Chelsea, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chelsea, Michigan had a total population of 5,426, the 170th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $72,098, which is 1% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.1% — among the lowest in Michigan.
- 51.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Michigan.
Chelsea Quick Facts
How Chelsea 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 | 5,420 | 5,426 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $71,702 | $72,098 | +0.6% |
| Median home value | $301,100 | $312,700 | +3.9% |
How Chelsea 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+)
Chelsea Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Washtenaw County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | 122,036 | $82,212 | 23.8% | $453,400 |
| Ypsilanti | 19,857 | $46,588 | 24.8% | $232,700 |
| Saline | 9,006 | $88,346 | 5.8% | $341,300 |
| Whitmore Lake | 7,878 | $86,779 | 5.0% | $287,700 |
| Milan | 5,987 | $96,949 | 10.4% | $247,100 |
| Dexter | 4,521 | $106,637 | 0.8% | $421,000 |
| Manchester | 2,522 | $87,614 | 7.3% | $232,000 |
| Barton Hills | 430 | $250,000+ | 0.5% | $1,410,000 |
Cities Similar to Chelsea
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comstock Northwest | 5,391 | $73,475 | $261,100 | 38.1% | 6.9% |
| St. Clair | 5,585 | $69,688 | $223,200 | 27.4% | 7.1% |
| Swartz Creek | 5,853 | $71,571 | $174,200 | 22.1% | 10.9% |
| Petoskey | 5,856 | $74,196 | $364,100 | 53.4% | 9.0% |
| Dundee | 5,744 | $78,837 | $257,300 | 34.4% | 5.2% |
Population Overview
Chelsea is a small city located in Michigan, within Washtenaw County. The total population is 5,426. It ranks as the 170th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chelsea is 51.2 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 19.8% 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 Chelsea is $72,098. This is 1% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.1%. This is 69% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $312,700. Housing costs are 35% higher than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 63.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Chelsea has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.9%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
51.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Chelsea in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 60% higher 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 98.3%. Notably, 26.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chelsea, 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 Chelsea, Michigan?
Chelsea, Michigan has a population of 5,426 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chelsea, MI?
The median household income in Chelsea is $72,098, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chelsea, MI?
The poverty rate in Chelsea is 4.1%. This means approximately 215 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chelsea, Michigan?
Chelsea's population is 95.7% White, 0.9% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chelsea, MI?
The median home value in Chelsea is $312,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Chelsea, Michigan?
51.8% of adults (25+) in Chelsea hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.