Houghton Lake, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Houghton Lake, Michigan had a total population of 5,769, the 164th largest community in Michigan, with a median household income of $50,305, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Houghton Lake Quick Facts
How Houghton Lake 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 | 5,761 | 5,769 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $50,861 | $50,305 | -1.1% |
| Median home value | $122,800 | $126,200 | +2.8% |
How Houghton Lake 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+)
Houghton Lake Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Roscommon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Helen | 2,929 | $44,871 | 32.8% | $95,600 |
| Prudenville | 1,350 | $33,635 | 13.6% | $163,300 |
| Roscommon | 1,118 | $54,167 | 12.4% | $93,900 |
Cities Similar to Houghton Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dowagiac | 5,732 | $48,166 | $130,800 | 12.4% | 21.4% |
| Zeeland | 5,665 | $52,628 | $299,000 | 29.6% | 10.4% |
| Ishpeming | 6,181 | $52,754 | $111,900 | 27.0% | 18.7% |
| Buena Vista | 5,798 | $41,999 | $62,000 | 11.1% | 20.4% |
| Belding | 5,960 | $60,373 | $163,800 | 16.8% | 15.5% |
Population Overview
Houghton Lake is a small city located in Michigan, within Roscommon County. The total population is 5,769. It ranks as the 164th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Houghton Lake is 54.8 years. This is 36% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 13.8% 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 is $50,305. This is 31% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.0%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $126,200. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Houghton Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Houghton Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.4%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
15.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 91.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Houghton Lake, 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 Houghton Lake, Michigan?
Houghton Lake, Michigan has a population of 5,769 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Houghton Lake, MI?
The median household income in Houghton Lake is $50,305, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Houghton Lake, MI?
The poverty rate in Houghton Lake is 19.0%. This means approximately 1,075 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Houghton Lake, Michigan?
Houghton Lake's population is 93.0% White, 0.5% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Houghton Lake, MI?
The median home value in Houghton Lake is $126,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Houghton Lake, Michigan?
15.2% of adults (25+) in Houghton Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.