Median Age
40 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 13% of Residents
Under 20
24%
Over 65
21%
Plainwell, MI
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$849
Population
3,679
Renter Mix
32% Rent
Delight in the small-town feel of the Island City
Suburban
•
Historic
•
Charming
Plainwell, Michigan sits along the Kalamazoo River in Allegan County, close enough to Kalamazoo that you can tap into a small-city energy while still coming home to a quieter pace of life. The downtown area has a walkable, close-knit character with local shops and eateries tucked into historic storefronts. The Kalamazoo River runs right through town, giving residents easy access to kayaking, fishing, and riverside trails without ever leaving city limits. Plainwell is also home to a strong manufacturing base, and its proximity to Kalamazoo, about 15 miles north, makes it a practical option for commuters who prefer a slower-paced setting.
Neighborhoods here tend to reflect the city's roots, with tree-lined streets, well-kept older homes, and a general sense of community that's hard to manufacture. The rental landscape leans toward single-family homes and smaller apartment communities, many of which are tucked into residential pockets near the river or within walking distance of downtown. Newer builds are less common, but the housing stock has character to spare. Plainwell Community Schools anchors the local education scene, and the broader Allegan County area offers additional outdoor recreation, making it a solid base for anyone who wants small-town Michigan living without feeling truly off the grid.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$73,341
Average: $77,650
Education
718
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
1,709
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Plainwell has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
32%
Non-Renters
68%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
15%
Other Education
85%
Rent Trends
As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Plainwell, MI is $849 for one bedroom, $1,044 for two bedrooms, and $1,562 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Plainwell has increased by 1.5% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$849/month
473 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Plainwell, MI is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
30
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
436 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
407 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
576 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
810 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
6 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Bittersweet Ski Resort
- Kalamazoo Nature Center
- Timber Ridge Ski Area
Commuter Rail
Airports
- Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International
- Gerald R Ford International
Top Apartments in Plainwell
Houses for Rent in Plainwell
Living in Plainwell
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Nearby City Guides
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.