Imlay City, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Imlay City, Michigan had a total population of 3,721, the 217th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $59,911, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Imlay City Quick Facts
How Imlay City 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 | 3,706 | 3,721 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $55,061 | $59,911 | +8.8% |
| Median home value | $137,800 | $150,000 | +8.9% |
How Imlay 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
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Imlay City Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Lapeer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lapeer | 9,082 | $52,716 | 24.5% | $178,400 |
| Almont | 2,838 | $83,537 | 8.4% | $246,500 |
| Dryden | 1,182 | $70,352 | 4.6% | $208,300 |
| North Branch | 1,166 | $56,731 | 15.3% | $152,000 |
| Brown City | 1,139 | $58,750 | 18.6% | $127,700 |
| Barnes Lake | 952 | $79,400 | 3.5% | $225,900 |
| Columbiaville | 754 | $54,135 | 11.7% | $142,600 |
| Metamora | 693 | $85,750 | 6.0% | $270,900 |
| Attica | 627 | $39,318 | 13.4% | $186,300 |
| Millers Lake | 554 | $70,298 | 21.5% | $216,700 |
Cities Similar to Imlay City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Springs | 3,670 | $57,979 | $214,000 | 13.9% | 22.2% |
| Plainwell | 3,763 | $66,525 | $220,500 | 21.2% | 10.4% |
| Portland | 3,790 | $65,845 | $166,200 | 28.2% | 7.3% |
| Boyne City | 3,825 | $64,855 | $249,000 | 32.9% | 7.8% |
| Belleville | 3,910 | $62,991 | $148,300 | 35.2% | 5.5% |
Population Overview
Imlay City is a small community located in Michigan, within Lapeer County. The total population is 3,721. It ranks as the 217th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Imlay City is 35.9 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Imlay City is $59,911. This is 18% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.5%. This is 78% 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 2.1%. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $150,000. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Imlay City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Imlay City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 42.8%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (42.8% vs 5.9%). The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
11.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 79.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Imlay 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 Imlay City, Michigan?
Imlay City, Michigan has a population of 3,721 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Imlay City, MI?
The median household income in Imlay City is $59,911, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Imlay City, MI?
The poverty rate in Imlay City is 23.5%. This means approximately 870 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Imlay City, Michigan?
Imlay City's population is 51.6% White, 0.5% Black, 42.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Imlay City, MI?
The median home value in Imlay City is $150,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Imlay City, Michigan?
11.9% of adults (25+) in Imlay City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.