Hancock, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hancock, Michigan had a total population of 4,574, the 188th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $59,519, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Hancock Quick Facts
How Hancock 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 | 4,510 | 4,574 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $55,278 | $59,519 | +7.7% |
| Median home value | $185,700 | $165,600 | -10.8% |
How Hancock 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+)
Hancock Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Houghton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houghton | 8,474 | $43,456 | 40.1% | $254,500 |
| Laurium | 1,509 | $54,167 | 16.0% | $126,100 |
| Dollar Bay | 1,049 | $61,250 | 13.5% | $153,100 |
| Lake Linden | 1,020 | $43,472 | 13.8% | $97,000 |
| Chassell | 899 | $54,148 | 17.0% | $167,600 |
| Hubbell | 881 | $53,333 | 4.4% | $85,400 |
| Calumet | 645 | $26,667 | 42.6% | $84,400 |
| Atlantic Mine | 491 | $55,481 | 16.5% | $103,500 |
| South Range | 482 | $58,542 | 23.6% | $101,100 |
| Painesdale | 416 | $63,750 | 13.3% | $92,800 |
Cities Similar to Hancock
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fremont | 4,568 | $57,452 | $194,700 | 29.4% | 8.7% |
| Vandercook Lake | 4,375 | $59,262 | $136,600 | 18.7% | 7.0% |
| Sparta | 4,271 | $60,728 | $215,400 | 23.3% | 9.3% |
| Wolf Lake | 4,654 | $51,637 | $131,400 | 2.1% | 14.1% |
| Negaunee | 4,656 | $70,568 | $170,100 | 33.1% | 12.4% |
Population Overview
Hancock is a small community located in Michigan, within Houghton County. The total population is 4,574. It ranks as the 188th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hancock is 31.9 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 14.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.1% 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 Hancock is $59,519. This is 18% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.1%. This is 45% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 1.8%. This is 69% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $165,600. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Hancock is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hancock has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.6%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
44.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 97.8%. Notably, 16.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hancock, 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 Hancock, Michigan?
Hancock, Michigan has a population of 4,574 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hancock, MI?
The median household income in Hancock is $59,519, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hancock, MI?
The poverty rate in Hancock is 19.1%. This means approximately 781 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hancock, Michigan?
Hancock's population is 93.2% White, 1.0% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hancock, MI?
The median home value in Hancock is $165,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Hancock, Michigan?
44.6% of adults (25+) in Hancock hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.