Branch County Demographics

A map of Branch County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	39,155	39,025	86.4%	87.0%
Hispanic	3,071	2,583	6.8%	5.8%
Multiracial	1,849	1,587	4.1%	3.5%
Black	757	1,124	1.7%	2.5%
Native American/Other	266	277	0.6%	0.6%
Asian	202	266	0.4%	0.6%

Branch County, Michigan has an estimated population of 45,300, a less than 1% change from the 44,862 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 86.4% White, 6.8% Hispanic, 4.1% Multiracial, 1.7% Black, 0.6% Native American/Other, and 0.4% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Branch County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Branch has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Michigan overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Branch County, that probability was 23.8% in 2020 and 24.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Branch County is ranked the 38th most populous county in Michigan, out of 83 counties. Branch County was ranked the 38th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Branch County's White Population

39,155 residents of Branch County, or 86.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Branch County is considerably higher than in Michigan overall, where 72.4% of the population is White. Branch County ranks 51st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Branch County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Branch County's population has decreased from 87.0% to 86.4%.

Branch County is more White than neighboring Calhoun County (75.3% White), and St. Joseph County (83.5% White). Branch County is less White than neighboring Steuben County (91.4% White), LaGrange County (93.4% White), and Hillsdale County (92.1% White).

Branch County's Black Population

757 residents of Branch County, or 1.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Branch County is considerably lower than in Michigan overall, where 13.1% of the population is Black. Branch County ranks 26th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Branch County's Black population has declined by an estimated 32.7%. Black residents' share of Branch County's population has decreased from 2.5% to 1.7%.

Branch County is more Black than neighboring Steuben County (0.7% Black), LaGrange County (0.3% Black), and Hillsdale County (0.7% Black). Branch County is less Black than neighboring Calhoun County (9.6% Black), and St. Joseph County (2.1% Black).

Branch County's Asian Population

202 residents of Branch County, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Branch County is slightly lower than in Michigan overall, where 3.4% of the population is Asian. Branch County ranks 29th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Branch County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 24.1%. Asian residents' share of Branch County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Branch County is more Asian than neighboring LaGrange County (0.1% Asian), and Hillsdale County (0.3% Asian). Branch County is less Asian than neighboring Steuben County (0.7% Asian), Calhoun County (2.6% Asian), and St. Joseph County (0.7% Asian).

Branch County's Hispanic Population

3,071 residents of Branch County, or 6.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Branch County is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 5.9% of the population is Hispanic. Branch County ranks 17th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Branch County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 18.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Branch County's population has increased from 5.8% to 6.8%.

Branch County is more Hispanic than neighboring Steuben County (4.5% Hispanic), Calhoun County (5.9% Hispanic), LaGrange County (4.5% Hispanic), and Hillsdale County (2.8% Hispanic). Branch County is less Hispanic than neighboring St. Joseph County (9.4% Hispanic).

Branch County's Native American/Other Population

266 residents of Branch County, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Branch County is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Branch County ranks 65th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Branch County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 4.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Branch County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Branch County is more Native American/Other than neighboring LaGrange County (0.1% Native American/Other), Hillsdale County (0.5% Native American/Other), and St. Joseph County (0.5% Native American/Other). Branch County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Calhoun County (0.7% Native American/Other).

Branch County's Multiracial Population

1,849 residents of Branch County, or 4.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Branch County is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Branch County ranks 67th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Branch County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 16.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Branch County's population has increased from 3.5% to 4.1%.

Branch County is more Multiracial than neighboring Steuben County (2.2% Multiracial), LaGrange County (1.6% Multiracial), Hillsdale County (3.6% Multiracial), and St. Joseph County (3.8% Multiracial). Branch County is less Multiracial than neighboring Calhoun County (6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.