Imlay City city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Imlay City city is a small community located in Michigan, within Lapeer County. The total population is 3,706. It ranks as the 218th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.

Age Demographics

The median age in Imlay City city is 35.3 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Imlay City city is $55,061. This is 23% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.5%. This is 95% 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 3.0%. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $137,800. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Imlay City city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 72.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Imlay City city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 43.3%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (43.3% vs 5.7%). The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.

Education

11.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% 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 78.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Imlay City 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.