Bad Axe, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bad Axe, Michigan had a total population of 2,992, the 237th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $44,688, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Bad Axe Quick Facts
How Bad Axe 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 | 2,948 | 2,992 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $48,292 | $44,688 | No clear change (-7.5%) |
| Median home value¹ | $103,749 | $125,200 | +20.7% |
| Median gross rent | $750 | $742 | No clear change (-1.0%) |
How Bad Axe 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: 86.0%
- Black: 0.6%
- Hispanic: 7.8%
- Asian: 1.9%
- 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: 12.8%
- HS Diploma: 32.1%
- Some College: 24.2%
- Associate's: 8.8%
- Bachelor's: 15.1%
- Graduate+: 7.0%
Bad Axe Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Huron County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sebewaing | 1,850 | $48,125 | 13.1% | $98,700 |
| Harbor Beach | 1,582 | $40,809 | 16.3% | $116,600 |
| Pigeon | 1,100 | $52,361 | 8.8% | $120,000 |
| Ubly | 785 | $54,886 | 19.0% | $111,700 |
| Elkton | 750 | $48,654 | 23.0% | $92,300 |
| Port Austin | 699 | $60,288 | 20.8% | $159,100 |
| Caseville | 634 | $55,729 | 6.5% | $178,300 |
| Bay Port | 474 | $48,333 | 9.8% | $118,000 |
| Kinde | 414 | $49,886 | 10.7% | $94,800 |
| Port Hope | 268 | $51,563 | 17.2% | $88,700 |
Cities Similar to Bad Axe
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Helen | 2,929 | $44,871 | $95,600 | 10.8% | 32.8% |
| Corunna | 3,037 | $46,141 | $151,000 | 14.2% | 14.8% |
| Fowlerville | 2,918 | $45,773 | $192,000 | 13.9% | 14.1% |
| Gladwin | 3,098 | $43,005 | $126,900 | 14.6% | 17.4% |
| Skidway Lake | 3,008 | $39,265 | $59,100 | 7.5% | 37.9% |
Population Overview
Bad Axe is a small community located in Michigan, within Huron County. The total population is 2,992. It ranks as the 237th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bad Axe is 48.6 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 11.7% 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 Bad Axe is $44,688. This is 39% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.2%. This is 53% 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 5.6%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $125,200. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Bad Axe is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bad Axe has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.8%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 13.1%.
Education
22.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 87.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bad Axe, 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 Bad Axe, Michigan?
Bad Axe, Michigan has a population of 2,992 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bad Axe, MI?
The median household income in Bad Axe is $44,688, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bad Axe, MI?
The poverty rate in Bad Axe is 20.2%. This means approximately 575 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bad Axe, Michigan?
Bad Axe's population is 86.0% White, 0.6% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bad Axe, MI?
The median home value in Bad Axe is $125,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Bad Axe, Michigan?
22.1% of adults (25+) in Bad Axe hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.