Howard City, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Howard City, Michigan had a total population of 1,636, the 345th largest village in Michigan, with a median household income of $54,688, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Only 7.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Howard City Quick Facts
How Howard City Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,589 | 1,636 | No clear change (+3.0%) |
| Median household income | $50,885 | $54,688 | No clear change (+7.5%) |
| Median home value¹ | $99,687 | $151,200 | +51.7% |
| Median gross rent | $823 | $609 | No clear change (-26.0%) |
How Howard City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 88.8%
- Black: 0.2%
- Hispanic: 4.8%
- Asian: 0.6%
- Other: 0.0%
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+)
- < High School: 13.3%
- HS Diploma: 47.0%
- Some College: 23.0%
- Associate's: 9.5%
- Bachelor's: 7.1%
- Graduate+: 0.0%
Howard City Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Montcalm County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | 8,995 | $63,285 | 11.5% | $184,200 |
| Edmore | 1,514 | $54,063 | 32.2% | $105,500 |
| Stanton | 1,285 | $48,750 | 31.2% | $114,900 |
| Carson City | 1,233 | $44,375 | 15.8% | $123,600 |
| Crystal | 1,114 | $41,806 | 12.6% | $197,300 |
| Lakeview | 1,030 | $33,631 | 30.4% | $165,500 |
| Sheridan | 746 | $59,063 | 5.2% | $165,700 |
| Trufant | 572 | $93,750 | 4.2% | $123,600 |
| McBride | 195 | $59,821 | 21.0% | $117,700 |
| Pierson | 119 | $41,875 | 27.4% | $100,000 |
Cities Similar to Howard City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homer | 1,610 | $54,737 | $136,200 | 11.3% | 18.7% |
| Wakefield | 1,683 | $55,759 | $79,100 | 13.4% | 15.0% |
| Zilwaukee | 1,609 | $57,756 | $95,300 | 17.0% | 15.2% |
| Fennville | 1,623 | $59,167 | $150,400 | 6.2% | 24.9% |
| Litchfield | 1,566 | $53,182 | $117,000 | 16.3% | 11.4% |
Population Overview
Howard City is a small community located in Michigan, within Montcalm County. The total population is 1,636. It ranks as the 345th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Howard City is 33.7 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Howard City is $54,688. This is 25% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.9%. This is 81% 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 1.8%. This is 69% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $151,200. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Howard City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Howard City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.8%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
7.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 78% 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 86.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Howard City, 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 Howard City, Michigan?
Howard City, Michigan has a population of 1,636 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Howard City, MI?
The median household income in Howard City is $54,688, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Howard City, MI?
The poverty rate in Howard City is 23.9%. This means approximately 389 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Howard City, Michigan?
Howard City's population is 88.8% White, 0.2% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Howard City, MI?
The median home value in Howard City is $151,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Howard City, Michigan?
7.1% of adults (25+) in Howard City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.