Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Plainwell, MI Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

3,763

Median Agei

39.4

Race & Ethnicityi

White

84.1%3,164

Hispanic/Latino

10%378

Black

2.8%106

Two or More

2.6%98

Other

0.2%9

Asian

0.2%8

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

6.1%175

High School Diploma

36.4%1,045

Some College (<1 yr)

7%201

Some College (1+ yr)

16.8%483

Associate's Degree

8%229

Bachelor's Degree

13.7%393

Master's Degree

7.1%203

Professional Degree

0.4%11

HS or Higher

95.6%

BA or Higher

21.2%

Graduate+

7.5%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$220,500

Median Renti

$900

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

69.2%1,086

Renter-Occupied

30.8%484

Total Units

1,611

Homeownership

69.2%

Vacancy Rate

2.5%

Home Values

Under $50K

12.8%139

$50K–$100K

2.2%24

$100K–$150K

7.5%81

$150K–$200K

18.9%205

$200K–$300K

35.5%385

$300K–$500K

21.4%232

$500K–$1M

1.8%20

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

123

$750–$1,000

100

$1,000–$1,250

118

$1,250–$1,500

$1,500–$2,000

$2,000+

Year Built

2010–2019

3.4%55

2000–2009

0.8%13

1990–1999

8.4%136

1980–1989

21.2%342

1970–1979

18%290

1960–1969

3.9%63

1950–1959

9.1%147

1940–1949

8.9%144

1939 or earlier

26.1%421

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

85.8%1,347

Electricity

7.6%120

Fuel Oil

3.1%49

Wood

1.3%21

No Fuel

1.3%20

Other

0.8%13

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$66,525

Mean Household Incomei

$70,968

Per Capita Incomei

$30,234

Poverty Ratei

10.1%

Unemploymenti

6.7%

Labor Forcei

1,813

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

9.6%150

$10K–$15K

2.1%33

$15K–$20K

1%15

$20K–$25K

6.1%95

$25K–$30K

4%63

$30K–$35K

0.6%10

$35K–$40K

12.3%193

$40K–$45K

3.1%48

$45K–$50K

4.5%71

$50K–$60K

3.9%61

$60K–$75K

8.9%140

$75K–$100K

20.3%319

$100K–$125K

11.3%177

$125K–$150K

3.9%62

$150K–$200K

6.4%101

$200K+

2%32

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

391%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

Guatemala

China

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

1,635

Avg. Commutei

20.6 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

1,692

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

264(8.5% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

95%Insured

5%Uninsured