Dowagiac is a small town of 5,680 in Michigan, with a median household income of $41,864
and a 11.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Dowagiac stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Dowagiac is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Dowagiac city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 91.4
Dowagiac's overall cost of living index is 91.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Dowagiac costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Dowagiac, MI
National Avg
Median Home Value
$101,300
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$696
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
56.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$41,864
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
Dowagiac's violent crime rate is 689.0 per 100,000 residents
— 81% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
689.0 /100k
Property Crime
3427.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Dowagiac is served primarily by Dowagiac Union School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.6:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Dowagiac, MI
National Avg
School District
Dowagiac Union School District
—
Elementary Schools
4
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
16.6:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
15.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
84.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Dowagiac sees average highs of 31.1°F in January
and 81.5°F in July,
with 41.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 86.6 inches of snow per year.
Dowagiac's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Dowagiac roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $101,300 and median rent is $696/month.
Dowagiac's violent crime rate is 689.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3427.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Dowagiac are operated by Dowagiac Union School District.
The district has 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.6:1. 15.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Dowagiac, MI has a population of 5,680, a median household income of $41,864, and an unemployment rate of 11.1%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Dowagiac averages 31.1°F in January and 81.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 41.7 inches
with about 86.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Dowagiac, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 49047.
The population of Dowagiac, Michigan is 5,680 with a median age of 36.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Dowagiac: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $101,300, median household income $41,864, crime index 174 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Dowagiac side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
