City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Buchanan, MI

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

4,259
Residents
$54,068
Median income
$138,400
Median home
$993
Median rent (state)

Buchanan - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Buchanan places in the 26th percentile for household income and the 34th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

26th
percentile, household income
23rd
percentile, home value
19th
percentile, median rent
34th
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: Buchanan, MI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 4,259 residents in Buchanan, a small town within Michigan. The typical household in Buchanan brings in $54,068 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.5%. Home values in Buchanan run a median of $138,400, and the median resident age is 32.9 years. Educational attainment runs 14.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 63.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 3 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Low Activity). Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1900.9 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Michigan scores 96.2 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $993 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Michigan's average monthly utility costs around $238 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 47.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

4,259 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$54,068 /yr

Poverty 1.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Buchanan compare to other US cities?

Buchanan measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 26% higher than other cities
Home value 23% pricier than other cities
Median rent 19% pricier than other cities
Safety 34% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Michigan alone, Buchanan ranks #180 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Buchanan against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Michigan only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Michigan-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Buchanan toward the bottom of Michigan's cities

Among the 727 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Buchanan ranks #632 - the 12th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Buchanan only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#459 of 718
36th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#545 of 727
24th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#398 of 721
45th percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#632 of 727
12th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#490 of 727
32nd percentile in Michigan

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Michigan only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

26thIncome percentile
34thSafety percentile

26th percentile nationally for median household income · 34th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Buchanan's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Buchanan'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 46 Avg. percentile National median
Buchanan'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 Buchanan's home value compares nationally

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

$138,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 77% 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. Buchanan $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 - Buchanan, MI Buchanan, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Buchanan, 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 Buchanan, MI median $54,068/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%
Buchanan, 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 Buchanan, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.0%

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

Population
4,259
Median Income
$54,068
Median Home Value
$138,400
Median Age
32.9
Poverty Rate
1.5%
Labor force participation
63.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1900.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
240.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1660.3
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.

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,100 residents4,150 residents4,200 residents4,250 residents4,300 residents4,350 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,286 residents 4,143 residents ▼ -3.3%
Buchanan's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
3
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 2
2022 1
2023 0
2024 3

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.8%
Carpool
11.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.9%
Work from Home
3.7%
Other
0.9%

Based on 2,102 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 Buchanan sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$993/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
47.7 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Sparta
4,260 people
Caro
4,284 people
Gaylord
4,307 people
Middleville
4,327 people
Algonac
4,152 people
Linden
4,150 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Buchanan's 4,259 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Laureldale, PA
4,259 people
Lonoke, AR
4,260 people
Russell, KS
4,258 people
Bristow, OK
4,261 people
Paintsville, KY
4,256 people
Shenandoah, PA
4,256 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Buchanan's $54,068 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Jacksonville, NC
$54,069 median income
Snyder, TX
$54,067 median income
Hannibal, MO
$54,071 median income
Monette, AR
$54,063 median income
Bureau Junction, IL
$54,063 median income
Goofy Ridge, IL
$54,063 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Buchanan, 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 Buchanan, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 81.2% 14.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.3% White 81.2% Black or African American 1.8% Asian 0.7% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.3% Two or more races 14.1% 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 Buchanan 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
Buchanan (this city) 4,259 $54,068
Sparta 4,260 $55,474
Caro 4,284 $41,940
Gaylord 4,307 $44,052
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Buchanan, MI?

What is the population of Buchanan, MI? +

4,259 people live in Buchanan, MI according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Buchanan, MI? +

The median household income in Buchanan is $54,068 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Buchanan? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Buchanan; 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 Buchanan, MI safe? +

Buchanan has a total crime rate of 1900.9 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Buchanan, MI? +

A typical home in Buchanan is worth $138,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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

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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.