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Hillsdale, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hillsdale, Michigan had a total population of 8,002, the 125th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $51,038, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.9%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Hillsdale Quick Facts

Population 8,002
Median Household Income $51,038
Median Home Value $130,900
Poverty Rate 22.9%
Unemployment Rate 4.3%
Median Age 29.6 years
Homeownership Rate 53.6%
Affordability Ratio 2.6x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 26.2%
High School Graduation Rate 92.5%
Diversity Index 23/100
Population 8,002 125th of 745
Median Income $51,038 bottom 30%
Poverty Rate 22.9% 84% higher than national
Median Home Value $130,900 below average

How Hillsdale Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population8,0138,002-0.1%
Median household income$47,817$51,038+6.7%
Median home value$131,300$130,900-0.3%

How Hillsdale Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 25.6%
$25K-$50K 23.4%
$50K-$100K 33.1%
$100K+ 17.9%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
6.9%
$10K-$15K
7.9%
$15K-$20K
6.3%
$20K-$25K
4.5%
$25K-$30K
5.1%
$30K-$35K
2.7%
$35K-$40K
2.8%
$40K-$45K
6.2%
$45K-$50K
6.6%
$50K-$60K
7.6%
$60K-$75K
13.5%
$75K-$100K
12.0%
$100K-$125K
9.7%
$125K-$150K
2.3%
$150K-$200K
4.1%
$200K+
1.9%

Employment

4.3% Unemployment Rate State: 5.7%|National: 5.2%
59.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 53.6%
Renter 46.4%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.6x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $812/mo 19.1% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

23out of 100
Very Low Diversity

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

State average: 45 | National average: 61

Education

Hillsdale Rankings in Michigan

#125 Population of 745
#553 Median Income of 732
#266 Education of 745
#492 Home Value of 730

Other Cities in Hillsdale County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Jonesville 2,319 $65,200 17.8% $162,900
Lake LeAnn 1,657 $89,076 4.3% $266,600
Litchfield 1,566 $53,182 11.4% $117,000
Reading 947 $49,342 24.6% $107,800
Pittsford 707 $45,833 24.5% $105,700
Camden 608 $51,250 28.6% $103,100
Waldron 603 $52,750 8.8% $83,700
North Adams 435 $52,813 12.2% $99,500
Montgomery 301 $51,250 38.5% $95,000
Allen 170 $66,111 10.0% $131,300

Cities Similar to Hillsdale

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Three Rivers7,943$49,503$134,90014.2%15.0%
Menominee8,326$49,432$104,40018.7%16.4%
St. Louis7,367$51,167$119,2006.3%13.4%
Ludington7,676$46,411$201,10028.9%22.5%
Center Line8,463$54,703$156,60016.7%16.8%

Population Overview

Hillsdale is a small city located in Michigan, within Hillsdale County. The total population is 8,002. It ranks as the 125th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.

Age Demographics

The median age in Hillsdale is 29.6 years. This is 26% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Hillsdale is $51,038. This is 30% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.9%. This is 73% 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 4.3%. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $130,900. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Hillsdale is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 73.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

Hillsdale has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.8%. The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.

Education

26.2% 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 92.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Hillsdale, 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 Hillsdale, Michigan?

Hillsdale, Michigan has a population of 8,002 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Hillsdale, MI?

The median household income in Hillsdale is $51,038, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Hillsdale, MI?

The poverty rate in Hillsdale is 22.9%. This means approximately 1,521 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Hillsdale, Michigan?

Hillsdale's population is 87.5% White, 1.4% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.

What is the median home value in Hillsdale, MI?

The median home value in Hillsdale is $130,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.

How educated is Hillsdale, Michigan?

26.2% of adults (25+) in Hillsdale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.