Chatham, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chatham, Michigan had a total population of 135, the 715th largest village in Michigan, with a median household income of $48,438, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Chatham Quick Facts
How Chatham 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 | 192 | 135 | No clear change (-29.7%) |
| Median household income | $67,005 | $48,438 | No clear change (-27.7%) |
| Median home value¹ | $131,193 | $131,300 | No clear change (+0.1%) |
| Median gross rent | $672 | $713 | No clear change (+6.1%) |
How Chatham 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: 93.3%
- Black: 0.7%
- Hispanic: 1.5%
- 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: 7.0%
- HS Diploma: 46.1%
- Some College: 15.7%
- Associate's: 11.3%
- Bachelor's: 16.5%
- Graduate+: 3.5%
Chatham Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Alger County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munising | 1,975 | $59,808 | 4.2% | $117,300 |
| Grand Marais | 153 | $49,625 | 0.0% | $166,700 |
Cities Similar to Chatham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millersburg | 137 | $53,281 | $84,300 | 12.4% | 36.3% |
| Bergland | 138 | $44,375 | $85,600 | 2.9% | 5.8% |
| Lake Leelanau | 124 | N/A | N/A | 21.7% | 3.2% |
| Alden | 133 | $56,250 | $311,400 | 29.6% | 0.0% |
| Forestville | 136 | $40,938 | $170,800 | 13.5% | 30.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 135, Chatham'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
Chatham is a small community located in Michigan, within Alger County. The total population is 135. It ranks as the 715th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chatham is 62.0 years. This is 54% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 8.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 17.0% 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 Chatham is $48,438. This is 34% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.7%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 6.1%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $131,300. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Chatham is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Chatham has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.5%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
20.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 93.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chatham, 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 Chatham, Michigan?
Chatham, Michigan has a population of 135 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chatham, MI?
The median household income in Chatham is $48,438, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chatham, MI?
The poverty rate in Chatham is 15.7%. This means approximately 21 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chatham, Michigan?
Chatham's population is 93.3% White, 0.7% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chatham, MI?
The median home value in Chatham is $131,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Chatham, Michigan?
20.0% of adults (25+) in Chatham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.