Kalamazoo encompasses an area approximately 26 square miles and is located in the southwest corner of Michigan’s lower- peninsula approximately 136 miles west of Detroit, 73 miles southwest of Lansing (state capital of Michigan), 50 miles south of Grand Rapids, 23 miles west of Battle Creek and 145 miles east of Chicago, Illinois. The City, also the county seat, is easily accessible from both I-94 and U.S. 131, which cross the State from east to west and north to south, respectively.

According to the State of Michigan Cities: An Index of Urban Prosperity , there were 72,700 living in Kalamazoo in 2005 and 240,536 in Kalamazoo County. In 2005, the median household income in the city was $31,152, and the median income for a family was $44,166. The per capita income for the city was $20,088. About 30% of the city population lived below the poverty line.

According to the 2000 U. S. Census, the City of Kalamazoo’s population was spread out with 20.3% under 18 years old, 27.6% 18-24 years old, 26.8% 25-44 years old, 15.2% 45-64 years old and 10.1% over 65 years old. The median age for the City of Kalamazoo was 26 years old. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males and for every 100 females over 18 years old, there were 89.9 males. 
The State of Michigan reports that the State’s population increased by an estimated 2% in communities that are predominately non-urban. An estimated 71% of these communities experienced 4.7% growth.

Ten years ago, population trends marked the nation moving away from urban centers to rural/suburban areas. At present, revitalization efforts target the urban core and are attracting people back to the inner city. Kalamazoo is following that trend and has focused on developing downtown Kalamazoo. Downtown construction includes the development of lofts/condos, restaurants, retail shops and a movie theatre.

State of Michigan Cities: Index of Urban Prosperity, Southwest Michigan First  and the U.S. Census Quickfacts provide population data for Kalamazoo and the surrounding area. Information includes projected population growth, race statistics and breakdown of population by age.