Branch County, Michigan: commercial real estate data.
Branch County, Michigan had an estimated 46,187 residents on July 1, 2024, up 2.9 percent since the 2020 census base of 44,864, across 506 square miles. County output reached $1.94 bn in 2024, 833 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 36 7(a) approvals worth $21.9 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Branch County
How many people live in Branch County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202445,300
- Households16,906
- Average household size2.68
- Median household income$63,724
- Median age40.6
- Median gross rent$959 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$162,500
- Home value to household income2.6 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income18.1 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher17.3 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree4.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over31,177
- Population under 1810,645
- Share under 1823.5 percent
- Population 65 and over8,787
- Share 65 and over19.4 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6425,868
- Civilian labor force20,826
- Unemployment rate5.7 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over60.1 percent
- Rank by population among Michigan counties38th of 83
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included1094th of 3,222
Branch County is the 38th largest of 83 Michigan counties by population. A median home costs 2.6 times median household income, which is affordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 23.5 percent against 19.4 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Branch County
Is Branch County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202446,187
- Census 2020 base population44,864
- Population change since the 2020 census base2.95 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024574
- Births, 2024594
- Deaths, 2024462
- Natural change, 2024132
- Net domestic migration, 202463
- Net international migration, 2024377
- Total net migration, 2024440
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20243
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents885th of 3,144
The county has grown 2.95 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Branch County
Where are people moving to Branch County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving984
- People arriving, from those returns1,714
- Tax returns filed by households leaving1,051
- Net household movement-67
- Adjusted gross income arriving$55.4 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$5.2 m
- Average income of an arriving household$56,315
- Average income of a leaving household$47,804
- Largest single originCalhoun County (138 households)
- Largest single destinationCalhoun County (152 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calhoun County | 138 | 257 | $5.7 m |
| Hillsdale County | 117 | 205 | $6.2 m |
| St. Joseph County | 81 | 174 | $4.2 m |
| Steuben County | 53 | 92 | $3.1 m |
| Kalamazoo County | 34 | 51 | $2.0 m |
| Allen County | 21 | 33 | $2.7 m |
| Miami-Dade County | 20 | 27 | $776,000 |
| Kent County | 20 | 28 | $872,000 |
Households arriving report $8,511 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Calhoun County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Branch County
What is the Branch County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$1.94 bn
- County GDP, 2023$1.87 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20243.9 percent
- GDP change over five years34.1 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Michigan areas BEA publishes39th of 83
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes1306th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$42,791
Output grew 3.9 percent in the latest year and 34.1 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Branch County
Employment by industry in Branch County
- Covered employment, annual average15,240
- Establishments reporting869
- Average annual pay$53,639
- Average weekly wage$1,032
- Manufacturing, employment3,704
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$61,240
- Retail trade, employment1,739
- Retail trade, average annual pay$37,084
- Accommodation and food services, employment1,606
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$20,230
- Transportation and warehousing, employment1,432
- Transportation and warehousing, average annual pay$71,949
- Health care and social assistance, employment846
- Wholesale trade, employment727
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 3,704 | 67 | $61,240 |
| Retail trade | 1,739 | 118 | $37,084 |
| Accommodation and food services | 1,606 | 75 | $20,230 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 1,432 | 34 | $71,949 |
| Health care and social assistance | 846 | 78 | $43,896 |
| Wholesale trade | 727 | 38 | $58,430 |
| Finance and insurance | 509 | 46 | $72,097 |
| Construction | 487 | 87 | $54,586 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 3,704 jobs, 24.3 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Branch County
How many businesses are in Branch County?
