Ionia, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ionia, Michigan had a total population of 12,753, the 81st largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $63,978, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Ionia Quick Facts
How Ionia 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 | 11,147 | 12,753 | +14.4% |
| Median household income | $60,184 | $63,978 | No clear change (+6.3%) |
| Median home value¹ | $120,117 | $164,800 | +37.2% |
| Median gross rent | $1,001 | $852 | -14.8% |
How Ionia 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: 71.6%
- Black: 12.5%
- Hispanic: 9.0%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 1.1%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 16.2%
- HS Diploma: 44.2%
- Some College: 20.8%
- Associate's: 8.6%
- Bachelor's: 7.1%
- Graduate+: 3.0%
Ionia Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Ionia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belding | 5,960 | $60,373 | 15.5% | $163,800 |
| Portland | 3,790 | $65,845 | 7.3% | $166,200 |
| Lake Odessa | 2,155 | $62,813 | 13.5% | $148,600 |
| Saranac | 2,013 | $66,944 | 15.3% | $202,800 |
| Lyons | 896 | $68,603 | 12.2% | $121,500 |
| Muir | 490 | $46,771 | 14.1% | $143,100 |
| Pewamo | 439 | $72,500 | 6.6% | $189,400 |
| Clarksville | 417 | $75,625 | 9.3% | $173,000 |
| Palo | 375 | $34,489 | 20.3% | $94,300 |
Cities Similar to Ionia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodhaven | 12,690 | $78,648 | $231,800 | 27.0% | 13.0% |
| Riverview | 12,186 | $73,468 | $215,100 | 21.3% | 7.3% |
| Sault Ste. Marie | 13,335 | $55,328 | $139,400 | 27.0% | 17.8% |
| Fraser | 14,583 | $64,354 | $215,900 | 22.7% | 10.4% |
| Sturgis | 11,054 | $62,710 | $152,600 | 15.7% | 13.4% |
Population Overview
Ionia is a small city located in Michigan, within Ionia County. The total population is 12,753. It ranks as the 81st most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ionia is 36.6 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 14.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ionia is $63,978. This is 12% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 9% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $164,800. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Ionia is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ionia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (9.0% vs 5.9%). The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
10.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 83.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ionia, 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 Ionia, Michigan?
Ionia, Michigan has a population of 12,753 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ionia, MI?
The median household income in Ionia is $63,978, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ionia, MI?
The poverty rate in Ionia is 12.0%. This means approximately 1,160 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ionia, Michigan?
Ionia's population is 71.6% White, 12.5% Black, 9.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ionia, MI?
The median home value in Ionia is $164,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Ionia, Michigan?
10.0% of adults (25+) in Ionia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.