Grayling, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Grayling, Michigan had a total population of 1,671, the 339th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $32,545, which is 55% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 55% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Grayling Quick Facts
How Grayling Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,981 | 1,671 | No clear change (-15.6%) |
| Median household income | $33,075 | $32,545 | No clear change (-1.6%) |
| Median home value¹ | $91,319 | $160,800 | +76.1% |
| Median gross rent | $781 | $788 | No clear change (+0.8%) |
How Grayling 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: 91.4%
- Black: 0.9%
- Hispanic: 5.8%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
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: 15.2%
- HS Diploma: 33.2%
- Some College: 30.6%
- Associate's: 6.5%
- Bachelor's: 9.3%
- Graduate+: 5.1%
Grayling Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Cities Similar to Grayling
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownlee Park | 1,661 | $31,969 | $83,700 | 11.6% | 42.1% |
| Evart | 1,667 | $34,318 | $105,500 | 13.1% | 35.1% |
| Standish | 1,554 | $35,395 | $97,900 | 13.7% | 20.1% |
| Au Sable | 1,643 | $42,431 | $113,600 | 10.8% | 13.5% |
| Harbor Beach | 1,582 | $40,809 | $116,600 | 19.4% | 16.3% |
Population Overview
Grayling is a small community located in Michigan, within Crawford County. The total population is 1,671. It ranks as the 339th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Grayling is 43.4 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 15.1% 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 Grayling is $32,545. This is 55% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 60% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.9%. This is 141% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $160,800. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 42.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Grayling has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.8%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 13.1%.
Education
14.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 84.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Grayling, 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 Grayling, Michigan?
Grayling, Michigan has a population of 1,671 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Grayling, MI?
The median household income in Grayling is $32,545, which is 60% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Grayling, MI?
The poverty rate in Grayling is 31.9%. This means approximately 494 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Grayling, Michigan?
Grayling's population is 91.4% White, 0.9% Black, 5.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Grayling, MI?
The median home value in Grayling is $160,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Grayling, Michigan?
14.4% of adults (25+) in Grayling hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.