- Establishments, all industries833
- Employment at those establishments13,376
- Annual payroll$712.6 m
- Establishments per 1,000 residents18.4
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Branch County
Building permits in Branch County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 202443
- Declared construction value permitted$14.0 m
- Single family units authorized43
- Multifamily units authorized0
- Multifamily share of units0.0 percent
- Average declared value per unit$324,673
- Units authorized per 1,000 households2.5
Single-family homes are 100.0 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Branch County
SBA loans in Branch County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded36
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$21.9 m
- Average 7(a) approval$608,453
- Median 7(a) approval$226,350
- 10th percentile approval$38,400
- 90th percentile approval$1,382,000
- Largest single approval$3,830,900
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)258
- Jobs per approval7.2
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active16
- Distinct industries receiving approvals22
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer30.6 percent
- Loans on real estate terms11
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter22
- Franchise loans6
- Franchise share of approvals16.7 percent
- Leading industry by approval countAll Other Specialty Trade Contractors (5)
- Most active lenderThe Huntington National Bank (12)
- 504 approvals recorded8
- 504 gross approval dollars$4.3 m
- Average 504 approval$535,750
- Median 504 approval$305,000
- Distinct CDCs active4
- 504 jobs per approval9.8
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved18.2
- Most active CDCMichigan Certified Development Corporation (4)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$26.2 m
The average approval of $608,453 sits well above the median of $226,350, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. 30.6 percent of approvals run on real estate terms of 240 months or more, so this is a market where SBA credit is buying buildings, not just funding operations.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Branch County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Branch County
Do SBA loans in Branch County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded4
- Paid in full3
- Charged off1
- Status: Exempt from disclosure25
- Status: Paid in full3
- Status: Cancelled5
- Status: Charged off1
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed2
Only 4 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Branch County
SBA lending by place in Branch County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending5
- Coldwater, approvals23
- Union City, approvals5
- Bronson, approvals4
- Quincy, approvals3
- Montgomery, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Coldwater | 23 | $11,400,600 |
| Union City | 5 | $645,800 |
| Bronson | 4 | $6,986,900 |
| Quincy | 3 | $2,571,000 |
| Montgomery | 1 | $300,000 |
Coldwater accounts for 23 approvals against 5 in Union City. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Branch County
How large is Branch County?
- Land area506 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Michigan counties69th of 83
- Width, east to west24.2 mi
- Height, north to south21.6 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary5
- Residents per square mile of land90
- Establishments per square mile1.65
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Branch County
Flood risk in Branch County
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book15
- Of those, participating in the NFIP12
- NFIP participation rate80.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Branch County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The EPA places Branch County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 80.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Branch County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Branch County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202445,300
- Households16,906
- Average household size2.68
- Median household income$63,724
- Median age40.6
Common questions
Branch County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Branch County, Michigan?
The Census Bureau estimates 46,187 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 45,300, in 16,906 households, ranking 38th of 83 Michigan counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Branch County's population growing?
The population has grown 2.95 percent since the 2020 census base of 44,864, to 46,187 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 594 births against 462 deaths, with net migration of 440. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Branch County?
$63,724. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $162,500, which is 2.6 times income, and median gross rent is $959 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Branch County?
833 establishments, employing 13,376 people with an annual payroll of $712.6 m. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Branch County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 3,704 jobs, 24.3 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 15,240 jobs at an average annual pay of $53,639, or $1,032 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Branch County?
36 7(a) approvals totaling $21.9 m since FY2020, across 16 lenders, with a median approval of $226,350, plus 8 504 approvals worth $4.3 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Branch County?
43 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $14.0 m. Multifamily was 0.0 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Branch County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Branch County come from?
The largest single origin is Calhoun County, with 138 households. Arriving households report an average income of $56,315 against $47,804 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Branch County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Branch County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Branch County
Cities and places in Branch.
5 Census places lie wholly or partly in Branch County. All 5 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coldwater | city | 13,671 | 23 | Wholly in this county |
| Bronson | city | 2,083 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Union City | village | 1,940 | 5 | 95.8 percent here, 4.2 percent Calhoun County |
| Quincy | village | 1,484 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Sherwood | village | 388 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 1 of the county's 36 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Branch County, the largest being Montgomery (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby