Central Lake, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Central Lake, Michigan had a total population of 1,051, the 431st largest village in Michigan, with a median household income of $63,269, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Central Lake Quick Facts
How Central Lake 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 | 976 | 1,051 | +7.7% |
| Median household income | $58,900 | $63,269 | +7.4% |
| Median home value | $152,800 | $167,100 | +9.4% |
How Central Lake 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+)
Central Lake Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Antrim County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Rapids | 1,624 | $70,938 | 3.7% | $393,400 |
| Lakes of the North | 1,524 | $82,188 | 9.3% | $232,100 |
| Mancelona | 1,476 | $51,691 | 16.8% | $131,400 |
| Bellaire | 1,008 | $55,789 | 14.0% | $230,100 |
| Eastport | 311 | $55,761 | 14.8% | $331,300 |
| Alba | 282 | $100,870 | 1.8% | N/A |
| Ellsworth | 265 | $61,000 | 8.7% | $160,200 |
| Alden | 133 | $56,250 | 0.0% | $311,400 |
Cities Similar to Central Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dollar Bay | 1,049 | $61,250 | $153,100 | 23.1% | 13.5% |
| Stevensville | 1,095 | $64,125 | $191,200 | 31.6% | 7.5% |
| Ossineke | 1,019 | $59,583 | $159,200 | 13.3% | 10.0% |
| Au Gres | 1,018 | $67,115 | $159,000 | 21.0% | 13.2% |
| Memphis | 1,064 | $57,222 | $213,300 | 14.9% | 24.7% |
Population Overview
Central Lake is a small community located in Michigan, within Antrim County. The total population is 1,051. It ranks as the 431st most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Central Lake is 35.4 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 31.1% of the population under 18, Central Lake has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 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 Central Lake is $63,269. This is 13% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.7%. This is 34% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $167,100. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Central Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Central Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.1%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
24.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% 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 96.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Central Lake, 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.
Free data download: Get all Michigan city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Central Lake, Michigan?
Central Lake, Michigan has a population of 1,051 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Central Lake, MI?
The median household income in Central Lake is $63,269, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Central Lake, MI?
The poverty rate in Central Lake is 8.7%. This means approximately 91 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Central Lake, Michigan?
Central Lake's population is 97.5% White, 0.1% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Central Lake, MI?
The median home value in Central Lake is $167,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Central Lake, Michigan?
24.3% of adults (25+) in Central Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.