Pellston, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pellston, Michigan had a total population of 755, the 484th largest village in Michigan, with a median household income of $66,875, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.5%.
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 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Pellston Quick Facts
How Pellston 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 | 834 | 755 | -9.5% |
| Median household income | $59,464 | $66,875 | +12.5% |
| Median home value | $117,100 | $121,000 | +3.3% |
How Pellston 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Pellston 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 |
| Mackinaw City | 778 | $42,031 | 16.4% | $224,300 |
| 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 Pellston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanford | 716 | $68,000 | $175,600 | 39.6% | 9.5% |
| New Lothrop | 733 | $72,344 | $205,700 | 21.5% | 13.6% |
| Ruby | 714 | $69,077 | $223,800 | 12.1% | 2.7% |
| Sheridan | 746 | $59,063 | $165,700 | 16.8% | 5.2% |
| Hopkins | 773 | $75,417 | $241,700 | 18.1% | 20.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 755, Pellston'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
Pellston is a small community located in Michigan, within Emmet County. The total population is 755. It ranks as the 484th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pellston is 37.1 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pellston is $66,875. This is 8% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.5%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $121,000. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Pellston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pellston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.8%.
Education
15.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 96.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pellston, 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 Pellston, Michigan?
Pellston, Michigan has a population of 755 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pellston, MI?
The median household income in Pellston is $66,875, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pellston, MI?
The poverty rate in Pellston is 17.5%. This means approximately 132 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pellston, Michigan?
Pellston's population is 73.8% White, 0.0% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pellston, MI?
The median home value in Pellston is $121,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Pellston, Michigan?
15.5% of adults (25+) in Pellston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.