Lakeside Inn · National Register of Historic Places
Chikaming’s story
Chikaming in pictures
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ChikamingMI
A town of 2,748. Nearly 12.2% of it is conserved land.
5 bordering townsMap →
Photo: John Menard from Phoenix, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
Population
2,748
−10.4% since 2010
Median home value
$367K
Census ACS
Household income
$84K
median
Median age
62.2
years
Jobs based here
794
Balanced
What makes Chikaming stand out
The 3 things Chikaming does most differently from other towns.
Outdoors
#77 most trails in MI
34 miles of trails across 19 parks and preserves
12.2% of the town is conserved land.
100 U.S. towns● Chikaming
Health
Healthier than 58%
of U.S. towns on CDC estimates
Better than MI on 10 measures, worse on 5.
A−School Grade
Schools
#221 for schools in MI
of 490 towns
School Grade A−.
A shrinking town
Chikaming has shrunk 10.4% since 2010
3,100 people in 2010; 2,748 today.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 · ACS
Chikaming’s report card
Now in Chikaming
Be the first to start the conversation.
Residents weigh in
Chikaming is #719 of 719 in MI for “Youngest”. Fair?
Your answer becomes a post in Chikaming’s Town Square.
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The data
Ordered by what stands out in Chikaming. Another town gets a different order.
Outdoors
12.2% of Chikaming is conserved land
34 miles of trails across 19 parks and preserves.
#77for trails in MI
12.2%
conserved · 1,714 of 14,067 acres
34 mi
of trails · 1.5 per sq mi
#96
most conserved land in MI
#274
most walkable in MI
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Harbert Road Preserve | 1.9 mi | 88 |
| 2. Robinson Woods Preserve | 1.8 mi | 78 |
| 3. Warren Woods State Park | 1.7 mi | 307 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-USParks & trails →
Health
Healthier than 58% of U.S. towns
Chikaming beats the Michigan average on 10 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 5.
BHealth Grade
32 measures vs. Michigan
10 better17 too close to call5 worse
| What stands out | Chikaming | MI |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing housing insecurity | 7.9% | 11.9% |
| Fewer adults facing a utility shut-off | 5.8% | 8.7% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 12.8% | 8.9% |
Franciscan Health Michigan City
17.2 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
71st
percentile among MI towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
Schools
Chikaming’s public schools outperform 77% of Michigan districts
The public schools Chikaming’s kids attend outperform 77% of Michigan’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.
A−School Grade
| School | Grades | Students | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Valley Elementary School | PK–5 | 195 | B |
| River Valley MiddleHigh School | 6–12 | 265 | B |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MI on state testsAll 2 schools →
Natural hazards
Very low risk, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 18% of U.S. communities.
18risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoesCold waves
3
paid flood claims since 1981
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Safety
Less crime per resident than 70% of U.S. towns
Chikaming reports less crime per resident than 70% of the U.S. towns and cities we grade.
B+Safety Grade
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Chikaming0.7
Michigan4.3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Chikaming7.3
Michigan13
U.S.15.5
70th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
69th
percentile among MI towns
2
violent crimes reported in 2025
20
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeFull safety report →
Climate
Snowy winters, pleasant summers
Chikaming has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 19°, and about 62 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
62″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter22–35°
Spring38–58°
Summer61–81°
Fall44–62°
Oct 27
typical first frost
Apr 19
typical last frost
+1.1°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Work & commute
About one in six working residents works right in Chikaming
Most working residents leave Chikaming for work: only 18% work in town. The top destinations are New Buffalo (6%), Grand Rapids (5%) and St. Joseph (4%). Half commute less than 18 miles.
18%work in town
Where working residents work
In Chikaming18%
New Buffalo6%
Grand Rapids5%
St. Joseph4%
Lincoln4%
18 mi
median commute distance
794
jobs based in Chikaming
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2021 · ACSCommute map →
About Chikaming
Civil township in Michigan, United States
Chikaming Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 2,778. The township is located in the west central portion of the county. Lake Michigan lies to the northwest, Lake Township is to the north and northeast, Weesaw Township is to the east, Three Oaks Township is to the south, and New Buffalo Township is to the southwest.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Population
- 2,778
- Area
- 22 sq mi
- Elevation
- 640 ft
Chikaming’s neighbors
5 towns share a border with Chikaming.
Shorewood-Tower Hills-HarbertWeesawThree OaksLakeNew BuffaloChikaming
More about Chikaming
Still missing for Chikaming:local news coverageupcoming events