St. Joseph: Demographics & People
Census counts 7,986 people in St. Joseph, in 4,193 households. Population grew 2.3% from 7,805 (2022) to 7,986 (2024). Median age 42.7 years. (2.4y older than Michigan). Children under 18 are 12% of the population. Population is 84% White (non-Hispanic) and 5% Hispanic or Latino. 45% of households are family-led. County is losing 1,647 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 40% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 1.9 people per household.
- 55% non-family households (singles, roommates).
Population & Trend
Population grew 2.3% from 7,805 (2022) to 7,986 (2024) — about 3.9× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~8,172 (extrapolated at 1.2%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 8,425.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 154,316 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 2.3% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 7,805 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 7,986 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 7,986 people |
| Population Estimate | 8,425 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 42.7y is 3.8 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 12% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 42.7 years (vs Michigan 40.3y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 12.2% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Population under 18 | 977 |
| Median age | 42.7 years (vs Michigan 40.3y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 7,986 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| White residents | 6,662 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 376 |
| Asian residents | 227 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 319 |
| Diversity Index · Simpson Index | 29.7% |
| Diversity Index · Interpretation | less diverse |
| Asian population | 1.7% |
| Black population | 4.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 5.2% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 83.7% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.7% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 6% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 4,749 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 2,665 |
| Share born in this state | 59.5% |
| Share born in another state | 40.5% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 33.4% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.7% |
| Naturalized citizens | 6.4% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 650 |
| From Europe | 37 |
| From Africa | 487 |
Households & Family Composition
4,193 households. Averaging 1.9 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 45% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 1,839 families, 30% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 1,092 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 1,839 |
| Married couples with children | 545 |
| Single-parent households | 26 |
| Average household size | 1.85 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 14.7% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 1 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 1 |
| Family households | 1,903 households |
| Households that are families | 45.4% |
| Total households | 4,193 households |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 16.5% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 1,647 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 16.5% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 138,488 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 140,135 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -1,647 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 314 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 4.2% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 436 residents live in group quarters (5.5% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 436 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 4 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | MI-04 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 26,021 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 26 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 21 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Berrien |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 24.4% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 22.20 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 26.80 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 26,021 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Berrien County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 6,498 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 26,021 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Berrien County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 63.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 58.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 52.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 153,401 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 20 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 12.2% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 7,986, growing, established, upper-middle, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 7,986 people |
| Town Summary · County | Berrien County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade