Dowagiac, MI Demographics

A map of Dowagiac's Population by Race

Dowagiac, Michigan has an estimated population of 5,732, a less than 1% change from the 5,721 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 74.9% White, 9.2% Hispanic, 8.0% Black, 5.5% Multiracial, 2.0% Native American/Other, and 0.4% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Dowagiac, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Dowagiac has become considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is 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 Dowagiac, that probability was 53.3% in 2020 and 42.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Dowagiac is ranked the 166th most populous place in Michigan, out of 745 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Dowagiac was ranked the 164th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Dowagiac's White Population

4,291 residents of Dowagiac, or 74.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Dowagiac is slightly higher than in Michigan overall, where 72.4% of the population is White. Dowagiac ranks 680th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Dowagiac's White population has grown by an estimated 14.0%. White residents' share of Dowagiac's population has increased from 65.8% to 74.9%.

Dowagiac is more White than neighboring Cassopolis (53.7% White), Decatur (73.7% White), Eau Claire (55.9% White), and Niles (74.2% White). Dowagiac is less White than neighboring Edwardsburg (85.7% White).

Dowagiac's Black Population

458 residents of Dowagiac, or 8.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Dowagiac is lower than in Michigan overall, where 13.1% of the population is Black. Dowagiac ranks 53rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Dowagiac's Black population has declined by an estimated 40.4%. Black residents' share of Dowagiac's population has decreased from 13.4% to 8.0%.

Dowagiac is more Black than neighboring Decatur (3.4% Black), Edwardsburg (3.3% Black), and Eau Claire (5.2% Black). Dowagiac is less Black than neighboring Cassopolis (26.5% Black), and Niles (13.8% Black).

Dowagiac's Asian Population

24 residents of Dowagiac, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Dowagiac is slightly lower than in Michigan overall, where 3.4% of the population is Asian. Dowagiac ranks 425th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Dowagiac's Asian population has grown by an estimated 20.0%. Asian residents' share of Dowagiac's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Dowagiac is more Asian than neighboring Decatur (0.3% Asian), and Eau Claire (0% Asian). Dowagiac is less Asian than neighboring Cassopolis (2.9% Asian), and Niles (0.5% Asian).

Dowagiac's Hispanic Population

529 residents of Dowagiac, or 9.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Dowagiac is slightly higher than in Michigan overall, where 5.9% of the population is Hispanic. Dowagiac ranks 70th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Dowagiac's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 19.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Dowagiac's population has increased from 7.8% to 9.2%.

Dowagiac is more Hispanic than neighboring Cassopolis (3.7% Hispanic), Edwardsburg (0.7% Hispanic), and Niles (7% Hispanic). Dowagiac is less Hispanic than neighboring Decatur (16.1% Hispanic), and Eau Claire (37% Hispanic).

Dowagiac's Native American/Other Population

113 residents of Dowagiac, or 2.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Dowagiac is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Dowagiac ranks 37th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Dowagiac's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 35.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Dowagiac's population has decreased from 3.0% to 2.0%.

Dowagiac is more Native American/Other than neighboring Cassopolis (0.1% Native American/Other), Decatur (0% Native American/Other), Edwardsburg (0% Native American/Other), Eau Claire (0.2% Native American/Other), and Niles (0.2% Native American/Other).

Dowagiac's Multiracial Population

317 residents of Dowagiac, or 5.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Dowagiac is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Dowagiac ranks 9th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Dowagiac's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 42.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Dowagiac's population has decreased from 9.6% to 5.5%.

Dowagiac is more Multiracial than neighboring Eau Claire (1.7% Multiracial), and Niles (4.4% Multiracial). Dowagiac is less Multiracial than neighboring Cassopolis (13.1% Multiracial), Decatur (6.5% Multiracial), and Edwardsburg (9.9% 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.