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Ionia city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Ionia city, Michigan has a total population of 12,950, the 80th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $60,729, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.4%.

Ionia city Quick Facts

Population 12,950
Median Household Income $60,729
Median Home Value $161,100
Poverty Rate 16.4%
Unemployment Rate 6.3%
Median Age 38.2 years
Homeownership Rate 60.4%
Affordability Ratio 2.7x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 11.8%
High School Graduation Rate 86.2%
Diversity Index 45/100
Population 12,950 80th of 745
Median Income $60,729 average
Poverty Rate 16.4% 32% higher national
Median Home Value $161,100 average

How Ionia city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

6.3% Unemployment Rate State: 5.8% | National: 5.2%
48.2% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 60.4%
Renter 39.6%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.7x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

45out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 44 | National average: 60

Education

Ionia city Rankings in Michigan

#80 Population of 745
#355 Median Income of 745
#567 Education of 745
#331 Home Value of 745

Other Cities in Ionia County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Belding city 5,949 $55,895 17.8% $152,700
Portland city 3,821 $65,116 6.7% $165,000

Cities Similar to Ionia city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Sault Ste. Marie city13,373$55,031$127,30024.1%18.7%
Fraser city14,604$61,118$193,60021.1%10.3%
Riverview city12,269$71,783$200,50025.3%8.2%
Sturgis city11,077$60,640$129,40016.6%16.0%
Hazel Park city14,945$62,878$141,20025.1%13.6%

Population Overview

Ionia city is a small city located in Michigan, within Ionia County. The total population is 12,950. It ranks as the 80th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ionia city is 38.2 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Ionia city is $60,729. This is 15% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 23% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.4%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $161,100. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Ionia city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 72.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Ionia city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (9.4% vs 5.7%). The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.

Education

11.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 86.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Ionia 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Ionia city, Michigan?

Ionia city, Michigan has a population of 12,950 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Ionia city, MI?

The median household income in Ionia city is $60,729, which is 23% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Ionia city, MI?

The poverty rate in Ionia city is 16.4%. This means approximately 1,591 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Ionia city, Michigan?

Ionia city's population is 71.9% White, 14.0% Black, 9.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Ionia city, MI?

The median home value in Ionia city is $161,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.

How educated is Ionia city, Michigan?

11.8% of adults (25+) in Ionia city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.