Hartford, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hartford, Michigan had a total population of 2,458, the 277th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $42,171, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 6.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
Hartford Quick Facts
How Hartford 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 | 2,312 | 2,458 | +6.3% |
| Median household income | $39,868 | $42,171 | +5.8% |
| Median home value | $95,200 | $108,700 | +14.2% |
How Hartford 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+)
Hartford Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Van Buren County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paw Paw | 3,289 | $41,587 | 21.9% | $148,200 |
| Mattawan | 2,692 | $61,587 | 12.1% | $181,600 |
| Bangor | 2,129 | $49,764 | 19.9% | $111,200 |
| Lawton | 2,104 | $52,652 | 19.3% | $171,100 |
| Decatur | 1,835 | $61,806 | 19.7% | $137,500 |
| Lawrence | 942 | $36,058 | 28.9% | $133,900 |
| Gobles | 595 | $44,250 | 22.8% | $104,200 |
| Bloomingdale | 522 | $66,250 | 23.8% | $117,500 |
| Breedsville | 288 | $98,750 | 4.9% | $217,200 |
Cities Similar to Hartford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newaygo | 2,512 | $40,689 | $115,200 | 10.5% | 19.9% |
| East Tawas | 2,675 | $42,450 | $130,200 | 21.1% | 15.7% |
| Charlevoix | 2,392 | $47,917 | $331,500 | 39.8% | 24.8% |
| West Branch | 2,225 | $41,250 | $147,800 | 21.7% | 23.1% |
| Trowbridge Park | 2,396 | $50,125 | $239,600 | 29.4% | 11.7% |
Population Overview
Hartford is a small community located in Michigan, within Van Buren County. The total population is 2,458. It ranks as the 277th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hartford is 29.7 years. This is 26% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 31.8% of the population under 18, Hartford has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hartford is $42,171. This is 42% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.3%. This is 23% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 8.3%. This is 45% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $108,700. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Hartford is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hartford is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 34.8%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (34.8% vs 5.9%).
Education
6.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 79% 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 81.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hartford, 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 Hartford, Michigan?
Hartford, Michigan has a population of 2,458 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hartford, MI?
The median household income in Hartford is $42,171, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hartford, MI?
The poverty rate in Hartford is 16.3%. This means approximately 393 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hartford, Michigan?
Hartford's population is 57.8% White, 1.1% Black, 34.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hartford, MI?
The median home value in Hartford is $108,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Hartford, Michigan?
6.9% of adults (25+) in Hartford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.