Bendon, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026

A note before these figures: with a population of 315, Bendon'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

Bendon is a small community located in Michigan, within Benzie County. The total population is 315. It ranks as the 614th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bendon is 31.6 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 47.9% of the population under 18, Bendon has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 15.2% 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 Bendon is $69,750. This is 4% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.0%. This is 13% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Bendon, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $196,200. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Bendon is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 88.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 73.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

Bendon has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.0%.

Education

3.0% 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 91% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Bendon, 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.