Mackinaw City, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mackinaw City, Michigan had a total population of 778, the 479th largest village in Michigan, with a median household income of $42,031, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 16.1% is notably above the national average.
Mackinaw City Quick Facts
How Mackinaw City 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 | 647 | 778 | +20.2% |
| Median household income | $40,536 | $42,031 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $210,500 | $224,300 | +6.6% |
How Mackinaw City 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Mackinaw City Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Emmet County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petoskey | 5,856 | $74,196 | 9.0% | $364,100 |
| Harbor Springs | 1,086 | $75,417 | 7.3% | $415,700 |
| Alanson | 834 | $65,139 | 15.3% | $134,100 |
| Pellston | 755 | $66,875 | 17.5% | $121,000 |
| Bay Shore | 697 | $75,217 | 7.8% | $153,600 |
| Carp Lake | 380 | $27,474 | 48.2% | $180,000 |
| Conway | 237 | $77,000 | 9.7% | $425,000 |
| Brutus | 198 | $109,375 | 0.0% | $164,100 |
| Bay View | 164 | $236,500 | 4.9% | $375,500 |
| Oden | 150 | N/A | 10.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Mackinaw City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 758 | $42,936 | $100,200 | 7.6% | 24.5% |
| Middletown | 799 | $46,250 | $90,700 | 6.9% | 34.8% |
| Merrill | 798 | $47,500 | $93,200 | 11.3% | 33.5% |
| Hillman | 812 | $36,823 | $87,000 | 12.9% | 35.0% |
| Elkton | 750 | $48,654 | $92,300 | 16.5% | 23.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 778, Mackinaw City's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Mackinaw City is a small community located in Michigan, within Emmet County. The total population is 778. It ranks as the 479th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mackinaw City is 49.1 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 14.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.8% 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 Mackinaw City is $42,031. This is 42% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.4%. This is 24% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 16.1%. This is 183% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $224,300. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x. 66.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Mackinaw City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.9%.
Education
29.0% 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 92.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mackinaw City, 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 Mackinaw City, Michigan?
Mackinaw City, Michigan has a population of 778 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mackinaw City, MI?
The median household income in Mackinaw City is $42,031, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mackinaw City, MI?
The poverty rate in Mackinaw City is 16.4%. This means approximately 126 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mackinaw City, Michigan?
Mackinaw City's population is 53.6% White, 17.9% Black, 6.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mackinaw City, MI?
The median home value in Mackinaw City is $224,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x.
How educated is Mackinaw City, Michigan?
29.0% of adults (25+) in Mackinaw City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.