City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

New Buffalo, MI

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

1,306
Residents
$64,524
Median income
$342,700
Median home
$1,184
Median rent (state)

New Buffalo - the verdict

New Buffalo ranks in the 42nd percentile for household income and the 97th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

42nd
percentile, household income
71st
percentile, home value
35th
percentile, median rent
97th
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: New Buffalo, MI

1,306 people live in New Buffalo, Michigan - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in New Buffalo brings in $64,524 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.5%. New Buffalo's housing stock carries a median value of $342,700, and the median resident age is 53.8 years. About 40.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 57.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 2 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 71% from five years earlier. New Buffalo reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 118.4 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,184 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Michigan run around $238, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 81.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

1,306 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$64,524 /yr

Poverty 7.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does New Buffalo compare to other US cities?

Where New Buffalo sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 42% higher than other cities
Home value 71% pricier than other cities
Median rent 35% pricier than other cities
Safety 97% 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: New Buffalo ranks #3 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Michigan-relative analysis

Median Home Value is New Buffalo's strongest outlier among Michigan cities

Among the 721 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, New Buffalo ranks #56 - the 92nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares New Buffalo only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#292 of 718
59th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#309 of 727
56th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#56 of 721
92nd percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#382 of 727
47th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#122 of 727
83rd 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.

42ndIncome percentile
97thSafety percentile

42nd percentile nationally for median household income · 97th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

New Buffalo's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

New Buffalo'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 62 Avg. percentile National median
New Buffalo'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 New Buffalo's home value compares nationally

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

$342,700 29th percentile more affordable than 29% 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%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. New Buffalo $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 - New Buffalo, MI New Buffalo, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not New Buffalo, 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 New Buffalo, MI median $64,524/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%
New Buffalo, 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 New Buffalo, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 40.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.0%

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

Population
1,306
Median Income
$64,524
Median Home Value
$342,700
Median Age
53.8
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Labor force participation
57.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
40.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
118.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
59.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
59.2
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
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,680 residents1,690 residents1,700 residents1,710 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,706 residents 1,685 residents ▼ -1.2%
New Buffalo's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 7
2020 8
2021 9
2022 9
2023 9
2024 2

Permit volume decreased 71% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.0%
Carpool
6.6%
Public Transit
1.0%
Walk
4.0%
Work from Home
12.4%

Based on 671 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 New Buffalo sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,184/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
81.7 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Reese
1,303 people
Lakewood Club
1,315 people
Rapid
1,315 people
White Cloud
1,297 people
Greilickville
1,296 people
Douglas
1,295 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to New Buffalo's 1,306 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Milford, NJ
1,306 people
Plattsburgh West, NY
1,306 people
Duncannon, PA
1,306 people
LeChee, AZ
1,307 people
Flippin, AR
1,305 people
Boston, GA
1,305 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to New Buffalo's $64,524 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Millbrook, AL
$64,522 median income
Belcourt, ND
$64,526 median income
Orland, CA
$64,531 median income
Quasqueton, IA
$64,531 median income
Hoyt Lakes, MN
$64,514 median income
Plant City, FL
$64,536 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - New Buffalo, 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 New Buffalo, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.9% White 91.2% Black or African American 0.6% Asian 5.5% American Indian 1.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 0.9% 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 New Buffalo 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
New Buffalo (this city) 1,306 $64,524
Reese 1,303 $83,125
Lakewood Club 1,315 $67,277
Rapid 1,315 $65,438
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about New Buffalo, MI?

What is the population of New Buffalo, MI? +

The population of New Buffalo, MI stands at 1,306 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in New Buffalo, MI? +

New Buffalo households earn a median of $64,524 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in New Buffalo? +

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

New Buffalo has a total crime rate of 118.4 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 New Buffalo, MI? +

Homes in New Buffalo carry a median value of $342,700, 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

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.