East Tawas city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

East Tawas city is a small community located in Michigan, within Iosco County. The total population is 2,686. It ranks as the 259th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.

Age Demographics

The median age in East Tawas city is 57.7 years. This is 44% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. Only 12.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.1% 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 East Tawas city is $41,619. This is 42% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 47% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.5%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. The unemployment rate is 8.1%. This is 40% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $114,400. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, East Tawas city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 72.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

East Tawas city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.5%. The Black or African American population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.7%.

Education

19.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 95.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for East Tawas 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.