Alma, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alma, Michigan had a total population of 9,396, the 106th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $53,307, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Alma Quick Facts
How Alma Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,976 | 9,396 | +4.7% |
| Median household income | $44,808 | $53,307 | No clear change (+19.0%) |
| Median home value¹ | $104,118 | $115,900 | No clear change (+11.3%) |
| Median gross rent | $806 | $836 | No clear change (+3.7%) |
How Alma Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 81.3%
- Black: 1.9%
- Hispanic: 12.9%
- Asian: 1.6%
- Other: 0.0%
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+)
- < High School: 4.9%
- HS Diploma: 35.7%
- Some College: 25.6%
- Associate's: 5.8%
- Bachelor's: 17.2%
- Graduate+: 10.8%
Alma Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Gratiot County
Cities Similar to Alma
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lapeer | 9,082 | $52,716 | $178,400 | 16.5% | 24.5% |
| Charlotte | 9,277 | $62,681 | $153,900 | 18.2% | 11.1% |
| Westwood | 8,867 | $58,205 | $193,400 | 51.0% | 14.1% |
| Center Line | 8,463 | $54,703 | $156,600 | 16.7% | 16.8% |
| Cadillac | 10,445 | $51,773 | $134,300 | 22.1% | 18.2% |
Population Overview
Alma is a small city located in Michigan, within Gratiot County. The total population is 9,396. It ranks as the 106th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alma is 33.1 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alma is $53,307. This is 27% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.7%. This is 64% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.9%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $115,900. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Alma is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Alma is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.9%. The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.9% vs 5.9%). The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
28.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% 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 95.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alma, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Alma, Michigan?
Alma, Michigan has a population of 9,396 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alma, MI?
The median household income in Alma is $53,307, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alma, MI?
The poverty rate in Alma is 21.7%. This means approximately 1,708 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alma, Michigan?
Alma's population is 81.3% White, 1.9% Black, 12.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alma, MI?
The median home value in Alma is $115,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Alma, Michigan?
28.0% of adults (25+) in Alma hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.