Bay City city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Bay City city is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Bay County. The total population is 32,445. It ranks as the 34th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bay City city is 39.7 years. This is about average than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Bay City city is $47,904. 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 21.5%. This is 65% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. 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 6.5%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $89,900. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Bay City city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 72.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Bay City city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.7%. The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (10.7% vs 5.7%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.

Education

18.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 88.6%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Bay City 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.