Battle Creek, Michigan Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Battle Creek, Michigan is 52,392 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 24th-largest city in Michigan. The median household income is $51,699, the median home value is $127,600, and the median age is 37.6.
The population has declined 0.2% since 2010 (52,315 → 52,205).
52,392
Population
1229
People / sq mi
$51,699
Median Income
$127,600
Median Home Value
Battle Creek covers 42.6 sq mi of land at 1229 people per square mile.
About Battle Creek, MI
Battle Creek is a city in Michigan with a population of 52,392. It ranks #24 among cities in Michigan by population. The median age is 37.6, younger than the national median. The population is 48.7% male and 51.3% female.
The median household income in Battle Creek is $51,699, below the US median of $74,580. 11.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $127,600, with monthly rent averaging $934. The homeownership rate of 65.1% is close to the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Battle Creek reflects 22.1% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 7.2% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 18.9 minutes each way.
Battle Creek city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Battle Creek city had a population of 52,315 in 2010 and 52,205 in 2024, a -0.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 52,704 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: -0.01%.
52,205
Population (2024)
52,315
Population (2010)
52,704
Peak (2020)
-0.01%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 52,315 |
| 2011 | 51,991 |
| 2012 | 51,871 |
| 2013 | 51,788 |
| 2014 | 51,776 |
| 2015 | 51,556 |
| 2016 | 51,453 |
| 2017 | 51,275 |
| 2018 | 51,105 |
| 2019 | 51,093 |
| 2020 | 52,704 |
| 2021 | 52,507 |
| 2022 | 52,229 |
| 2023 | 52,264 |
| 2024 | 52,205 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 64.8% |
| Black or African American | 15.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.3% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$51,699
Median Household Income
$29,763
Per Capita Income
11.5%
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$127,600
Median Home Value
$934
Median Rent
65.1%
Owner-Occupied
Education
90.0%
High School+
22.1%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.2%
Drive Alone
77.0%
Public Transit
7.2%
Work From Home
18.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
18.1%
Foreign Born
87.9%
Non-English at Home
7.0%
Veterans
14.9%
With Disability
94.0%
Health Insurance
92.3%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 24.5% |
| Manufacturing | 21.5% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 12.4% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 6.9% |
| Retail Trade | 4.5% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.4% |
| Construction | 3.4% |
| Information | 3.4% |
| Public Administration | 3.3% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 2.1% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.8% |
Largest cities in Michigan
Largest counties in Michigan
Part of Michigan
Metro areas in Michigan
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Battle Creek, Michigan has a population of 52,392 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 24th-largest city in Michigan.
The median household income in Battle Creek, Michigan is $51,699, with 11.5% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Battle Creek, Michigan is $127,600, with median monthly rent at $934 and a homeownership rate of 65.1%.
The median age in Battle Creek, Michigan is 37.6 years. The population is 48.7% male and 51.3% female.
The population has declined 0.2% since 2010 (52,315 → 52,205).
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.