Ludington, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ludington, Michigan had a total population of 7,676, the 134th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $46,411, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Ludington Quick Facts
How Ludington 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 | 7,664 | 7,676 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $44,471 | $46,411 | +4.4% |
| Median home value | $192,800 | $201,100 | +4.3% |
How Ludington 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+)
Ludington Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Mason County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottville | 1,474 | $51,953 | 27.5% | $134,300 |
| Custer | 275 | $63,125 | 13.1% | $131,300 |
| Fountain | 204 | $58,750 | 46.8% | $102,300 |
| Free Soil | 112 | $58,750 | 8.0% | $115,600 |
Cities Similar to Ludington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three Rivers | 7,943 | $49,503 | $134,900 | 14.2% | 15.0% |
| Hillsdale | 8,002 | $51,038 | $130,900 | 26.2% | 22.9% |
| St. Louis | 7,367 | $51,167 | $119,200 | 6.3% | 13.4% |
| Albion | 7,560 | $39,885 | $99,900 | 17.5% | 25.1% |
| Fair Plain | 7,330 | $52,817 | $169,400 | 23.8% | 26.6% |
Population Overview
Ludington is a small city located in Michigan, within Mason County. The total population is 7,676. It ranks as the 134th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ludington is 45.3 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 40.2 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 is $46,411. This is 36% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.5%. This is 70% 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 3.6%. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $201,100. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 59.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ludington has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.0%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
28.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% 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 93.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ludington, 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 Ludington, Michigan?
Ludington, Michigan has a population of 7,676 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ludington, MI?
The median household income in Ludington is $46,411, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ludington, MI?
The poverty rate in Ludington is 22.5%. This means approximately 1,670 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ludington, Michigan?
Ludington's population is 87.6% White, 1.8% Black, 5.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ludington, MI?
The median home value in Ludington is $201,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Ludington, Michigan?
28.9% of adults (25+) in Ludington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.