Ishpeming, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ishpeming, Michigan had a total population of 6,181, the 155th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $52,754, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Ishpeming Quick Facts
How Ishpeming 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 | 6,173 | 6,181 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $52,717 | $52,754 | +0.1% |
| Median home value | $109,200 | $111,900 | +2.5% |
How Ishpeming 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ishpeming Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Marquette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette | 21,325 | $55,613 | 22.4% | $274,700 |
| Negaunee | 4,656 | $70,568 | 12.4% | $170,100 |
| Harvey | 2,880 | $78,674 | 8.6% | $262,800 |
| West Ishpeming | 2,851 | $95,129 | 5.0% | $193,900 |
| K. I. Sawyer | 2,817 | $60,833 | 13.9% | $87,300 |
| Trowbridge Park | 2,396 | $50,125 | 11.7% | $239,600 |
| Gwinn | 1,435 | $46,414 | 12.4% | $117,000 |
| Republic | 519 | $37,083 | 18.3% | $74,400 |
| Palmer | 309 | $65,833 | 5.2% | $83,900 |
| Big Bay | 306 | $51,953 | 21.3% | $273,100 |
Cities Similar to Ishpeming
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manistee | 6,275 | $60,541 | $164,100 | 23.1% | 16.8% |
| Eastwood | 6,669 | $53,977 | $160,600 | 20.6% | 10.3% |
| Zeeland | 5,665 | $52,628 | $299,000 | 29.6% | 10.4% |
| Houghton Lake | 5,769 | $50,305 | $126,200 | 15.2% | 19.0% |
| Belding | 5,960 | $60,373 | $163,800 | 16.8% | 15.5% |
Population Overview
Ishpeming is a small city located in Michigan, within Marquette County. The total population is 6,181. It ranks as the 155th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ishpeming is 34.8 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ishpeming is $52,754. This is 28% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.7%. This is 42% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 6.4%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $111,900. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Ishpeming is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ishpeming has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.8%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
27.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% 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 95.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ishpeming, 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 Ishpeming, Michigan?
Ishpeming, Michigan has a population of 6,181 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ishpeming, MI?
The median household income in Ishpeming is $52,754, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ishpeming, MI?
The poverty rate in Ishpeming is 18.7%. This means approximately 1,132 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ishpeming, Michigan?
Ishpeming's population is 89.2% White, 0.2% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ishpeming, MI?
The median home value in Ishpeming is $111,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Ishpeming, Michigan?
27.0% of adults (25+) in Ishpeming hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.