Coldwater ZIP Code List — Branch County, MI

There is one unique ZIP code in Coldwater, Michigan and it is 49036. Area code: 517.

ZIP codes

154.22

sq mi land

7.62

sq mi water

517

area code

Coldwater, MI ZIP code map

About Coldwater, MI

Coldwater is a charming city located in the state of Michigan. It serves as the county seat of Branch County and is known for its picturesque natural surroundings. This vibrant community offers a blend of historical charm and modern amenities, making it an attractive destination for residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Coldwater is situated in south-central Michigan, approximately 30 miles west of Battle Creek and 50 miles south of Lansing. The city covers a total area of 161.84 square miles, which includes 154.22 square miles of land and 7.62 square miles of water. The terrain is characterized by beautiful lakes and parks, contributing to its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.

Community & economy

The character of Coldwater is defined by a close-knit community that values both tradition and progress. Its economy is driven by diverse industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, and retail, providing various job opportunities for residents. Daily life in Coldwater revolves around community events, local shops, and outdoor activities, fostering a strong sense of belonging among its residents.

Transportation

Transportation in Coldwater is facilitated by several key highways, including U.S. Route 12 and Interstate 69, making it easily accessible for travelers. The nearest major airport is Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, which is about 35 miles away, offering regional flights. Public transit options are limited, with most residents relying on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Coldwater was founded in 1830 and quickly became a significant hub due to its strategic location along key trade routes. The city's early economy was bolstered by agriculture and manufacturing, which laid the foundation for growth and development. Notable events in Coldwater's history include its inclusion in the Underground Railroad network during the Civil War era, highlighting its role in social change.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Coldwater is that it is home to the largest lake in Branch County, Coldwater Lake, which spans over 1,600 acres. Additionally, the city hosts the annual Coldwater Bluegrass Festival, attracting music enthusiasts from across the region.

ZIP codes for Coldwater, MI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
49036	Coldwater	Branch	View map

Demographics & statistics

24,990

Population

42.9

Median age

$58,498

Median household income

$29,570

Per capita income

$145,600

Median home value

$918

Median monthly rent

74.9%

Home ownership

16.8%

Poverty rate

5.1%

Unemployment

9,261

Housing units

17.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

739

Under 5

675

676

5–9

617

838

10–14

765

708

15–19

647

786

20–24

718

1,594

25–34

1,455

1,425

35–44

1,302

1,543

45–54

1,409

974

55–59

889

1,088

60–64

993

1,622

65–74

1,481

846

75–84

772

224

85+

204

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	5,227	20.9%
18 and over	19,763	79.1%
65 and over	5,149	20.6%
Median age	42.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 86.3%

Hispanic or Latino 4%

Two or more races 3.4%

Black or African American 3.1%

Other race 2.2%

Asian 0.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	22,444	86.3%
Hispanic or Latino	1,030	4%
Two or more races	887	3.4%
Black or African American	817	3.1%
Other race	567	2.2%
Asian	168	0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	107	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 5.7%

$10k–$15k 3.1%

$15k–$25k 10.3%

$25k–$35k 8.1%

$35k–$50k 15.0%

$50k–$75k 21.2%

$75k–$100k 12.8%

$100k–$150k 15.2%

$150k–$200k 4.5%

$200k+ 4.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.7%
$10k–$15k	3.1%
$15k–$25k	10.3%
$25k–$35k	8.1%
$35k–$50k	15.0%
$50k–$75k	21.2%
$75k–$100k	12.8%
$100k–$150k	15.2%
$150k–$200k	4.5%
$200k+	4.2%
Median income	$58,498

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 12.9%

$50k–$100k 15.8%

$100k–$150k 23.0%

$150k–$200k 15.0%

$200k–$300k 15.0%

$300k–$500k 14.4%

$500k–$1M 3.6%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$145,600
Median rent / month	$918
Owner occupied	74.9%
Renter occupied	25.1%
Vacant	19.8%
Single-family detached	69.1%
Large apartment buildings	2.3%
Mobile homes	15.3%
Median rooms	5.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.51

