Battle Creek
RANK #41 / 996 NAT · #2 / 36 MI · POP 134,011
1YR FORECAST: +2.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +40%
Marshall, the county seat of Calhoun County, Michigan, stands out with its preserved 19th-century architecture and walkable downtown. Located in south-central Michigan, Calhoun County sits along the I-94 corridor, roughly halfway between Detroit and Chicago. This positioning allows for convenient commutes to larger cities like Kalamazoo and Lansing. The community offers a blend of small-town atmosphere and access to natural scenery, including numerous parks, rivers, and trails for outdoor recreation.
Life in Calhoun County offers a balance of rural and urban experiences, with many residents owning their homes. The local economy is supported by manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and agriculture. Recent investments in renewable energy and advanced manufacturing are reshaping the economic landscape, attracting new businesses and employment opportunities. Educational options include public, private, and charter schools, with institutions like Albion College and Kellogg Community College also present in the county.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.5x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Alterra Marshall Technology Center (Data Center)
Alterra Development
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Sunfish Solar 2
Consumers Energy and Hecate Energy
|
$360M | Under Construction |
|
Calhoun Solar Energy Center
Invenergy
|
$200M | Operating |
|
Brandt Woods Solar Project
AES Clean Energy (Michigan Public Power Agency is a purchaser)
|
$125M | Operating |
|
Liberty Crossing Energy Storage Center
Invenergy
|
$70M | Proposed |
|
Duncan Aviation Expansion
Duncan Aviation
|
$30M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Calhoun County ranks #41 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 96/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.6% and a median household income of $58,191 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Calhoun County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $138,700, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.42 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $897/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Calhoun County are hiring — job growth of +1.6% — but the population is close to flat (-0.1% YoY). Home values moved +3.4% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.47% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Calhoun County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.