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Highland Park city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 41.2% is well above the state average

As of 2026, Highland Park city, Michigan has a total population of 8,798, the 115th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $27,582, which is 61% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 41.2%.

Key Takeaways

Highland Park city Quick Facts

Population 8,798
Median Household Income $27,582
Median Home Value $75,800
Poverty Rate 41.2%
Unemployment Rate 17.8%
Median Age 45.1 years
Homeownership Rate 45.4%
Affordability Ratio 2.7x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 17.0%
High School Graduation Rate 84.0%
Diversity Index 25/100
Population 8,798 115th of 745
Median Income $27,582 bottom 10%
Poverty Rate 41.2% 231% higher national
Median Home Value $75,800 bottom 10%

How Highland Park city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

17.8% Unemployment Rate State: 5.8% | National: 5.2%
51.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 45.4%
Renter 54.6%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.7x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

25out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 44 | National average: 60

Education

Highland Park city Rankings in Michigan

#115 Population of 745
#725 Median Income of 745
#436 Education of 745
#685 Home Value of 745

Other Cities in Wayne County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Detroit city 636,644 $39,575 31.5% $76,800
Dearborn city 107,846 $65,192 24.3% $205,900
Livonia city 94,058 $96,317 4.7% $265,300
Westland city 84,155 $62,216 13.3% $176,500
Taylor city 62,405 $59,537 16.7% $141,200
Dearborn Heights city 62,099 $61,035 20.4% $174,900
Lincoln Park city 39,511 $57,183 22.1% $117,400
Southgate city 29,551 $64,635 9.8% $165,400
Allen Park city 28,128 $80,045 6.0% $174,500
Hamtramck city 27,830 $40,103 38.2% $116,400

Cities Similar to Highland Park city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Benton Harbor city9,023$29,652$75,5007.8%41.9%
Beecher CDP8,507$35,582$48,4005.8%33.4%
Houghton city8,341$35,417$233,70065.6%34.9%
Muskegon Heights city9,902$33,780$55,8007.1%37.1%
Ecorse city9,170$45,082$59,4008.8%24.0%

Population Overview

Highland Park city is a small city located in Michigan, within Wayne County. The total population is 8,798. It ranks as the 115th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.

Age Demographics

The median age in Highland Park city is 45.1 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Highland Park city is $27,582. This is 61% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 65% lower. The poverty rate stands at 41.2%. This is 215% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. 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 17.8%. This is 207% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $75,800. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Highland Park city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 45.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 72.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Highland Park city has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 85.8% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 9.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (9.2%) is well below the state average of 73.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (85.8% vs 13.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.7%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.

Education

17.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Highland Park city, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Highland Park city, Michigan?

Highland Park city, Michigan has a population of 8,798 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Highland Park city, MI?

The median household income in Highland Park city is $27,582, which is 65% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Highland Park city, MI?

The poverty rate in Highland Park city is 41.2%. This means approximately 3,508 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Highland Park city, Michigan?

Highland Park city's population is 9.2% White, 85.8% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.

What is the median home value in Highland Park city, MI?

The median home value in Highland Park city is $75,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.

How educated is Highland Park city, Michigan?

17.0% of adults (25+) in Highland Park city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.