Moving to Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Mount Pleasant, Michigan is located in the middle of the state in Isabella County. It is a small city with a population of about 25,000 people. The geography of Mount Pleasant is mostly flat with rolling hills and farmlands surrounding it. The climate in Mount Pleasant generally tends to be mild and humid with hot summers and cold winters.

The history of Mount Pleasant dates back to 1854 when it was founded by Jacob and John Hanchett. It was originally a trading post for settlers moving into the area and has since grown into what it is today. The politics of Mount Pleasant are largely conservative, leaning Republican in most elections that take place within the city limits.

The economy of Mount Pleasant has been booming over the past few decades due to its proximity to Central Michigan University and local industry such as manufacturing plants and retail stores. Education has been a big part of the city’s success as well, with CMU being one of the top universities in the state and several excellent public schools within its boundaries.

One of the most recognizable landmarks in Mount Pleasant is Central Michigan University’s Kelly/Shorts Stadium which sits on campus just east of downtown. The stadium hosts all home football games for CMU as well as other events throughout the year such as concerts, festivals, fireworks displays, etc. Other notable landmarks include Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort which offers gaming, entertainment, fine dining, shopping and more; Mt Pleasant Discovery Museum which provides hands-on learning experiences for children; Chippewa Nature Center which offers outdoor activities such as hiking trails; and Doherty Hotel which is one of oldest hotels in Michigan still standing today since opening its doors back in 1885.

Population: 25,946. Estimated population in July 2024: 26,253 (+1.2% change)
Males: 11,724 (45.2%), Females: 14,222 (54.8%)

Zip codes: 48858.

Demographics

Median resident age: 21.8 years
Median household income: $24,572
Median house value: $95,500

Population by Race

Races in Mount Pleasant:

  • White Non-Hispanic (88.0%)
  • Black (3.7%)
  • Hispanic (2.5%)
  • American Indian (2.2%)
  • Two or more races (1.8%)
  • Other race (0.9%)
  • Asian Indian (0.7%)
  • Chinese (0.7%)
  • Other Asian (0.5%)

Ancestries: German (26.0%), Irish (12.4%), English (10.6%), Polish (8.8%), French (5.1%), Italian (4.5%).

Land area: 7.8 square miles

Map of Mount Pleasant, MI

Population by Education

Mount Pleasant, Michigan is a small city located in the central part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The city has a population of about 26,000 people and is the county seat of Isabella County. Mount Pleasant is home to Central Michigan University, which has an enrollment of over 20,000 students. The city also has several other colleges and universities in the area, as well as a community college.

The majority of Mount Pleasant’s population is white (86%), with smaller percentages of African Americans (6%), Asians (2%), Hispanics (2%) and Native Americans (1%). In addition to CMU students, the city also attracts a number of retirees who are drawn to its rural setting and relatively low cost of living. The median age for Mount Pleasant residents is 24 years old; about half are younger than 25 years old. The median household income for Mount Pleasant is $45,814; however, this figure can vary significantly depending on where one lives within the city limits. The unemployment rate for Mount Pleasant stands at 4%, which is slightly lower than the national average.

For population 25 years and over in Mount Pleasant

  • High school or higher: 88.2%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 40.3%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 19.3%
  • Unemployed: 9.2%
  • Mean travel time to work: 13.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Mount Pleasant city

  • Never married: 62.7%
  • Now married: 28.2%
  • Separated: 0.6%
  • Widowed: 3.4%
  • Divorced: 5.1%

4.0% Foreign born (2.6% Asia, 0.6% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: +2,719 (+11.7%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Mount Pleasant:

  • CENTRAL MICHIGAN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (1221 SOUTH DRIVE)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Mount Pleasant:

  • MIDMICHIGAN MEDICAL CENTER-CLARE (about 16 miles; CLARE, MI)
  • GRATIOT COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 18 miles; ALMA, MI)
  • CARSON CITY HOSPITAL (about 30 miles; CARSON CITY, MI)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Mount Pleasant:

  • MBS INTL (about 50 miles; SAGINAW, MI; Abbreviation: MBS)
  • CAPITAL CITY (about 59 miles; LANSING, MI; Abbreviation: LAN)
  • GERALD R. FORD INTERNATIONAL (about 72 miles; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; Abbreviation: GRR)

Other public-use airports nearest to Mount Pleasant:

  • MOUNT PLEASANT MUNI (about 4 miles; MOUNT PLEASANT, MI; Abbreviation: MOP)
  • LAKE ISABELLA AIRPARK (about 14 miles; VILLAGE OF LAKE ISABELLA, MI; Abbreviation: D15)
  • WOODRUFF LAKE (about 14 miles; WINN, MI; Abbreviation: 53W)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Mount Pleasant:

  • CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY (about 6 miles; MT PLEASANT, MI; Full-time enrollment: 21,353)
  • NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY (about 35 miles; MIDLAND, MI; Full-time enrollment: 2,784)
  • FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY (about 50 miles; BIG RAPIDS, MI; Full-time enrollment: 8,593)
  • SAGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY (about 55 miles; UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI; Full-time enrollment: 6,216)
  • DELTA COLLEGE (about 55 miles; UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI; Full-time enrollment: 5,117)
  • MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY (about 64 miles; EAST LANSING, MI; Full-time enrollment: 38,639)
  • CALVIN COLLEGE (about 71 miles; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; Full-time enrollment: 4,148)