Caro, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Caro, Michigan had a total population of 4,290, the 198th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $41,595, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.1% is notably above the national average.
Caro Quick Facts
How Caro Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,054 | 4,290 | +5.8% |
| Median household income | $42,050 | $41,595 | No clear change (-1.1%) |
| Median home value¹ | $95,749 | $102,700 | No clear change (+7.3%) |
| Median gross rent | $858 | $753 | No clear change (-12.2%) |
How Caro Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 92.1%
- Black: 2.7%
- Hispanic: 3.0%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
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+)
- < High School: 9.3%
- HS Diploma: 46.5%
- Some College: 18.0%
- Associate's: 9.8%
- Bachelor's: 10.2%
- Graduate+: 6.2%
Caro Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Tuscola County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vassar | 2,707 | $59,444 | 14.8% | $143,200 |
| Cass City | 2,210 | $53,000 | 21.2% | $113,100 |
| Millington | 1,122 | $56,250 | 18.9% | $118,000 |
| Fostoria | 1,050 | $97,434 | 8.2% | $123,300 |
| Mayville | 1,045 | $52,500 | 16.2% | $121,300 |
| Unionville | 569 | $76,653 | 13.2% | $97,300 |
| Fairgrove | 547 | $42,500 | 7.0% | $78,600 |
| Kingston | 398 | $48,083 | 21.6% | $101,000 |
| Akron | 336 | $50,179 | 27.6% | $82,900 |
| Gagetown | 311 | $55,000 | 19.0% | $77,100 |
Cities Similar to Caro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
Population Overview
Caro is a small community located in Michigan, within Tuscola County. The total population is 4,290. It ranks as the 198th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Caro is 43.6 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 10.1% 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 Caro is $41,595. This is 43% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.7%. This is 117% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 9.1%. This is 59% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $102,700. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Caro is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Caro has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.0%. The Black or African American population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 13.1%.
Education
16.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 90.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Caro, 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 Caro, Michigan?
Caro, Michigan has a population of 4,290 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Caro, MI?
The median household income in Caro is $41,595, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Caro, MI?
The poverty rate in Caro is 28.7%. This means approximately 1,161 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Caro, Michigan?
Caro's population is 92.1% White, 2.7% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Caro, MI?
The median home value in Caro is $102,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Caro, Michigan?
16.4% of adults (25+) in Caro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.