Plainwell
What’s happening
Weather
Forecast →Upcoming events
Put the next local happening — a market, a meeting, a concert — on the map.
Local news
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The Plainwell album
Outdoors in Plainwell
Parks & trails →Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
About Plainwell
City in Michigan, United StatesPlainwell is a city in Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,788 at the 2020 census. Plainwell is located on M-89 just east of its junction with US 131. The city of Otsego is about three miles (4.8 km) to the west. The city of Kalamazoo is about ten miles (16 km) to the south, and the city of Grand Rapids is about thirty-five miles (56 km) to the north. The Kalamazoo River flows through the center of the city and it is known as "The Island City".
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
How Plainwell ranks
All →Town numbers
Housing in Plainwell
The typical Plainwell home is worth about $238,000, up 1.7% in a year, 11% below the Michigan typical home.
Only 3 sales in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.
Safety in Plainwell
Safety Grade C+
Plainwell reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 61% report less.
Work & commute in Plainwell
Full picture →Most working residents leave Plainwell for work: only 6% work in town. The top destinations are Kalamazoo (12%), Portage (6%) and Allegan (6%). Half commute less than 15 miles.
Health in Plainwell
Health Grade B−
Healthier than 51% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 70% of towns with similar incomes.
Compared with Michigan
of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 30 are too close to call.
What stands out
Care nearby
Natural hazards in Plainwell
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 39% of U.S. communities.
Climate in Plainwell
Full climate →Plainwell has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 18°, and about 109 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
Schools in Plainwell
All Plainwell schools →School Grade B+
The public schools Plainwell’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 68% of Michigan’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.
School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within MI. Ratings are from neighbors.
Plainwell’s library
Library details →Where Plainwell is
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