RANK #18 / 1001 NAT · #1 / 36 MI · POP 133,778
1YR FORECAST: +2.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +41%
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.
Calhoun County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +4.3% runs below the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 5.8x 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 1001 counties.
Calhoun County ranks #18 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 98/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.0% and a median household income of $63,177 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Calhoun County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $162,800, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.39 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $968/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Calhoun County are both close to flat — population -0.1% YoY and jobs +1.0%. Home values shifted +4.3% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.1% 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.