Census ACS · #192 MSA
Kalamazoo Metro Area
The Kalamazoo-Portage, Mi Metropolitan Statistical Area has 261,437 residents. The median household income is $70,525 and the median home value is $227,500.
261,437
Population
465
People / sq mi
$70,525
Median Income
$227,500
Median Home Value
The Kalamazoo CBSA covers 562 sq mi of land at 465.2 people per square mile.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 76.8% |
| Black or African American | 11.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6% |
Economy & Income
$70,525
Median Household Income
$39,915
Per Capita Income
7.7%
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Unemployment
Cost of Living
The Kalamazoo metro's price level is 94.8 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 5.2% lower the US average. The local median income of $70,525 has the buying power of $74,362 in average-priced US metros.
94.8
Price Level (US = 100)
$74,362
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$70,525
Nominal Median Income
Housing
$227,500
Median Home Value
$1,049
Median Rent
64.0%
Homeownership
Education
94.3%
High School+
40.8%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.1%
Drive Alone
11.3%
Work From Home
20.3 min
Avg Commute
19.9%
Foreign Born
Kalamazoo spans this state
Nearby metros
Largest cities in Michigan
Largest counties in Michigan
Part of Michigan
Other metros
Metro areas in Michigan
Metro rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
The Kalamazoo-Portage, Mi Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 261,437 according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates, making it the #192 largest CBSA in the US.
The median household income in the Kalamazoo metro area is $70,525, with a per capita income of $39,915.
The Kalamazoo-Portage, Mi CBSA spans the state of Michigan.
Where to stay near Kalamazoo
Visiting or relocating to the Kalamazoo metro area? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the region — live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Kalamazoo
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a move to Kalamazoo?
Get relocation and cost-of-living insights for the Kalamazoo metro by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
More from Michigan
Data for the Kalamazoo-Portage, Mi CBSA (28020) from the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Core-Based Statistical Areas combine cities, suburbs, and surrounding counties tied together by commuting patterns.
What distinguishes Kalamazoo is density: among the most densely settled of US metro areas, around 465 people per square mile. Kalamazoo is a metro area in MI with a population of 261,437.
Household earnings are middling, with a median of $70,525 — below the US median of $78,538. About 7.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. Homes carry a median value of $227,500, with typical rent around $1,049.
The population is unusually well-credentialed for US metro areas — 40.8% of adults have a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%.
That density explains much of the rest of the profile in Kalamazoo: denser places lean toward renting, shorter commutes by transit, and a younger working-age mix.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.