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Melvindale city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 34.4% is well above the state average

As of 2026, Melvindale city, Michigan has a total population of 12,605, the 83rd largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $41,356, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.4%.

Key Takeaways

Melvindale city Quick Facts

Population 12,605
Median Household Income $41,356
Median Home Value $113,100
Poverty Rate 34.4%
Unemployment Rate 7.0%
Median Age 31.6 years
Homeownership Rate 60.0%
Affordability Ratio 2.7x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 15.0%
High School Graduation Rate 70.4%
Diversity Index 54/100
Population 12,605 83rd of 745
Median Income $41,356 bottom 20%
Poverty Rate 34.4% 176% higher national
Median Home Value $113,100 bottom 30%

How Melvindale city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

7.0% Unemployment Rate State: 5.8% | National: 5.2%
58.1% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 60.0%
Renter 40.0%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.7x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

54out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 44 | National average: 60

Education

Melvindale city Rankings in Michigan

#83 Population of 745
#654 Median Income of 745
#489 Education of 745
#517 Home Value of 745

Other Cities in Wayne County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Detroit city 636,644 $39,575 31.5% $76,800
Dearborn city 107,846 $65,192 24.3% $205,900
Livonia city 94,058 $96,317 4.7% $265,300
Westland city 84,155 $62,216 13.3% $176,500
Taylor city 62,405 $59,537 16.7% $141,200
Dearborn Heights city 62,099 $61,035 20.4% $174,900
Lincoln Park city 39,511 $57,183 22.1% $117,400
Southgate city 29,551 $64,635 9.8% $165,400
Allen Park city 28,128 $80,045 6.0% $174,500
Hamtramck city 27,830 $40,103 38.2% $116,400

Cities Similar to Melvindale city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Escanaba city12,374$40,169$116,60018.9%21.1%
Niles city11,838$47,815$115,40017.1%20.9%
Coldwater city13,847$50,084$120,90014.5%19.9%
Sault Ste. Marie city13,373$55,031$127,30024.1%18.7%
Ionia city12,950$60,729$161,10011.8%16.4%

Population Overview

Melvindale city is a small city located in Michigan, within Wayne County. The total population is 12,605. It ranks as the 83rd most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.

Age Demographics

The median age in Melvindale city is 31.6 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. With 31.1% of the population under 18, Melvindale city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Melvindale city is $41,356. This is 42% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 47% lower. The poverty rate stands at 34.4%. This is 164% 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 7.0%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $113,100. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Melvindale city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 72.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Melvindale city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (23.1% vs 5.7%).

Education

15.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 70.4%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Melvindale 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Melvindale city, Michigan?

Melvindale city, Michigan has a population of 12,605 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Melvindale city, MI?

The median household income in Melvindale city is $41,356, which is 47% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Melvindale city, MI?

The poverty rate in Melvindale city is 34.4%. This means approximately 4,335 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Melvindale city, Michigan?

Melvindale city's population is 62.5% White, 12.3% Black, 23.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Melvindale city, MI?

The median home value in Melvindale city is $113,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.

How educated is Melvindale city, Michigan?

15.0% of adults (25+) in Melvindale city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.