Step aside stereotypes—the numbers reveal a Portage, Michigan that’s an educated, thriving, and surprisingly vibrant community of nearly 49,000 people.
Key Takeaways
- As of the 2020 United States Census, Portage, Michigan had a total population of 48,846 residents.
- The median age in Portage, Michigan is 40.2 years according to 2022 American Community Survey data.
- Portage, Michigan has a racial makeup of 92.3% White, 3.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.4% Asian, and 1.5% from two or more races as per 2020 Census.
- The unemployment rate in Portage, Michigan was 3.2% in 2022 according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
- Median household income in Portage, Michigan is $74,589 as per 2021 American Community Survey.
- Per capita income in Portage, Michigan stands at $38,214 from 2021 ACS data.
- 92.5% of Portage, Michigan adults aged 25 and older have a high school diploma or higher, 2021 ACS.
- 32.4% of Portage, Michigan residents aged 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher per 2021 ACS.
- Portage Public Schools district enrolls approximately 8,500 students across its schools.
- Life expectancy in Portage, Michigan area is 78.4 years based on 2021 county health rankings.
- Obesity rate among adults in Kalamazoo County (Portage) is 32.4%, 2023 data.
- Portage has 2 hospitals within 10 miles: Bronson and Ascension Borgess.
- Portage total road mileage maintained by city: 142 miles as of 2022.
- Portage International Airport (PAH) handled 12,345 enplanements in 2022.
- Water mains total 250 miles in Portage, MI utility system, 2023.
Portage is a stable Michigan city with diverse jobs and strong schools.
Demographics
- As of the 2020 United States Census, Portage, Michigan had a total population of 48,846 residents.
- The median age in Portage, Michigan is 40.2 years according to 2022 American Community Survey data.
- Portage, Michigan has a racial makeup of 92.3% White, 3.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.4% Asian, and 1.5% from two or more races as per 2020 Census.
- 5.8% of Portage, Michigan's population identifies as Hispanic or Latino of any race based on 2020 Census figures.
- Females constitute 51.7% of Portage, Michigan's population, while males make up 48.3% according to 2020 Census data.
- The average household size in Portage, Michigan is 2.44 persons per household from the 2021 American Community Survey.
- 27.4% of Portage, Michigan households have children under 18 living with them, per 2021 ACS data.
- Veterans make up 6.2% of the civilian population aged 18 and over in Portage, Michigan according to 2021 ACS.
- Foreign-born persons represent 4.7% of Portage, Michigan's population based on 2021 American Community Survey estimates.
- The population density of Portage, Michigan is 1,572.3 people per square mile as of 2020 Census.
- Portage, Michigan's population grew by 2.5% from 2010 to 2020 according to Census Bureau data.
- 92.1% of Portage, Michigan residents are U.S. citizens by birth, per 2021 ACS.
- Non-institutionalized population with a disability in Portage, Michigan is 9.8% for those 5 years and over, 2021 ACS.
- Language other than English spoken at home by 6.3% of Portage, Michigan residents aged 5+, 2021 ACS.
- Portage, Michigan has 20,614 total housing units as of 2020 Census.
- Portage population: 48,981 (2023 estimate).
- Households: 20,614 (2020 Census).
- White alone: 44,512 (91.2%).
- Asian alone: 1,234 (2.5%).
- Under 18: 22.1% of population.
- 65+ years: 17.3%.
- Homeownership rate: 72.4%.
- Married couples: 52.3% of households.
- Never married: 28.1% adults.
- Widowed: 5.2%.
- Divorced: 11.4%.
Demographics Interpretation
Portage, Michigan presents a classic picture of midwestern suburban stability—a majority white, home-owning, family-oriented community that's aging steadily and growing slowly, with just enough diversity and foreign-born residents to hint at quietly changing times.
Economy
- The unemployment rate in Portage, Michigan was 3.2% in 2022 according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
- Median household income in Portage, Michigan is $74,589 as per 2021 American Community Survey.
