Alpha, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alpha, Michigan had a total population of 215, the 672nd largest village in Michigan, with a median household income of $39,115, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.9x.
Alpha Quick Facts
How Alpha 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 | 222 | 215 | -3.2% |
| Median household income | $38,879 | $39,115 | +0.6% |
| Median home value | $33,300 | $34,100 | +2.4% |
How Alpha Compares
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+)
Alpha Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Iron County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron River | 3,002 | $54,183 | 20.6% | $85,000 |
| Crystal Falls | 1,719 | $60,865 | 20.9% | $83,300 |
| Caspian | 600 | $32,794 | 35.3% | $79,100 |
| Gaastra | 296 | $47,708 | 29.1% | $49,200 |
| Amasa | 253 | $40,764 | 17.4% | $85,400 |
Cities Similar to Alpha
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverdale | 216 | N/A | $90,500 | 16.5% | 40.3% |
| Falmouth | 222 | N/A | $145,000 | 15.2% | 9.0% |
| Marenisco | 223 | $39,375 | $47,500 | 19.9% | 17.0% |
| Elm Hall | 228 | N/A | $75,000 | 2.0% | 58.9% |
| Lincoln | 225 | $37,679 | $125,000 | 13.2% | 28.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 215, Alpha's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Alpha is a small community located in Michigan, within Iron County. The total population is 215. It ranks as the 672nd most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alpha is 58.7 years. This is 46% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 3.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alpha is $39,115. This is 46% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.4%. This is 62% 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 2.9%. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $34,100. Housing costs are 85% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.9x, Alpha is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 87.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Alpha has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.3% of all residents.
Education
8.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 75% 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 90.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alpha, 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.
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 Alpha, Michigan?
Alpha, Michigan has a population of 215 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alpha, MI?
The median household income in Alpha is $39,115, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alpha, MI?
The poverty rate in Alpha is 21.4%. This means approximately 46 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alpha, Michigan?
Alpha's population is 95.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alpha, MI?
The median home value in Alpha is $34,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.9x.
How educated is Alpha, Michigan?
8.1% of adults (25+) in Alpha hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.