Signals
Kalamazoo-Portage
Wooster
Growth
36 · Bottom 28%
vs40 · Bottom 33%
Climate
62 · Bottom 34%
vs62 · Bottom 33%
Physical resilience
93 · Top 3%
vs86 · Top 8%
Housing affordability
96 · Top 45%
vs100 · Top 29%
Access
96 · Top 13%
vs91 · Top 22%
Economic stability
75 · Top 19%
vs78 · Top 16%
Measured values
| Metric | Kalamazoo-Portage | Wooster | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 262,375 | 116,588 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $72,532 | $73,574 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $41,530 | $35,229 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 467/sq mi | 210/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $241,800 | $222,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,093 | $881 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 64.5% | 76.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 41.3% | 25.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.7% | 9.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 438 | 230 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.7 | 2.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 2.3% | 1.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 83°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 18°F | 18°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 33.2" | 36.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 15 mi | 24 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.4 min | 22.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 35.0 | 38.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Kalamazoo-Portage
Elevated or high exposure: hail, tornado, strong wind.
Wooster
Elevated or high exposure: tornado.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Kalamazoo-Portage
71
Your Score
66
Area Score
Wooster
76
Your Score
—
Area Score
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Full profiles: Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Metro Area · Wooster, OH Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology