Chippewa County, Michigan Demographics 2026
Chippewa County, Michigan has a population of 36,295, the 44th most populous county in Michigan. The median household income is $62,217 and the median home value is $161,900. The poverty rate is 14.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Chippewa County Quick Facts
How Chippewa County 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 | 36,448 | 36,295 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $60,631 | $62,217 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $153,100 | $161,900 | +5.7% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cities & Places in Chippewa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sault Ste. Marie | 13,335 | $55,328 | 17.8% | $139,400 |
| Kincheloe | 2,524 | $57,644 | 25.1% | $110,700 |
| Brimley | 345 | $65,313 | 10.1% | $146,400 |
| De Tour Village | 212 | $48,750 | 9.9% | $237,500 |
Explore Michigan Rankings
Population Overview
Chippewa County is located in Michigan with a total population of 36,295. It is the 44th most populous county out of 83 in Michigan. The county encompasses 4 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chippewa County is 41.6 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chippewa County is $62,217. This is 15% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.0%. This is 6% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $161,900. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Chippewa County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chippewa County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 5.6%. The Black or African American population (5.6%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
23.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 92.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Chippewa County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Michigan and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Chippewa County, Michigan?
Chippewa County has a population of 36,295, making it the 44th most populous county in Michigan.
What is the median income in Chippewa County?
The median household income in Chippewa County is $62,217 with a poverty rate of 14.0%.
How many cities are in Chippewa County, Michigan?
Chippewa County contains 4 Census-designated places.