Harper Woods, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harper Woods, Michigan had a total population of 15,116, the 74th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $65,022, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Harper Woods Quick Facts
How Harper Woods 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 | 15,205 | 15,116 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $61,446 | $65,022 | +5.8% |
| Median home value | $143,600 | $157,200 | +9.5% |
How Harper Woods 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Harper Woods Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | 638,530 | $39,938 | 32.7% | $83,900 |
| Dearborn | 107,423 | $65,324 | 24.3% | $218,800 |
| Livonia | 93,851 | $98,460 | 4.7% | $281,100 |
| Westland | 83,633 | $62,076 | 14.3% | $184,600 |
| Taylor | 62,081 | $61,081 | 18.4% | $152,600 |
| Dearborn Heights | 61,771 | $60,391 | 21.9% | $185,100 |
| Lincoln Park | 39,257 | $58,616 | 21.5% | $131,000 |
| Southgate | 29,366 | $66,118 | 9.4% | $173,600 |
| Allen Park | 27,925 | $81,655 | 6.9% | $183,700 |
| Hamtramck | 27,743 | $39,293 | 39.9% | $131,000 |
Cities Similar to Harper Woods
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazel Park | 14,963 | $67,073 | $158,600 | 27.0% | 12.3% |
| Fraser | 14,583 | $64,354 | $215,900 | 22.7% | 10.4% |
| Traverse City | 15,593 | $74,087 | $415,400 | 47.4% | 12.3% |
| Owosso | 14,632 | $54,229 | $132,600 | 21.1% | 17.2% |
| Mount Clemens | 15,511 | $52,310 | $179,400 | 18.0% | 16.4% |
Population Overview
Harper Woods is a small city located in Michigan, within Wayne County. The total population is 15,116. It ranks as the 74th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harper Woods is 37.1 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 28.1% of the population under 18, Harper Woods has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harper Woods is $65,022. This is 11% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.8%. This is 50% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 7.1%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $157,200. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Harper Woods is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Harper Woods is Black or African American, making up 62.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 29.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (29.2%) is well below the state average of 72.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (62.4% vs 13.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
26.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% 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 91.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harper Woods, 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 Harper Woods, Michigan?
Harper Woods, Michigan has a population of 15,116 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harper Woods, MI?
The median household income in Harper Woods is $65,022, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harper Woods, MI?
The poverty rate in Harper Woods is 19.8%. This means approximately 2,963 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harper Woods, Michigan?
Harper Woods's population is 29.2% White, 62.4% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harper Woods, MI?
The median home value in Harper Woods is $157,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Harper Woods, Michigan?
26.1% of adults (25+) in Harper Woods hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.