Caro city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Caro city, Michigan has a total population of 4,284, the 198th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $41,940, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.7% is notably above the national average.
Caro city Quick Facts
How Caro city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Caro city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Tuscola County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vassar city | 2,704 | $61,827 | 14.3% | $134,600 |
Cities Similar to Caro city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaylord city | 4,307 | $44,052 | $170,300 | 20.8% | 9.8% |
| Algonac city | 4,152 | $49,738 | $177,200 | 16.0% | 17.7% |
| Cheboygan city | 4,801 | $41,338 | $118,700 | 16.9% | 19.0% |
| Buchanan city | 4,259 | $54,068 | $138,400 | 14.7% | 6.7% |
| Vandercook Lake CDP | 4,434 | $52,337 | $125,800 | 17.7% | 10.5% |
Population Overview
Caro city is a small community located in Michigan, within Tuscola County. The total population is 4,284. It ranks as the 198th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Caro city is 40.6 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Caro city is $41,940. This is 41% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 47% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.7%. This is 104% 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 11.7%. This is 101% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $102,200. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Caro city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Caro city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.6%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 5.7%.
Education
15.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Caro 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Caro city, Michigan?
Caro city, Michigan has a population of 4,284 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Caro city, MI?
The median household income in Caro city is $41,940, which is 47% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Caro city, MI?
The poverty rate in Caro city is 26.7%. This means approximately 1,088 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Caro city, Michigan?
Caro city's population is 93.6% White, 1.5% Black, 2.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Caro city, MI?
The median home value in Caro city is $102,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Caro city, Michigan?
15.7% of adults (25+) in Caro city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.