Niles city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Niles city, Michigan has a total population of 11,838, the 88th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $47,815, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.2% is notably above the national average.
Niles city Quick Facts
How Niles city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Niles city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Cass County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dowagiac city | 5,677 | $38,433 | 30.4% | $110,300 |
Cities Similar to Niles city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escanaba city | 12,374 | $40,169 | $116,600 | 18.9% | 21.1% |
| Melvindale city | 12,605 | $41,356 | $113,100 | 15.0% | 34.4% |
| Alpena city | 10,178 | $47,604 | $110,400 | 15.2% | 19.2% |
| Cadillac city | 10,404 | $50,512 | $117,500 | 22.1% | 17.4% |
| Coldwater city | 13,847 | $50,084 | $120,900 | 14.5% | 19.9% |
Population Overview
Niles city is a small city located in Michigan, within Cass County. The total population is 11,838. It ranks as the 88th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Niles city is 39.2 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Niles city is $47,815. This is 33% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 39% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.9%. This is 60% 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 11.2%. This is 93% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $115,400. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Niles city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Niles city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.5%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
17.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 90.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Niles 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 Niles city, Michigan?
Niles city, Michigan has a population of 11,838 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Niles city, MI?
The median household income in Niles city is $47,815, which is 39% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Niles city, MI?
The poverty rate in Niles city is 20.9%. This means approximately 2,426 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Niles city, Michigan?
Niles city's population is 77.9% White, 12.5% Black, 4.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Niles city, MI?
The median home value in Niles city is $115,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Niles city, Michigan?
17.1% of adults (25+) in Niles city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.