Belding, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Belding, Michigan had a total population of 5,960, the 159th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $60,373, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Belding Quick Facts
How Belding 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 | 5,949 | 5,960 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $55,895 | $60,373 | +8.0% |
| Median home value | $152,700 | $163,800 | +7.3% |
How Belding 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+)
Belding Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Ionia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ionia | 12,753 | $63,978 | 12.0% | $164,800 |
| Portland | 3,790 | $65,845 | 7.3% | $166,200 |
| Lake Odessa | 2,155 | $62,813 | 13.5% | $148,600 |
| Saranac | 2,013 | $66,944 | 15.3% | $202,800 |
| Lyons | 896 | $68,603 | 12.2% | $121,500 |
| Muir | 490 | $46,771 | 14.1% | $143,100 |
| Pewamo | 439 | $72,500 | 6.6% | $189,400 |
| Clarksville | 417 | $75,625 | 9.3% | $173,000 |
| Palo | 375 | $34,489 | 20.3% | $94,300 |
Cities Similar to Belding
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holly | 5,964 | $64,305 | $192,300 | 21.6% | 8.5% |
| Richmond | 5,855 | $64,719 | $237,700 | 25.1% | 13.5% |
| Manistee | 6,275 | $60,541 | $164,100 | 23.1% | 16.8% |
| Swartz Creek | 5,853 | $71,571 | $174,200 | 22.1% | 10.9% |
| Ishpeming | 6,181 | $52,754 | $111,900 | 27.0% | 18.7% |
Population Overview
Belding is a small city located in Michigan, within Ionia County. The total population is 5,960. It ranks as the 159th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Belding is 38.0 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Belding is $60,373. This is 17% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.5%. This is 17% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $163,800. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Belding is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Belding is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.1%. The Black or African American population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
16.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 88.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Belding, 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 Belding, Michigan?
Belding, Michigan has a population of 5,960 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Belding, MI?
The median household income in Belding is $60,373, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Belding, MI?
The poverty rate in Belding is 15.5%. This means approximately 893 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Belding, Michigan?
Belding's population is 81.8% White, 2.9% Black, 8.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Belding, MI?
The median home value in Belding is $163,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Belding, Michigan?
16.8% of adults (25+) in Belding hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.