Alpena, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alpena, Michigan had a total population of 10,154, the 100th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $47,545, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
Alpena Quick Facts
How Alpena 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 | 10,034 | 10,154 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $49,243 | $47,545 | No clear change (-3.4%) |
| Median home value¹ | $91,811 | $118,700 | +29.3% |
| Median gross rent | $763 | $625 | -18.1% |
How Alpena 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: 90.8%
- Black: 2.1%
- Hispanic: 3.4%
- Asian: 0.0%
- 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: 8.4%
- HS Diploma: 34.1%
- Some College: 23.1%
- Associate's: 18.1%
- Bachelor's: 9.0%
- Graduate+: 7.1%
Alpena Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Alpena County
Cities Similar to Alpena
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac | 10,445 | $51,773 | $134,300 | 22.1% | 18.2% |
| Howell | 10,021 | $60,449 | $265,600 | 31.2% | 7.7% |
| Alma | 9,396 | $53,307 | $115,900 | 28.0% | 21.7% |
| Comstock Park | 10,577 | $59,984 | $235,300 | 26.1% | 11.8% |
| Lapeer | 9,082 | $52,716 | $178,400 | 16.5% | 24.5% |
Population Overview
Alpena is a small city located in Michigan, within Alpena County. The total population is 10,154. It ranks as the 100th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alpena is 46.0 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 11.2% 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 is $47,545. This is 35% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.2%. This is 61% 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 6.3%. This is 11% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $118,700. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Alpena is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Alpena has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%. The Black or African American population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
16.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alpena, 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 Alpena, Michigan?
Alpena, Michigan has a population of 10,154 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alpena, MI?
The median household income in Alpena is $47,545, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alpena, MI?
The poverty rate in Alpena is 21.2%. This means approximately 2,104 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alpena, Michigan?
Alpena's population is 90.8% White, 2.1% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alpena, MI?
The median home value in Alpena is $118,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Alpena, Michigan?
16.2% of adults (25+) in Alpena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.