City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Dowagiac, MI

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

5,677
Residents
$38,433
Median income
$110,300
Median home
$993
Median rent (state)

Dowagiac - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Dowagiac places in the 7th percentile for household income and the 7th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

7th
percentile, household income
13th
percentile, home value
19th
percentile, median rent
7th
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: Dowagiac, MI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 5,677 residents in Dowagiac, a small town within Michigan. Dowagiac households earn a median of $38,433 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 28.7%. Dowagiac's housing stock carries a median value of $110,300, and the median resident age is 37.3 years. About 12.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 55.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 4 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 300% from five years earlier. Dowagiac's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 4116.6 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 48.1°F with 41.7 inches of precipitation per year.

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 $993 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Michigan run around $238, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 47.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

5,677 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$38,433 /yr

Poverty 28.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Dowagiac compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 7% higher than other cities
Home value 13% pricier than other cities
Median rent 19% pricier than other cities
Safety 7% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Michigan, Dowagiac ranks #240 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Dowagiac 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 is Dowagiac's strongest outlier among Michigan cities

Among the 727 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Dowagiac ranks #28 - the 96th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Dowagiac only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#678 of 718
6th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#545 of 727
24th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#525 of 721
27th percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#28 of 727
96th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#548 of 727
24th 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.

7thIncome percentile
7thSafety percentile

7th percentile nationally for median household income · 7th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Dowagiac's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Dowagiac'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 33 Avg. percentile National median
Dowagiac'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 Dowagiac's home value compares nationally

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

$110,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 87% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Dowagiac $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 - Dowagiac, MI Dowagiac, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Dowagiac, 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 Dowagiac, MI median $38,433/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%
Dowagiac, 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 Dowagiac, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 12.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 28.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.5%

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

Population
5,677
Median Income
$38,433
Median Home Value
$110,300
Median Age
37.3
Poverty Rate
28.7%
Labor force participation
55.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
12.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4116.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
689.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3427.6
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
48.1°F
Annual Precipitation
41.7"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,650 residents5,700 residents5,750 residents5,800 residents5,850 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,797 residents 5,725 residents ▼ -1.2%
Dowagiac's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 1
2021 1
2022 2
2023 2
2024 4

Permit volume increased 300% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.5%
Carpool
12.4%
Public Transit
1.5%
Walk
4.7%
Work from Home
3.5%
Other
3.4%

Based on 2,504 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 Dowagiac 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

Zeeland
5,691 people
Houghton Lake
5,761 people
Dundee
5,584 people
St. Clair
5,581 people
Grosse Pointe
5,561 people
Richmond
5,839 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Dowagiac's 5,677 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Black Diamond, WA
5,678 people
West Clarkston-Highland, WA
5,678 people
Fruitridge Pocket, CA
5,675 people
Highland Lakes, AL
5,673 people
Sandersville, GA
5,673 people
Kermit, TX
5,681 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Dowagiac's $38,433 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Pablo, MT
$38,430 median income
Burns, OR
$38,430 median income
Plumerville, AR
$38,438 median income
Edwards, MS
$38,438 median income
Cloudcroft, NM
$38,428 median income
Brady Lake, OH
$38,438 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Dowagiac, 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 Dowagiac, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 75.8% 12.0% 7.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.4% White 75.8% Black or African American 12.0% Asian 0.3% American Indian 2.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.2% Two or more races 7.2% 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 Dowagiac 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
Dowagiac (this city) 5,677 $38,433
Zeeland 5,691 $49,367
Houghton Lake 5,761 $50,861
Dundee 5,584 $71,058
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Dowagiac, MI?

What is the population of Dowagiac, MI? +

5,677 people live in Dowagiac, MI according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Dowagiac, the typical household earns $38,433 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Dowagiac? +

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

Dowagiac has a total crime rate of 4116.6 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 Dowagiac, MI? +

The median home value in Dowagiac is $110,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Dowagiac? +

The average annual temperature in Dowagiac runs 48.1°F, 41.7 inches of precipitation. 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.