Mecosta, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mecosta, Michigan had a total population of 464, the 562nd largest village in Michigan, with a median household income of $73,516, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 18.5%.
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 1.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.1% is notably above the national average.
Mecosta Quick Facts
How Mecosta 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 | 509 | 464 | -8.8% |
| Median household income | $70,069 | $73,516 | +4.9% |
| Median home value | $92,200 | $96,200 | +4.3% |
How Mecosta 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+)
Mecosta Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Mecosta County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Rapids | 8,477 | $43,858 | 34.1% | $156,400 |
| Canadian Lakes | 2,991 | $78,833 | 12.3% | $270,000 |
| Morley | 624 | $41,750 | 34.0% | $122,500 |
| Barryton | 394 | $52,875 | 16.4% | $95,900 |
| Paris | 202 | $68,281 | 18.8% | $155,600 |
| Stanwood | 162 | $54,632 | 1.2% | $156,600 |
Cities Similar to Mecosta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lost Lake Woods | 458 | $71,806 | $173,300 | 45.8% | 5.7% |
| Lennon | 465 | $66,111 | $167,600 | 11.0% | 17.4% |
| Pewamo | 439 | $72,500 | $189,400 | 18.2% | 6.6% |
| Hubbardston | 464 | $83,750 | $128,400 | 10.5% | 11.0% |
| New Era | 433 | $77,125 | $180,800 | 35.0% | 7.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 464, Mecosta'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
Mecosta is a small community located in Michigan, within Mecosta County. The total population is 464. It ranks as the 562nd most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mecosta is 45.2 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mecosta is $73,516. This is about the same as the state median of $72,875. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.5%. This is 40% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 10.1%. This is 77% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $96,200. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Mecosta is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Mecosta has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.3%. The Black or African American population (6.3%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
10.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 93.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mecosta, 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 Mecosta, Michigan?
Mecosta, Michigan has a population of 464 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mecosta, MI?
The median household income in Mecosta is $73,516, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mecosta, MI?
The poverty rate in Mecosta is 18.5%. This means approximately 86 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mecosta, Michigan?
Mecosta's population is 88.6% White, 6.3% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mecosta, MI?
The median home value in Mecosta is $96,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Mecosta, Michigan?
10.6% of adults (25+) in Mecosta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.