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Town

Kalamazoo

#4 in Best Places to Live in Kalamazoo County
  • A-
    Overall Grade
  • Town in Michigan
  • 199 reviews
A-
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Public Schools
    B+
  2. Crime & Safety
    C
  3. Housing
    B-
  4. Nightlife
    A-
  5. Good for Families
    A-
  6. Diversity
    A
  7. Jobs
    C+
  8. Weather
    C-
  9. Cost of Living
    B+
  10. Health & Fitness
    B-
  11. Outdoor Activities
    A-
  12. Commute
    A
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Kalamazoo is a town in Michigan with a population of 75,833. Kalamazoo is in Kalamazoo County and is one of the best places to live in Michigan. Living in Kalamazoo offers residents a suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Kalamazoo there are a lot of parks. Many young professionals live in Kalamazoo and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Kalamazoo are above average.
Population
75,833

Real Estate

Median Home Value
$99,300
National
$184,700
Median Rent
$743
National
$949
Area Feel
Suburban
Rent vs. Own
  • Rent
    55%
  • Own
    45%
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Kalamazoo Rankings

Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.

Crime & Safety

Crime & Safety
C
Based on violent and property crime rates.
Violent Crimes
  • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
National
  • Assault
    814
    283
  • Murder
    13
    6
  • Rape
    170
    41
  • Robbery
    199
    136
Property Crimes
  • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
National
  • Burglary
    931
    500
  • Theft
    2,796
    2,043
  • Motor Vehicle Theft
    435
    284
Home Security Options for Kalamazoo
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  • 24/7 Whole home protection with no contract
  • CNET Editor’s choice winner 2018

Residents

Diversity
A
Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
Age
  • <10 years
    11%
  • 10-17 years
    9%
  • 18-24 years
    28%
  • 25-34 years
    14%
  • 35-44 years
    11%
  • 45-54 years
    8%
  • 55-64 years
    9%
  • 65+ years
    10%
Education Levels
National
  • Master's degree or higher
    15%
    12%
  • Bachelor's degree
    19%
    19%
  • Some college or associate's degree
    35%
    29%
  • High school diploma or equivalent
    21%
    28%
  • Less than high school diploma
    10%
    13%

Working in Kalamazoo

Jobs
C+
Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
Median Household Income
$37,438
National
$55,322
Search for Jobs in Kalamazoo
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Kalamazoo Reviews

199 reviews
All Categories
I attend Western Michigan University and have gotten the chance to explore a lot of what Kalamazoo has to offer. From the old 1900s architecture of Vine-street to Bell's Eccentric Cafe and Brewery, Kalamazoo gives the feeling of new growth and potential for a fun city to explore. Many new small businesses have been popping up downtown and have changed the atmosphere of the city. It has an indie vibe that reminds me of Grand Rapids but is connected between Chicago and Detroit by the railway which makes it a true Constantinople of Michigan; A crossroads for ideas and culture that is unmatched throughout the Midwest. There is a lot of progress to be made, but Kalamazoo has stolen my heart. I cannot wait to see how the city will grow in the future!
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Kalamazoo is a wonderful place to live! It has all the amenities found in a much bigger city without losing the charm offered by small towns. The downtown area is constantly evolving and offers a host of restaurants, breweries, shopping, and many other fun things to do and is built around an outdoor mall model, making it incredibly pedestrian friendly. Being home to several colleges, Kalamazoo always seems to have something going on. Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College are conveniently placed in the center of the city, between downtown and the shopping areas, making the campuses incredibly commuter friendly. College students are able to ride the bus for free and the city has an extensive route system. The Vine Neighborhood between campus and downtown hosts some of the best coffee and food in town and is a bustling art community and staple in the local music scene.
I like how the college students and the rest of the town seem to be separated from each other. I think it keeps a nice balance for families and for students. Which brings me to the housing situation, if you are interested in student housing that is readily available and very easy to find. They have lots of flexible leasing options as well. Then when and if you decide to you are done with that scene they have affordable housing options available in decent neighborhoods throughout town including lofts downtown. The roads are easy to navigate and if you are looking for a city feel with a homey vibe kalamazoo is the town for you!