Alpena city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Alpena city, Michigan has a total population of 10,178, the 100th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $47,604, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.8% is notably above the national average.
Alpena city Quick Facts
How Alpena city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Alpena city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Cities Similar to Alpena city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac city | 10,404 | $50,512 | $117,500 | 22.1% | 17.4% |
| Comstock Park CDP | 10,306 | $54,871 | $216,600 | 24.8% | 11.6% |
| Howell city | 10,074 | $57,122 | $240,700 | 27.8% | 7.1% |
| Alma city | 9,421 | $50,506 | $108,100 | 28.5% | 21.9% |
| Ecorse city | 9,170 | $45,082 | $59,400 | 8.8% | 24.0% |
Population Overview
Alpena city is a small city located in Michigan, within Alpena County. The total population is 10,178. It ranks as the 100th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alpena city is 45.2 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. 10.2% 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 Alpena city is $47,604. This is 33% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 39% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.2%. This is 47% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. The unemployment rate is 8.8%. This is 52% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $110,400. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Alpena city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Alpena city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.5%. The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
15.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alpena city, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Michigan city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Alpena city, Michigan?
Alpena city, Michigan has a population of 10,178 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alpena city, MI?
The median household income in Alpena city is $47,604, which is 39% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Alpena city, MI?
The poverty rate in Alpena city is 19.2%. This means approximately 1,908 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alpena city, Michigan?
Alpena city's population is 91.8% White, 1.9% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alpena city, MI?
The median home value in Alpena city is $110,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Alpena city, Michigan?
15.2% of adults (25+) in Alpena city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.