Battle Creek Michigan Residential Rent and Rental Statistics
The median monthly gross residential rent in Battle Creek, MI (the Battle Creek metro area) was $785 in 2019 according to the Census ACS survey.1 Average gross rent in Battle Creek was $773 in 2019. The median rent more accurately depicts rental rates in the middle of the distribution of rents and is thus preferred in the analysis below. 2020 Battle Creek median and average rent data will be released in September of 2021.
Data is also available below for Battle Creek rental vacancy rates, Battle Creek rent as a percent of median income and the fraction of renters in Battle Creek.
Real Gross Rent in Battle Creek Michigan (2019 dollars)2
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Median Gross Rent | $1,097 | +1.86% | +6.82% |
| Michigan Median Gross Rent | $888 | +1.25% | +3.62% |
| Battle Creek, MI Median Gross Rent | $785 | -1.26% | +7.24% |
Battle Creek, MI Real Gross Rent Trends
Median gross rent for Battle Creek peaked in real terms in 2018 at $795 and is now $10 (1.26%) lower. Average gross rent for Battle Creek peaked in real terms in 2018 at $821 and is now $48 (5.85%) lower.
Real Gross Rent in Battle Creek: Battle Creek MI Median, Battle Creek MI Average, Michigan Median, US Median
Real Gross Rent History for Battle Creek
| Date | US Median |
Michigan Median |
Battle Creek, MI Median |
Battle Creek, MI Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $1,097 | $888 | $785 | $773 |
| 2018 | $1,077 | $877 | $795 | $821 |
| 2017 | $1,043 | $861 | $716 | $686 |
| 2016 | $1,027 | $857 | $732 | $740 |
| 2015 | $1,017 | $852 | $723 | $791 |
| 2014 | $986 | $832 | $775 | $724 |
| 2013 | $953 | $809 | $722 | $711 |
| 2012 | $940 | $796 | $684 | $665 |
| 2011 | $941 | $798 | $691 | $679 |
| 2010 | $955 | $816 | $697 | $727 |
| 2009 | $960 | $816 | $723 | $741 |
| 2007 | $927 | $802 | $725 | $711 |
| 2005 | $910 | $819 | $689 | $689 |
Battle Creek Rental Vacancy Rate
The rental vacancy rate is the fraction of homes for rent that are not occupied.3 In 2019 the rental vacancy rate for Battle Creek Michigan was 11.36% according to Census ACS data.
Rental Vacancy Rate in Battle Creek Michigan
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 5.97% | -0.18% | +0.08% |
| Michigan | 5.56% | +0.74% | +0.15% |
| Battle Creek, MI | 11.36% | +1.08% | +0.65% |
Trends in Battle Creek, MI Rental Vacancy Rate
The rental vacancy rate in Battle Creek peaked in 2006 at 16.17%. Since then it has fallen by 4.81% to 11.36%. Data records for this series originated in 2005. From a 2009 post peak low of 3.73%, the rental vacancy rate has increased by 7.63%.
Rental Vacancy Rate: Battle Creek MI, Michigan, US
Historical Rental Vacancy Rate data for Battle Creek
| Date | US | Michigan | Battle Creek, MI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5.97% | 5.56% | 11.36% |
| 2018 | 6.15% | 4.82% | 10.28% |
| 2017 | 6.18% | 4.87% | 7.04% |
| 2016 | 5.89% | 5.41% | 10.71% |
| 2015 | 5.85% | 5.19% | 9.34% |
| 2014 | 6.32% | 5.88% | 11.06% |
| 2013 | 6.49% | 6.04% | 6.76% |
| 2012 | 6.77% | 6.73% | 5.98% |
| 2011 | 7.40% | 7.72% | 14.51% |
| 2010 | 8.17% | 9.60% | 8.45% |
| 2009 | 8.43% | 9.48% | 3.73% |
| 2007 | 7.87% | 9.66% | 7.56% |
| 2005 | 7.74% | 10.09% | 13.34% |
Rent as a Fraction of Income
Using median household income data for Battle Creek, we can calculate the fraction of income the median household would use to pay rent at the median monthly gross rent rate. For Battle Creek, median monthly gross rent as a fraction of median household income was 19.20% in 2019 according to the ACS.
