Detroit city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Detroit city, Michigan has a total population of 636,644, the 1st largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $39,575, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Detroit city is the 1st largest city in Michigan with a population of 636,644.
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 14.1% is notably above the national average.
Detroit city Quick Facts
How Detroit city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Detroit city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dearborn city | 107,846 | $65,192 | 24.3% | $205,900 |
| Livonia city | 94,058 | $96,317 | 4.7% | $265,300 |
| Westland city | 84,155 | $62,216 | 13.3% | $176,500 |
| Taylor city | 62,405 | $59,537 | 16.7% | $141,200 |
| Dearborn Heights city | 62,099 | $61,035 | 20.4% | $174,900 |
| Lincoln Park city | 39,511 | $57,183 | 22.1% | $117,400 |
| Southgate city | 29,551 | $64,635 | 9.8% | $165,400 |
| Allen Park city | 28,128 | $80,045 | 6.0% | $174,500 |
| Hamtramck city | 27,830 | $40,103 | 38.2% | $116,400 |
| Garden City city | 26,910 | $64,396 | 11.3% | $162,400 |
Cities Similar to Detroit city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids city | 197,768 | $65,526 | $225,500 | 40.1% | 18.6% |
| Warren city | 138,128 | $63,741 | $181,900 | 20.4% | 12.8% |
| Lansing city | 112,546 | $52,170 | $119,400 | 29.6% | 19.9% |
| Sterling Heights city | 133,473 | $78,429 | $260,700 | 31.2% | 10.6% |
| Ann Arbor city | 121,179 | $81,089 | $435,100 | 77.7% | 22.9% |
Population Overview
Detroit city is a major urban center located in Michigan, within Wayne County. The total population is 636,644. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Detroit city is 35.1 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Detroit city is $39,575. This is 44% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 50% lower. The poverty rate stands at 31.5%. This is 141% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 14.1%. This is 144% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $76,800. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Detroit city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 49.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Detroit city is Black or African American, making up 76.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 10.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.3%) is well below the state average of 73.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (76.4% vs 13.2%). The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
17.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Detroit city, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Detroit city, Michigan?
Detroit city, Michigan has a population of 636,644 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Detroit city, MI?
The median household income in Detroit city is $39,575, which is 50% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Detroit city, MI?
The poverty rate in Detroit city is 31.5%. This means approximately 197,473 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Detroit city, Michigan?
Detroit city's population is 10.3% White, 76.4% Black, 8.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Detroit city, MI?
The median home value in Detroit city is $76,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Detroit city, Michigan?
17.6% of adults (25+) in Detroit city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.