Clare, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clare, Michigan had a total population of 3,324, the 225th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $41,226, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Clare Quick Facts
How Clare 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 | 3,341 | 3,324 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $43,105 | $41,226 | -4.4% |
| Median home value | $124,800 | $134,600 | +7.9% |
How Clare 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+)
Clare Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Clare County
Cities Similar to Clare
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paw Paw | 3,289 | $41,587 | $148,200 | 15.4% | 21.9% |
| Gladwin | 3,098 | $43,005 | $126,900 | 14.6% | 17.4% |
| Skidway Lake | 3,008 | $39,265 | $59,100 | 7.5% | 37.9% |
| Bad Axe | 2,992 | $44,688 | $125,200 | 22.1% | 20.2% |
| Corunna | 3,037 | $46,141 | $151,000 | 14.2% | 14.8% |
Population Overview
Clare is a small community located in Michigan, within Clare County. The total population is 3,324. It ranks as the 225th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clare is 43.9 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 10.9% 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 Clare is $41,226. This is 43% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.9%. This is 43% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $134,600. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 59.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Clare has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.2%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
21.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 91.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clare, 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 Clare, Michigan?
Clare, Michigan has a population of 3,324 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clare, MI?
The median household income in Clare is $41,226, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clare, MI?
The poverty rate in Clare is 18.9%. This means approximately 614 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clare, Michigan?
Clare's population is 91.0% White, 0.9% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clare, MI?
The median home value in Clare is $134,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Clare, Michigan?
21.9% of adults (25+) in Clare hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.