Portage, MI Demographics

A map of Portage's Population by Race

Portage, Michigan has an estimated population of 49,259, a less than 1% change from the 48,891 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 79.5% White, 6.2% Black, 5.6% Hispanic, 4.8% Multiracial, 3.4% Asian, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Portage, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Portage 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 Portage, that probability was 34.9% in 2020 and 35.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Portage is ranked the 25th 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). Portage was ranked the 25th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Portage's White Population

39,173 residents of Portage, or 79.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Portage is higher than in Michigan overall, where 72.4% of the population is White. Portage ranks 614th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portage's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Portage's population has decreased from 80.1% to 79.5%.

Portage is more White than neighboring Kalamazoo (60% White), Westwood (64.9% White), and Eastwood (62.6% White). Portage is less White than neighboring Schoolcraft (89.4% White), and Vicksburg (95.1% White).

Portage's Black Population

3,035 residents of Portage, or 6.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Portage is lower than in Michigan overall, where 13.1% of the population is Black. Portage ranks 112th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portage's Black population has grown by an estimated 23.0%. Black residents' share of Portage's population has increased from 5.0% to 6.2%.

Portage is more Black than neighboring Schoolcraft (0.7% Black), and Vicksburg (0.5% Black). Portage is less Black than neighboring Kalamazoo (22.3% Black), Westwood (19.7% Black), and Eastwood (15.5% Black).

Portage's Asian Population

1,694 residents of Portage, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Portage is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 3.4% of the population is Asian. Portage ranks 36th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portage's Asian population has declined by an estimated 24.3%. Asian residents' share of Portage's population has decreased from 4.6% to 3.4%.

Portage is more Asian than neighboring Kalamazoo (3% Asian), Schoolcraft (0% Asian), Vicksburg (0.5% Asian), and Eastwood (0.5% Asian). Portage is less Asian than neighboring Westwood (5.7% Asian).

Portage's Hispanic Population

2,741 residents of Portage, or 5.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Portage is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 5.9% of the population is Hispanic. Portage ranks 235th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portage's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 24.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Portage's population has increased from 4.5% to 5.6%.

Portage is more Hispanic than neighboring Schoolcraft (4.2% Hispanic), Vicksburg (0.9% Hispanic), and Westwood (4.1% Hispanic). Portage is less Hispanic than neighboring Kalamazoo (7.8% Hispanic), and Eastwood (12.9% Hispanic).

Portage's Native American/Other Population

270 residents of Portage, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Portage is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Portage ranks 342nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portage's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 29.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Portage's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Portage is more Native American/Other than neighboring Schoolcraft (0% Native American/Other), Vicksburg (0% Native American/Other), Westwood (0% Native American/Other), and Eastwood (0.2% Native American/Other). Portage is less Native American/Other than neighboring Kalamazoo (0.6% Native American/Other).

Portage's Multiracial Population

2,346 residents of Portage, or 4.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Portage is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Portage ranks 222nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portage's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 2.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Portage's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.8%.

Portage is more Multiracial than neighboring Vicksburg (3% Multiracial). Portage is less Multiracial than neighboring Kalamazoo (6.3% Multiracial), Schoolcraft (5.6% Multiracial), Westwood (5.6% Multiracial), and Eastwood (8.4% 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.