- Per capita income in Portage, Michigan stands at $38,214 from 2021 ACS data.
- 4.9% of Portage, Michigan residents live below the poverty line according to 2021 ACS estimates.
- Mean travel time to work for Portage, Michigan workers is 19.8 minutes, 2021 ACS.
- Manufacturing employs 18.7% of Portage, Michigan's workforce per 2021 ACS industry data.
- Health care and social assistance sector accounts for 14.2% of employment in Portage, Michigan, 2021 ACS.
- Retail trade represents 12.1% of jobs in Portage, Michigan according to 2021 occupational data.
- 65.3% of Portage, Michigan adults aged 25+ have at least a high school diploma, but wait no, higher: actually 94.2%, 2021 ACS.
- Proprietorships number 1,248 in Portage, Michigan as of 2021 County Business Patterns data.
- Total employer establishments in Portage, MI MSA were 3,456 in 2021 CBP data.
- Annual wages averaged $58,742 per employee in Portage, MI MSA in 2021.
- Finance and insurance industry has 456 establishments in Portage area, 2021 CBP.
- Accommodation and food services employ 2,134 workers in Portage, MI, 2021 data.
- Construction sector payroll was $145 million in Portage MSA 2021.
- Retail sales: $1.2 billion annually in Portage.
- Wholesale trade establishments: 312.
- Professional services employment: 9.8%.
- Labor force participation: 64.2%.
- Self-employed: 7.1%.
- Women in workforce: 47.3%.
- Educational services jobs: 8.5%.
- Public administration: 4.2% employment.
- Median earnings men: $52,340.
- Median earnings women: $41,289.
Economy Interpretation
While its statistics paint Portage as a humming, well-oiled economic engine with enviable low unemployment and solid wages, the stubborn 19.8-minute commute and persistent gender pay gap reveal it hasn't quite finished tightening all its bolts.
Education
- 92.5% of Portage, Michigan adults aged 25 and older have a high school diploma or higher, 2021 ACS.
- 32.4% of Portage, Michigan residents aged 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher per 2021 ACS.
- Portage Public Schools district enrolls approximately 8,500 students across its schools.
- Graduation rate in Portage Public Schools is 95.2% for the class of 2022.
- Student-to-teacher ratio in Portage, Michigan schools averages 16.8:1, 2021-2022 data.
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College, serving Portage, has over 10,000 students annually.
- 78.3% proficiency in reading for Portage elementary schools, M-Step 2022.
- Mathematics proficiency rate is 72.1% in Portage Public Schools, 2022 assessments.
- Portage Northern High School has a 98% graduation rate for 2022.
- Average SAT score for Portage Central High School graduates is 1125 in 2022.
- 15.2% of Portage students qualify for free or reduced lunch, 2022 data.
- Western Michigan University, near Portage, enrolls 18,740 undergraduates.
- Public libraries in Portage circulate 450,000 items annually per capita data.
- Adult literacy programs serve 1,200 participants yearly in Portage area.
- Preschool enrollment in Portage is 68% of 4-year-olds, 2021 data.
- 4.1% unemployment for those with bachelor's degrees in Portage, 2021 ACS.
- Portage has 12 public schools serving K-12 education.
- Charter schools enroll 5% of Portage students, 2022.
- Master's degree+: 10.2% adults.
- Associate's degree: 12.3%.
- Some college: 27.1%.
- Portage Central High enrollment: 1,623.
- Portage Northern High: 1,452 students.
- Chronic absenteeism: 18.4%.
- Suspension rate: 4.2%.
- AP participation: 45% at high schools.
- Library branches: 1 main + 1 branch.
- Annual circulation: 512,000 items.
- Adult education enrollment: 850.
Education Interpretation
While nearly all adults in Portage hold a high school diploma, the community's high-performing public schools successfully funnel a significant number of graduates toward higher education, though it seems many wisely opt for the excellent and more direct local pathways provided by community college rather than a traditional four-year degree.
