What are the schools like in Plainwell, MI?

Plainwell is served primarily by Plainwell Community Schools. The district operates 3 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 18.4:1.

What is the median household income in Plainwell?

The median household income in Plainwell, MI is $61,086 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 5.8%.

What is the weather like in Plainwell, MI?

Plainwell has an average high temperature of 30.2°F in January and 81.8°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 38.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 109.0 inches.

Plainwell, MI Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Plainwell, MI affordable or expensive?

Plainwell's cost of living index is 94, where 100 represents the national average. This means Plainwell is 6% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $163,300 and the median rent is $845 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Plainwell, MI?

Plainwell has a violent crime rate of 267.8 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1178.4 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Plainwell, MI a Good Place to Live?

Plainwell is a small town of 3,763 in Michigan, with a median household income of $61,086 and a 5.8% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is 6% below the national average.

Strengths: Plainwell stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Plainwell is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Plainwell 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: 94.0

Plainwell's overall cost of living index is 94.0, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Plainwell costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.

Metric	Plainwell, MI	National Avg
Median Home Value	$163,300	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$845	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	68.2%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$61,086	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Safer than Average

Plainwell's violent crime rate is 267.8 per 100,000 residents — 30% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

267.8 /100k

Property Crime

1178.4 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Plainwell is served primarily by Plainwell Community Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.4:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Plainwell, MI	National Avg
School District	Plainwell Community Schools	—
Elementary Schools	3	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	18.4:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	19.3%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	94.8%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Plainwell sees average highs of 30.2°F in January and 81.8°F in July, with 38.5 inches of annual precipitation and 109.0 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Plainwell, MI
Average High — January	30.2°F
Average High — July	81.8°F
Annual Precipitation	38.5"
Annual Snowfall	109.0"

Demographics

Metric	Plainwell, MI	National Avg
Population	3,763	—
Median Age	39.5	38.9
Unemployment Rate	5.8%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	19.7 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	92.6%	59.3%
Black or African American	2.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.8%	18.9%
Asian	0.2%	6.3%
Under 18	18.9%	22.2%
65 and over	19.7%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Otsego, MI 2 mi Martin, MI 6 mi Parchment, MI 10 mi Westwood, MI 10 mi Allegan, MI 11 mi

ZIP Codes in Plainwell

Plainwell, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code:

49080

Plainwell vs Other Cities

Plainwell, MI vs Otsego, MI Plainwell, MI vs Martin, MI Plainwell, MI vs Parchment, MI Plainwell, MI vs Westwood, MI Plainwell, MI vs Allegan, MI

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Plainwell, MI affordable or expensive?

Plainwell's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average. That makes Plainwell roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $163,300 and median rent is $845/month.

What is the crime rate in Plainwell, MI?

Plainwell's violent crime rate is 267.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1178.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Plainwell?

Public schools in Plainwell are operated by Plainwell Community Schools. The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.4:1. 19.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Plainwell, MI a good place to live?

Plainwell, MI has a population of 3,763, a median household income of $61,086, and an unemployment rate of 5.8%. 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.

What is the weather like in Plainwell?

Plainwell averages 30.2°F in January and 81.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.5 inches with about 109.0 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Plainwell?

Plainwell, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 49080.

What is the population of Plainwell?

The population of Plainwell, Michigan is 3,763 with a median age of 39.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Plainwell?

Key numbers for living in Plainwell: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $163,300, median household income $61,086, crime index 65 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Plainwell side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.