Battle Creek Michigan Median Annual Rent as a Fraction of Median Household Income
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 20.03% | -0.47% | -0.40% |
| Michigan | 17.88% | -0.34% | -0.82% |
| Battle Creek, MI | 19.20% | -0.65% | +0.93% |
Trends in Battle Creek, MI Rent as a Fraction of Income
The fraction of median Battle Creek household income required to pay median monthly gross rent peaked in 2011 (relative to the 2005 series origin) at 19.86%. Since then it has fallen by 0.66% to 19.20%.
Fraction of Income towards Rent: Battle Creek MI, Michigan, US
Historical Data for Annual Rent as a Fraction of Income in Battle Creek Michigan
| Date | US | Michigan | Battle Creek, MI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 20.03% | 17.88% | 19.20% |
| 2018 | 20.50% | 18.22% | 19.85% |
| 2017 | 20.13% | 18.25% | 18.35% |
| 2016 | 20.43% | 18.70% | 18.27% |
| 2015 | 20.63% | 18.86% | 19.00% |
| 2014 | 20.89% | 18.97% | 19.11% |
| 2013 | 20.78% | 19.09% | 18.49% |
| 2012 | 20.65% | 19.16% | 19.69% |
| 2011 | 20.70% | 19.29% | 19.86% |
| 2010 | 20.50% | 19.29% | 17.45% |
| 2009 | 20.12% | 18.99% | 19.76% |
| 2007 | 18.66% | 17.09% | 17.99% |
| 2005 | 18.89% | 17.07% | 16.44% |
Renter Fraction in Battle Creek Michigan
You can calculate the renter fraction in Battle Creek in at least two ways: by housing units or by population. I've gone with the housing units measure here. This measure looks at the number of renting households in Battle Creek as a fraction of total Battle Creek households. In 2019 26.79% of households were renters according to Census ACS data.
Battle Creek Fraction of Renters by Household Units
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 35.89% | -0.16% | -0.99% |
| Michigan | 28.43% | -0.38% | -1.25% |
| Battle Creek, MI | 26.79% | -4.91% | -4.01% |
Trends in the Battle Creek, MI Renter Fraction
The Battle Creek household renter fraction peaked in in 2012 at 32.45% and is now 5.66% below that level. The origin year for the series is 2005.
Fraction of Renting Households: Battle Creek MI, Michigan, US
History of Battle Creek Renter Fraction
| Date | US | Michigan | Battle Creek, MI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 35.89% | 28.43% | 26.79% |
| 2018 | 36.05% | 28.81% | 31.70% |
| 2017 | 36.13% | 28.67% | 31.80% |
| 2016 | 36.88% | 29.68% | 30.80% |
| 2015 | 36.97% | 29.58% | 30.74% |
| 2014 | 36.90% | 29.76% | 28.78% |
| 2013 | 36.50% | 29.45% | 30.99% |
| 2012 | 36.09% | 28.94% | 32.45% |
| 2011 | 35.42% | 28.26% | 31.46% |
| 2010 | 34.65% | 27.25% | 27.85% |
| 2009 | 34.13% | 26.81% | 29.41% |
| 2007 | 32.80% | 25.17% | 28.04% |
| 2005 | 33.10% | 25.33% | 24.94% |
1. Gross rent is defined as contract rent plus the estimated average monthly cost of utilities (electricity, gas, water, and sewer) and fuel (oil, coal, kerosene, wood, etc.). Because some rentals include utilities and others don't, gross rent is a way of normalizing the variability. ↩
2. Real dollars are calculated using the CPI-U less shelter series. ↩
3. The rental vacancy rate is computed by dividing the number of vacant units for rent by the sum of the renter-occupied units, vacant units that are for rent, and vacant units that have been rented but not yet occupied. ↩
Department of Numbers
The Department of Numbers contextualizes public data so that individuals can form independent opinions on everyday social and economic matters.
Here's where you are
- Home
- / Rent
- / Michigan
- / Battle Creek
