Ludington city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Ludington city is a small city located in Michigan, within Mason County. The total population is 7,664. It ranks as the 133rd most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ludington city is 43.8 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. 12.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Ludington city is $44,471. This is 37% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 43% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.3%. This is 79% 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 4.0%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $192,800. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $217,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 58.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 72.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Ludington city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.1%. The Black or African American population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.

Education

27.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% 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 93.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Ludington 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.