Ferndale city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Ferndale city, Michigan has a total population of 19,156, the 62nd largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $91,732, which is 29% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.9%.
Key Takeaways
- 56.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Michigan.
Ferndale city Quick Facts
How Ferndale city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ferndale city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Oakland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy city | 87,307 | $119,299 | 5.3% | $396,800 |
| Farmington Hills city | 83,316 | $101,863 | 6.3% | $333,200 |
| Rochester Hills city | 76,086 | $119,054 | 4.9% | $377,400 |
| Southfield city | 76,025 | $65,848 | 11.2% | $226,900 |
| Novi city | 66,224 | $110,938 | 4.7% | $399,100 |
| Pontiac city | 61,914 | $42,791 | 25.6% | $110,600 |
| Royal Oak city | 57,880 | $95,182 | 5.9% | $305,900 |
| Oak Park city | 29,370 | $65,882 | 14.2% | $198,500 |
| Madison Heights city | 28,411 | $66,726 | 11.3% | $190,300 |
| Auburn Hills city | 24,911 | $78,727 | 11.2% | $233,900 |
Cities Similar to Ferndale city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haslett CDP | 19,025 | $74,164 | $269,200 | 58.0% | 10.0% |
| Trenton city | 18,242 | $78,565 | $202,400 | 27.0% | 7.2% |
| Jenison CDP | 17,334 | $86,063 | $257,600 | 32.6% | 4.8% |
| Cutlerville CDP | 19,465 | $65,833 | $200,900 | 23.4% | 10.7% |
| Grandville city | 16,135 | $78,551 | $251,100 | 41.0% | 6.4% |
Population Overview
Ferndale city is a small city located in Michigan, within Oakland County. The total population is 19,156. It ranks as the 62nd most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ferndale city is 35.6 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. Only 11.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ferndale city is $91,732. This is 29% higher than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 17% higher. The poverty rate stands at 7.9%. This is 39% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $233,600. Housing costs are 7% higher than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Ferndale city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ferndale city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.9% 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 13.2%.
Education
56.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Ferndale city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 78% higher 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 96.0%. Notably, 20.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ferndale 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 Ferndale city, Michigan?
Ferndale city, Michigan has a population of 19,156 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ferndale city, MI?
The median household income in Ferndale city is $91,732, which is 17% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Ferndale city, MI?
The poverty rate in Ferndale city is 7.9%. This means approximately 1,516 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ferndale city, Michigan?
Ferndale city's population is 80.9% White, 5.6% Black, 5.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ferndale city, MI?
The median home value in Ferndale city is $233,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Ferndale city, Michigan?
56.5% of adults (25+) in Ferndale city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.