Alger County, Michigan Demographics 2026
Alger County, Michigan has a population of 8,762, the 77th most populous county in Michigan. The median household income is $61,286 and the median home value is $176,200. The poverty rate is 10.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Alger County Quick Facts
How Alger County Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,813 | 8,762 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $59,406 | $61,286 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $165,700 | $176,200 | +6.3% |
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cities & Places in Alger County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munising | 1,975 | $59,808 | 4.2% | $117,300 |
| Grand Marais | 153 | $49,625 | 0.0% | $166,700 |
| Chatham | 135 | $48,438 | 15.7% | $131,300 |
Explore Michigan Rankings
Population Overview
Alger County is located in Michigan with a total population of 8,762. It is the 77th most populous county out of 83 in Michigan. The county encompasses 3 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alger County is 49.1 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 14.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alger County is $61,286. This is 16% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.4%. This is 22% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $176,200. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Alger County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 86.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Alger County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 7.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
21.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Alger County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Michigan and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Alger County, Michigan?
Alger County has a population of 8,762, making it the 77th most populous county in Michigan.
What is the median income in Alger County?
The median household income in Alger County is $61,286 with a poverty rate of 10.4%.
How many cities are in Alger County, Michigan?
Alger County contains 3 Census-designated places.