Gaylord, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gaylord, Michigan had a total population of 4,357, the 197th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $44,701, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Gaylord Quick Facts
How Gaylord 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 | 4,307 | 4,357 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $44,052 | $44,701 | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $170,300 | $192,800 | +13.2% |
How Gaylord 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+)
Gaylord Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Otsego County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt | 341 | $53,958 | 9.1% | $121,200 |
Cities Similar to Gaylord
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caro | 4,290 | $41,595 | $102,700 | 16.4% | 28.7% |
| Cheboygan | 4,820 | $42,290 | $123,200 | 18.8% | 14.9% |
| Wolf Lake | 4,654 | $51,637 | $131,400 | 2.1% | 14.1% |
| Vandercook Lake | 4,375 | $59,262 | $136,600 | 18.7% | 7.0% |
| Buchanan | 4,223 | $56,163 | $154,300 | 13.1% | 7.1% |
Population Overview
Gaylord is a small community located in Michigan, within Otsego County. The total population is 4,357. It ranks as the 197th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gaylord is 40.0 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.2 years. 10.3% 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 Gaylord is $44,701. This is 39% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.0%. This is 39% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $192,800. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 30.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 58% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Gaylord has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.8% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.2%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
24.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 91.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gaylord, 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 Gaylord, Michigan?
Gaylord, Michigan has a population of 4,357 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gaylord, MI?
The median household income in Gaylord is $44,701, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gaylord, MI?
The poverty rate in Gaylord is 8.0%. This means approximately 339 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gaylord, Michigan?
Gaylord's population is 93.8% White, 0.8% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gaylord, MI?
The median home value in Gaylord is $192,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Gaylord, Michigan?
24.7% of adults (25+) in Gaylord hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.