Battle Creek, MI Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Battle Creek, MI: What You Need to Know

Battle Creek is located on the banks of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo River in southwest Michigan. The city is the birthplace of cornflakes, invented by native son W.K. Kellogg in 1894.

Job Opportunities in Battle Creek, MI

Battle Creek in Calhoun County has thriving food and beverage, automotive, logistics and services, and aviation and defense industries. The global headquarters of Kellogg Co. is in Battle Creek. Other major employers include DENSO Manufacturing Michigan, Firekeepers Casino, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Michigan National Guard, and Meijer Inc. 

Things to Do in Battle Creek, MI

The Firekeepers Casino is a Las Vegas-style complex with a luxury hotel, six restaurants, lounges, and an event center. It’s the primary gaming destination in the Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio region. The casino features 2,900 slot machines, 70 table games, a live poker room, and a bingo room. Bring the family to Binder Zoo Park to see plant and animal species from around the world. The 433-acre zoo is one of the largest in Michigan. Popular features include the International Depot, an immersive tram ride through a savanna setting with animals from Africa, and the unique Binda Conservation Carousel.

Is Battle Creek, MI Budget-Friendly?

Yes. The cost of living rate in Battle Creek, home to 51,093 people, is 10.4% lower than the national average. Likewise, food and housing costs are 34.5% and 36.4% lower than the national average, respectively. The median gross rent is $754. Michigan collects a flat income tax rate of 4.25%, although some cities charge extra. It levies 6% in sales tax. 

How Did Battle Creek, MI Get its Name?

The city got its name from its namesake creek, which was named after a skirmish between land surveyors and Native Americans on the creek’s bank in 1825. The settlement that grew near the creek was originally called Milton, then Garnsey. It was eventually renamed Battle Creek, incorporated in 1859. Before the Civil War, Battle Creek was an important stop on the underground railroad for slaves seeking freedom. About 1,000 slaves passed through Battle Creek.

What’s Battle Creek, MI Known for?

The city is widely associated with the Kellogg brothers. Dr. John Harvey Kellogg ran the Battle Creek Sanitarium and his brother Will Keith Kellogg, a businessman, invented the cornflakes. John advocated “biologic living,” which required vegetarianism and banned stimulants. He employed his methods at the sanitarium. John was the subject of the 1994 film “The Road to Wellville.” Will created cornflakes while experimenting with food products for patients at the sanitarium. He established the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company on Feb. 19, 1906. Today, the company is called Kellogg Co.