Density1,810/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

B+
Median Income$65,846
Per Capita$29,263
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty10.7%
County GDP$20,706M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$191,100
Rent$860
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$227,829

Crime

F
Violent184/100K
Property1,736/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault132/100K
Burglary289/100K

Health

Obesity35.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.2%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain33.2 in/yr

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.8%
High School+96.1%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 40% / D 58%
Commute20 min
EV Stations2
Libraries14

Is Plainwell a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Plainwell receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Plainwell offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Plainwell is $65,846, 12% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market. 10.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Plainwell is $191,100, 32% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $860 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Plainwell is below the national average at 184 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,736 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

21.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Plainwell experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. 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 38.

Plainwell has a population of 3,764 with a density of 1,810 people per square mile. The median age is 39.9 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.7%), with 2.1% Hispanic, 2.3% Black.

Population

3,764
Total Population
1,810
People / sq mi
39.9yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.7%
Female 47.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Plainwell vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.7%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.3%
68% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Plainwell vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Plainwell is $65,846, which is 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Plainwell vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,846
12% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,263
Avg Weekly Wage$1,264
IRS Avg AGI$82,017

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.5%
3% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.7%
14% below 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 Rate3.91%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.1 min
Work from Home4.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Plainwell is $191,100, 32% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $860 (26% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $227,829.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$191,100
32% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$227,829
Median List Price$249,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$249,450
$/Sq Ft$176
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.2%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory4

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$860
26% 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-Occupied68.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,471
113% above US avg
Effective Rate3.91%
In Plainwell, 35.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.2% report depression. 23.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.8%
12% above US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure30.3%
Asthma11.7%
COPD7.2%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.0%
Physical Inactivity23.4%
Depression28.2%
Mental Distress19.1%
Physical Distress13.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.6%
Checkup Rate77.5%
Premature Death7,811/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access91.7%
Healthcare Facilities749
Plainwell has a violent crime rate of 184 per 100,000 residents, 52% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,736 per 100,000 (11% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent184.1/100K
52% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape52.6/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault131.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,735.9/100K
11% below US avg
Burglary289.3/100K
Theft1,420.3/100K
Vehicle Theft26.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)31

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Plainwell 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 is 33.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.2 inches
13% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area2.1 sq mi (5.4 km²)
Population Density1,810/sq mi
Coordinates42.4447°N, 85.6423°W
County FIPS26077
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 21.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% 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+21.8%
35% below US avg
High School+96.1%
School Test Score5.23
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,810/sq mi
Total Area2.1 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 Commute20.1 min
Work from Home4.3%

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