Bessemer, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bessemer, Michigan had a total population of 1,733, the 333rd largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $53,523, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x.
Bessemer Quick Facts
How Bessemer 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 | 1,778 | 1,733 | -2.5% |
| Median household income | $50,792 | $53,523 | +5.4% |
| Median home value | $76,100 | $69,900 | -8.1% |
How Bessemer 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+)
Bessemer Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Gogebic County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ironwood | 4,997 | $41,250 | 17.0% | $83,100 |
| Wakefield | 1,683 | $55,759 | 15.0% | $79,100 |
| Ramsay | 312 | $54,643 | 19.9% | $67,700 |
| Watersmeet | 250 | $63,452 | 0.0% | $67,200 |
| Marenisco | 223 | $39,375 | 17.0% | $47,500 |
Cities Similar to Bessemer
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Pigeon | 1,760 | $51,250 | $149,600 | 11.6% | 26.0% |
| L'Anse | 1,790 | $52,317 | $104,100 | 14.9% | 10.8% |
| Wakefield | 1,683 | $55,759 | $79,100 | 13.4% | 15.0% |
| Stony Point | 1,825 | $53,872 | $215,900 | 8.9% | 14.2% |
| Howard City | 1,636 | $54,688 | $151,200 | 7.1% | 23.9% |
Population Overview
Bessemer is a small community located in Michigan, within Gogebic County. The total population is 1,733. It ranks as the 333rd most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bessemer is 48.2 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 14.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bessemer is $53,523. This is 27% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.9%. This is 2% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $69,900. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Bessemer is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bessemer has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.5%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
22.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 96.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bessemer, 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 Bessemer, Michigan?
Bessemer, Michigan has a population of 1,733 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bessemer, MI?
The median household income in Bessemer is $53,523, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bessemer, MI?
The poverty rate in Bessemer is 12.9%. This means approximately 221 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bessemer, Michigan?
Bessemer's population is 88.4% White, 0.6% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bessemer, MI?
The median home value in Bessemer is $69,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Bessemer, Michigan?
22.8% of adults (25+) in Bessemer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.