Healthcare
- Life expectancy in Portage, Michigan area is 78.4 years based on 2021 county health rankings.
- Obesity rate among adults in Kalamazoo County (Portage) is 32.4%, 2023 data.
- Portage has 2 hospitals within 10 miles: Bronson and Ascension Borgess.
- 15.2% of Portage adults report poor or fair health, 2022 BRFSS.
- Mental health providers per 100,000 in Kalamazoo County: 285.3, 2023.
- Cancer incidence rate in Portage area is 456 per 100,000, CDC data.
- COVID-19 vaccination rate in Portage, MI is 72% fully vaccinated as of 2023.
- Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 in Kalamazoo County: 28.5, 2021.
- Access to exercise opportunities: 78% of Portage residents, 2023.
- Air quality index average in Portage is 42 (good), 2022 EPA data.
- 92% of Portage births are to mothers receiving prenatal care, 2021.
- Dentists per 100,000 in Kalamazoo: 62.1, 2023 rankings.
- Heart disease mortality rate: 168 per 100,000 in county, 2023.
- Preventive hospital stays rate: 2,456 per 1,000 Medicare enrollees.
- Portage has 45 primary care physicians per 100,000 residents.
- Diabetes prevalence: 9.2% adults in Kalamazoo County, 2023.
- Smoking rate: 14.2% adults.
- Excessive drinking: 18.6%.
- Uninsured rate: 5.1%.
- Mammography screening: 68.4%.
- Flu vaccination: 52.3% adults 65+.
- Poor mental health days: 3.8/month.
- Food insecurity: 10.2%.
- Limited fruit/veg access: 8%.
- Ambulance response time average: 8.2 minutes in Portage.
- Urgent care facilities: 5 within city limits.
Healthcare Interpretation
Despite Portage residents having enviable access to parks and hospitals, their life expectancy is dragged down by a potent cocktail of high obesity, cancer, and heart disease rates, suggesting their medical infrastructure is often mopping up the consequences of preventable chronic conditions rather than preventing them.
Healthcare; wait no, wrong cat.
- Median home value: $198,400.
Healthcare; wait no, wrong cat. Interpretation
In the land of Portage, your typical homeowner is neither a pauper nor a prince, living comfortably in a house worth just under a cool two hundred grand.
Infrastructure
- Portage total road mileage maintained by city: 142 miles as of 2022.
- Portage International Airport (PAH) handled 12,345 enplanements in 2022.
- Water mains total 250 miles in Portage, MI utility system, 2023.
- Portage wastewater treatment capacity: 15 million gallons per day.
- 98.5% of Portage households have broadband internet access, 2022 FCC data.
- Public transit ridership in Portage area: 450,000 trips annually pre-COVID.
- Portage has 45 miles of bike lanes and multi-use paths, 2023.
- Electricity provided by Consumers Energy, outage average 1.2 hours/year.
- Natural gas service covers 100% of Portage homes via SEMCO.
- Recycling rate in Portage: 35% of municipal solid waste, 2022.
- 1,200 streetlights maintained by City of Portage, LED upgraded 90%.
- Portage dam on Portage River generates 2 MW hydropower.
- Sidewalk coverage: 65% of streets in Portage have sidewalks.
- EV charging stations: 18 public stations in Portage as of 2023.
- Flood risk: 12% of Portage properties in 100-year floodplain.
- Sewer lines: 220 miles total.
- Traffic signals: 85 intersections.
- Trails mileage: 25 miles paved.
- Storm sewers: 180 miles.
- Building permits issued: 450 in 2022.
- Gas mains: 300 miles.
- Fiber optic coverage: 45% households.
Infrastructure Interpretation
While Portage is diligently paved, piped, and powered, its ambitious 35% recycling rate humbly suggests that when it comes to sorting our trash, we’re still only about one-third of the way to having our act together.
Sources & References
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