Highland Park, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Highland Park, Michigan had a total population of 8,628, the 117th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $29,309, which is 60% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 40.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 60% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (40.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 18.7% is notably above the national average.
Highland Park Quick Facts
How Highland Park 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 | 8,798 | 8,628 | -1.9% |
| Median household income | $27,582 | $29,309 | +6.3% |
| Median home value | $75,800 | $79,200 | +4.5% |
How Highland Park 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+)
Highland Park 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 Highland Park
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton Harbor | 8,953 | $31,117 | $76,500 | 7.4% | 40.1% |
| Beecher | 8,412 | $37,515 | $51,500 | 5.2% | 31.3% |
| Ecorse | 9,064 | $40,241 | $65,400 | 8.4% | 29.4% |
| Houghton | 8,474 | $43,456 | $254,500 | 68.6% | 40.1% |
| Big Rapids | 8,477 | $43,858 | $156,400 | 26.9% | 34.1% |
Population Overview
Highland Park is a small city located in Michigan, within Wayne County. The total population is 8,628. It ranks as the 117th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Highland Park is 42.7 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Highland Park is $29,309. This is 60% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 64% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 40.9%. This is 210% 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 18.7%. This is 228% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $79,200. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Highland Park is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 44.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Highland Park is Black or African American, making up 82.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 11.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (11.2%) is well below the state average of 72.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (82.2% vs 13.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
17.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 84.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Highland Park, 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 Highland Park, Michigan?
Highland Park, Michigan has a population of 8,628 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Highland Park, MI?
The median household income in Highland Park is $29,309, which is 64% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Highland Park, MI?
The poverty rate in Highland Park is 40.9%. This means approximately 3,433 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Highland Park, Michigan?
Highland Park's population is 11.2% White, 82.2% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Highland Park, MI?
The median home value in Highland Park is $79,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Highland Park, Michigan?
17.3% of adults (25+) in Highland Park hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.