Allendale is a medium-sized town located in the state of Michigan. With a population of 27,073 people and five associated neighborhoods, Allendale is the 52nd largest community in Michigan. Much of the housing stock in Allendale was built relatively recently. The construction of new real estate can often be taken as an indication that the local Allendale economy is robust, and that jobs or other amenities are attracting an influx of new residents. This seems to be the case in Allendale, where the median household income is $68,449.00.

Allendale real estate is some of the most expensive in Michigan, although Allendale house values don't compare to the most expensive real estate in the U.S.

A relatively large number of people in Allendale telecommute to their jobs. Overall, about 8.64% of the workforce works from home. While this may seem like a small number, as a fraction of the total workforce it ranks among the highest in the country. These workers are often telecommuters who work in knowledge-based, white-collar professions. For example, Silicon Valley has large numbers of people who telecommute. Other at-home workers may be self-employed people who operate small businesses out of their homes.

Allendale is also a major college town with a large number of people who are 18 years or older and attending college. As is often the case in college towns, the many students that live in Allendale have a strong influence on the local culture and entertainment scene, which may seem dormant by comparison in the summer months when much of the student population is away. In the fall, the return of students has a reinvigorating effect on the community. Because colleges are lasting institutions, they have a stabilizing effect on the economy by providing direct local benefits such as jobs for faculty and staff and spending by students. Allendale’s economy is one such example of this.

Allendale, while not large, also appears to be attractive to some younger, educated professionals, who help shape the character of the town.

The citizens of Allendale are among the most well-educated in the nation: 42.88% of adults in Allendale have a bachelor's degree or even advanced degree, whereas the average US city has 21.84% holding at least a bachelor's degree.

The per capita income in Allendale in 2022 was $25,657, which is low income relative to Michigan and the nation. This equates to an annual income of $102,628 for a family of four. However, Allendale contains both very wealthy and poor people as well. Allendale also has one of the higher rates of people living in poverty in the nation, with 30.61% of its population below the federal poverty line.

The people who call Allendale home describe themselves as belonging to a variety of racial and ethnic groups. The greatest number of Allendale residents report their race to be White, followed by Black or African-American. Important ancestries of people in Allendale include German, Dutch, Irish, Polish, and English.

The most common language spoken in Allendale is English. Other important languages spoken here include Polish and Italian.