Houghton Lake CDP, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Houghton Lake CDP is a small city located in Michigan. The total population is 5,761. It ranks as the 164th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.

Age Demographics

The median age in Houghton Lake CDP is 54.5 years. This is 36% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. 12.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Houghton Lake CDP is $50,861. This is 29% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.7%. This is 67% 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 2.7%. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $122,800. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Houghton Lake CDP is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 72.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Houghton Lake CDP has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.1%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.7%. The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.

Education

17.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 89.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Houghton Lake CDP, 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.