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	3.6%
2000–2009	10.2%
1990–1999	13.1%
1980–1989	10.2%
1970–1979	16.1%
1960–1969	12.8%
1950–1959	8.5%
1940–1949	4.9%
1939 or earlier	20.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.7%
1 bedroom	6.8%
2 bedrooms	27.6%
3 bedrooms	46.9%
4 bedrooms	13.9%
5+ bedrooms	4.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.7%
1 vehicle	33.6%
2 vehicles	43.3%
3 or more	17.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	69.7%
Electricity	8.1%
Propane / LP gas	14.3%
Fuel oil	2.8%
Wood	3.3%
No fuel used	0.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,432	47.7%
Cohabiting couple	816	8.8%
Male householder, no spouse	1,623	17.5%
Female householder, no spouse	2,428	26.1%
Households with children under 18	2,569	27.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,299	35.5%
Average household size	2.47

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	32.4%	22.8%
Married	46.2%	48.7%
Separated	1.5%	1.4%
Widowed	3.2%	9.2%
Divorced	16.7%	17.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.1%

Some HS, no diploma 5.9%

HS graduate 38.2%

Some college, no degree 23.8%

Associate's degree 9.5%

Bachelor's degree 12.0%

Graduate / professional 5.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.0%
Bachelor's or higher	17.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	340	7.1%
Kindergarten	279	5.8%
Elementary school	2,371	49.6%
High school	1,154	24.1%
College / grad school	639	13.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 24.9%

Education & healthcare 18.4%

Retail trade 10.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.4%

Professional & management 8.3%

Transportation & utilities 8.1%

Other services 4.3%

Construction 3.8%

Finance & real estate 3.8%

Public administration 3.8%

Wholesale trade 2.7%

Agriculture & mining 1.4%

Information 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	26.9%
Service	16.1%
Sales & office	20.4%
Natural resources & construction	8.0%
Production & transportation	28.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.6%
Government	11.6%
Self-employed	7.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.6%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.4%
Carpool	10.9%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	2.2%
Other means	1.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	19.5

Poverty

All people 16.8%

Under 18 years 24.7%

18 and over 14.5%

Married-couple families 8.6%

Female-led households 16.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	37.6%
Retirement income	29.0%
Supplemental Security	4.6%
Cash public assistance	2.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	14.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.3%
High cholesterol	35.0%
Heart disease	7.5%
Stroke	3.5%
Asthma	11.0%
Arthritis	31.8%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	8.9%
Cancer	6.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.7%
No physical activity	23.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	35.4%
Fair or poor health	17.0%
Poor mental health	16.6%
Poor physical health	12.1%
No health insurance	11.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.0%
Visited dentist	63.0%
Cholesterol screening	90.2%
Teeth loss	15.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,431	7.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.3%
Under 18	5.0%
18–64 years	14.0%
65 and over	30.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	65.1%
Public insurance	46.0%
Uninsured under 19	12.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	23,576	94.3%
Spanish	1,344	5.7%
Other Indo-European	481	2.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	50	0.2%
Other languages	5	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	23,223	92.9%
Born in same state	22,770	91.1%
Born in different state	16,296	65.2%
Foreign born	453	1.8%
Naturalized citizen	1,767	7.1%
Not a US citizen	755	42.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	2,953	11.8%
Italian	2,793	11.2%
Arab	1,312	5.3%
English	709	2.8%
German	409	1.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	178	0.7%
Irish	104	0.4%
Dutch	32	0.1%
Norwegian	16	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.2%
Internet access	91.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Coldwater, MI?

Coldwater, MI has one ZIP code: 49036.

What is the main ZIP code for Coldwater, MI?

The primary ZIP code for Coldwater, MI is 49036. The city uses area code 517 for phone service.

What county is Coldwater, MI in?

Coldwater is located in Branch County, Michigan.

How many ZIP codes are in Coldwater, MI?

Coldwater, MI has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code covers downtown Coldwater and the historic Tibbits Opera House area?

Downtown Coldwater, including the Tibbits Opera House located on Chicago Street, is served by ZIP code 49036.

What is the ZIP code for the Coldwater High School area in Branch County?

Coldwater High School and the surrounding residential neighborhoods are located in ZIP code 49036.