Onaway city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Onaway city is a small community located in Michigan, within Presque Isle County. The total population is 701. It ranks as the 495th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.

Age Demographics

The median age in Onaway city is 51.8 years. This is 29% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. Only 11.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.0% 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 Onaway city is $40,159. This is 44% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 49% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.7%. This is 66% 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 6.7%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $59,100. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Onaway city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 72.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Onaway city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.1%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.

Education

9.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 72% 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 83.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Onaway 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.