Brethren, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brethren, Michigan had a total population of 318, the 612th largest community in Michigan, with a median household income of $52,083, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Brethren Quick Facts
How Brethren 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 | 405 | 318 | -21.5% |
| Median household income | $42,434 | $52,083 | +22.7% |
| Median home value | $104,500 | $152,200 | +45.6% |
How Brethren 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+)
Brethren Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Manistee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manistee | 6,275 | $60,541 | 16.8% | $164,100 |
| Parkdale | 573 | $45,000 | 27.1% | $122,100 |
| Kaleva | 542 | $43,125 | 34.6% | $94,200 |
| Oak Hill | 519 | $59,115 | 2.1% | $126,900 |
| Wellston | 353 | $53,333 | 7.4% | $108,200 |
| Eastlake | 318 | $50,139 | 7.5% | $122,400 |
| Onekama | 305 | $32,969 | 3.6% | $185,300 |
| Bear Lake | 264 | $63,281 | 5.0% | $155,400 |
| Copemish | 255 | $46,250 | 10.2% | $77,400 |
| Filer City | 178 | $47,083 | 2.8% | $96,100 |
Cities Similar to Brethren
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastlake | 318 | $50,139 | $122,400 | 10.5% | 7.5% |
| Big Bay | 306 | $51,953 | $273,100 | 33.5% | 21.3% |
| Ramsay | 312 | $54,643 | $67,700 | 6.6% | 19.9% |
| Gagetown | 311 | $55,000 | $77,100 | 9.8% | 19.0% |
| Glen Arbor | 336 | N/A | $700,000 | 76.8% | 1.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 318, Brethren'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
Brethren is a small community located in Michigan, within Manistee County. The total population is 318. It ranks as the 612th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brethren is 42.2 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. With 29.3% of the population under 18, Brethren has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brethren is $52,083. This is 29% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.2%. This is 38% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Brethren, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $152,200. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Brethren is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 93.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Brethren has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
13.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 92.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brethren, 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 Brethren, Michigan?
Brethren, Michigan has a population of 318 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brethren, MI?
The median household income in Brethren is $52,083, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brethren, MI?
The poverty rate in Brethren is 18.2%. This means approximately 58 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brethren, Michigan?
Brethren's population is 95.3% White, 0.0% Black, 1.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brethren, MI?
The median home value in Brethren is $152,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Brethren, Michigan?
13.5% of adults (25+) in Brethren hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.