East Tawas, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East Tawas, Michigan had a total population of 2,675, the 260th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $42,450, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
East Tawas Quick Facts
How East Tawas 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 | 2,686 | 2,675 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $41,619 | $42,450 | +2.0% |
| Median home value | $114,400 | $130,200 | +13.8% |
How East Tawas 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+)
East Tawas Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Iosco County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Au Sable | 1,643 | $42,431 | 13.5% | $113,600 |
| Tawas City | 1,614 | $46,014 | 12.7% | $138,000 |
| Sand Lake | 1,348 | $58,162 | 16.4% | $157,500 |
| Oscoda | 654 | $46,801 | 18.5% | $86,500 |
| Whittemore | 492 | $33,214 | 22.8% | $80,900 |
Cities Similar to East Tawas
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Monroe | 2,711 | $48,317 | $109,200 | 6.0% | 31.8% |
| Newaygo | 2,512 | $40,689 | $115,200 | 10.5% | 19.9% |
| Hartford | 2,458 | $42,171 | $108,700 | 6.9% | 16.3% |
| Manistique | 2,863 | $38,446 | $93,300 | 17.9% | 18.4% |
| Shelby | 2,577 | $49,855 | $155,600 | 14.5% | 20.0% |
Population Overview
East Tawas is a small community located in Michigan, within Iosco County. The total population is 2,675. It ranks as the 260th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in East Tawas is 57.9 years. This is 44% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 12.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 13.0% 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 is $42,450. This is 42% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.7%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $130,200. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 67.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
East Tawas has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.2%. The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
21.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 92.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East Tawas, 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 East Tawas, Michigan?
East Tawas, Michigan has a population of 2,675 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East Tawas, MI?
The median household income in East Tawas is $42,450, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East Tawas, MI?
The poverty rate in East Tawas is 15.7%. This means approximately 419 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East Tawas, Michigan?
East Tawas's population is 89.0% White, 2.2% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in East Tawas, MI?
The median home value in East Tawas is $130,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is East Tawas, Michigan?
21.1% of adults (25+) in East Tawas hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.