Houghton city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Houghton city is a small city located in Michigan, within Houghton County. The total population is 8,341. It ranks as the 121st most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.

Age Demographics

The median age in Houghton city is 21.9 years. This is 45% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. Only 11.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Houghton city is $35,417. This is 50% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 55% lower. The poverty rate stands at 34.9%. This is 168% 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 10.8%. This is 86% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $233,700. Housing costs are 7% higher than the state median of $217,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 37.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 48% lower than the state average of 72.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Houghton city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.5% of the population. Asian residents account for 8.9%. The Black or African American population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (8.9% vs 3.3%).

Education

65.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Houghton city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 107% higher 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 94.8%. Notably, 44.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Houghton 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.