Ferndale, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ferndale, Michigan had a total population of 19,190, the 61st largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $94,640, which is 30% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.0%.
Key Takeaways
- 57.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Michigan.
Ferndale Quick Facts
How Ferndale 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 | 19,156 | 19,190 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $91,732 | $94,640 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $233,600 | $247,700 | +6.0% |
How Ferndale Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 80.0%
- Black: 6.4%
- Hispanic: 4.7%
- Asian: 3.0%
- Other: 1.4%
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+)
- < High School: 3.7%
- HS Diploma: 14.6%
- Some College: 17.4%
- Associate's: 6.4%
- Bachelor's: 36.4%
- Graduate+: 21.6%
Ferndale Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Oakland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | 87,898 | $120,045 | 5.4% | $420,300 |
| Farmington Hills | 83,515 | $104,836 | 7.6% | $354,500 |
| Rochester Hills | 77,089 | $120,694 | 5.2% | $409,800 |
| Southfield | 76,236 | $68,166 | 10.3% | $236,200 |
| Novi | 66,717 | $110,723 | 5.4% | $421,900 |
| Pontiac | 62,104 | $44,329 | 24.4% | $121,700 |
| Royal Oak | 57,950 | $101,109 | 6.2% | $328,700 |
| Oak Park | 29,318 | $71,510 | 12.0% | $212,300 |
| Madison Heights | 28,419 | $69,503 | 10.8% | $199,100 |
| Auburn Hills | 25,105 | $84,375 | 11.1% | $245,000 |
Cities Similar to Ferndale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jenison | 17,582 | $89,593 | $281,600 | 35.1% | 3.7% |
| Trenton | 18,125 | $82,212 | $210,600 | 27.5% | 5.5% |
| Haslett | 18,559 | $74,031 | $286,100 | 57.1% | 10.4% |
| Cutlerville | 18,780 | $67,327 | $222,600 | 24.0% | 10.3% |
| Grandville | 16,356 | $78,442 | $271,300 | 40.6% | 7.3% |
Population Overview
Ferndale is a small city located in Michigan, within Oakland County. The total population is 19,190. It ranks as the 61st most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ferndale is 37.3 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 9.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ferndale is $94,640. This is 30% higher than the state median of $72,875. It is also 17% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.0%. This is 32% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $247,700. Housing costs are 7% higher than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Ferndale is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ferndale is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.4%. The Black or African American population (6.4%) is well below the state average of 13.1%.
Education
57.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Ferndale in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 78% higher 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 96.3%. Notably, 21.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ferndale, 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.
Free data download: Get all Michigan city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ferndale, Michigan?
Ferndale, Michigan has a population of 19,190 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ferndale, MI?
The median household income in Ferndale is $94,640, which is 17% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ferndale, MI?
The poverty rate in Ferndale is 9.0%. This means approximately 1,728 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ferndale, Michigan?
Ferndale's population is 80.0% White, 6.4% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ferndale, MI?
The median home value in Ferndale is $247,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Ferndale, Michigan?
57.9% of adults (25+) in Ferndale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.