City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Battle Creek, MI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Battle Creek - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

52,392
Residents
$51,699
Median income
$127,600
Median home
$1,176
Median rent (state)

Battle Creek - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Battle Creek places in the 22nd percentile for household income and the 10th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

22nd
percentile, household income
20th
percentile, home value
35th
percentile, median rent
10th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Battle Creek, MI

Michigan's Battle Creek is a small city, with 52,392 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Battle Creek households earn a median of $51,699 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 11.5%. Battle Creek's housing stock carries a median value of $127,600, and the median resident age is 37.6 years. Educational attainment runs 22.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 56.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 8 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 11% from five years earlier. Battle Creek's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 3644.4 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 49.2°F with 34.4 inches of precipitation per year and 64.6 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Michigan at 96.2 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,176 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Michigan run around $238, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Workers in Battle Creek report an average commute of 17.6 minutes, with 77.0% driving alone and 7.2% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 74.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

52,392 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$51,699 /yr

Poverty 11.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Battle Creek compare to other US cities?

Here's how Battle Creek stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 22% higher than other cities
Home value 20% pricier than other cities
Median rent 35% pricier than other cities
Safety 10% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Michigan and the picture shifts: Battle Creek ranks #234 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Battle Creek's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Michigan, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

22ndIncome percentile
10thSafety percentile

22nd percentile nationally for median household income · 10th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Battle Creek's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Battle Creek's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 35 Avg. percentile National median
Battle Creek's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Battle Creek's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$127,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 80% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Battle Creek $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Battle Creek, MI Battle Creek, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Battle Creek, MI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Battle Creek, MI median $51,699/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Battle Creek, MI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Battle Creek, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
52,392
Median Income
$51,699
Median Home Value
$127,600
Median Age
37.6
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Labor force participation
56.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3644.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1121.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2522.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
Annual Snowfall
64.6"

Schools

Total Schools
34
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
51,500 residents52,000 residents52,500 residents53,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 52,707 residents 52,021 residents ▼ -1.3%
Battle Creek's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
8
housing units authorized
Single-Family
8
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 9
2020 10
2021 11
2022 13
2023 7
2024 8

Permit volume decreased 11% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.6 minutes
Drive Alone
77.0%
Carpool
10.9%
Public Transit
1.2%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
7.2%
Other
1.4%

Based on 22,922 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Michigan - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$238
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Michigan state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Michigan state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Battle Creek sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,176/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
74.5 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Kentwood
54,114 people
Portage
49,015 people
Roseville
47,240 people
Royal Oak
57,880 people
St. Clair Shores
58,287 people
East Lansing
45,394 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Battle Creek's 52,392 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Placentia, CA
52,384 people
Kyle, TX
52,439 people
Paramount, CA
52,546 people
Joplin, MO
52,218 people
Wheaton, MD
52,172 people
Kendale Lakes, FL
52,141 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Battle Creek's $51,699 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Oswego, KS
$51,701 median income
Summersville, KY
$51,696 median income
New York Mills, MN
$51,696 median income
Point, TX
$51,696 median income
Millington, TN
$51,695 median income
Linn Valley, KS
$51,694 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Battle Creek, MI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Battle Creek, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 64.8% 15.7% 11.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.4% White 64.8% Black or African American 15.7% Asian 4.7% American Indian 0.6% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 2.6% Two or more races 11.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Battle Creek compares to nearby Michigan cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Battle Creek (this city) 52,392 $51,699
Kentwood 54,114 $73,647
Portage 49,015 $79,529
Roseville 47,240 $61,222
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Battle Creek, MI?

What is the population of Battle Creek, MI? +

The population of Battle Creek, MI stands at 52,392 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Battle Creek, MI? +

In Battle Creek, the typical household earns $51,699 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Battle Creek? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Battle Creek; the closest available measure is the Michigan state average, a cost of living index of 96.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Michigan vary by metro area.

Is Battle Creek, MI safe? +

Battle Creek has a total crime rate of 3644.4 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Battle Creek, MI? +

Homes in Battle Creek carry a median value of $127,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Battle Creek? +

Climate normals put Battle Creek's yearly average temperature at 49.2°F, 34.4 inches of precipitation, and 64.6 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.