Pontiac city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Pontiac city, Michigan has a total population of 61,914, the 20th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $42,791, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.6% is notably above the national average.
Pontiac city Quick Facts
How Pontiac 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Pontiac city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Oakland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy city | 87,307 | $119,299 | 5.3% | $396,800 |
| Farmington Hills city | 83,316 | $101,863 | 6.3% | $333,200 |
| Rochester Hills city | 76,086 | $119,054 | 4.9% | $377,400 |
| Southfield city | 76,025 | $65,848 | 11.2% | $226,900 |
| Novi city | 66,224 | $110,938 | 4.7% | $399,100 |
| Royal Oak city | 57,880 | $95,182 | 5.9% | $305,900 |
| Oak Park city | 29,370 | $65,882 | 14.2% | $198,500 |
| Madison Heights city | 28,411 | $66,726 | 11.3% | $190,300 |
| Auburn Hills city | 24,911 | $78,727 | 11.2% | $233,900 |
| Birmingham city | 21,612 | $153,125 | 4.9% | $712,700 |
Cities Similar to Pontiac city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor city | 62,405 | $59,537 | $141,200 | 15.8% | 16.7% |
| Dearborn Heights city | 62,099 | $61,035 | $174,900 | 23.9% | 20.4% |
| Kalamazoo city | 73,132 | $48,965 | $164,500 | 37.0% | 27.0% |
| Battle Creek city | 52,392 | $51,699 | $127,600 | 22.1% | 18.0% |
| East Lansing city | 45,394 | $43,547 | $251,600 | 67.3% | 34.2% |
Population Overview
Pontiac city is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Oakland County. The total population is 61,914. It ranks as the 20th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pontiac city is 35.5 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pontiac city is $42,791. This is 40% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 46% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.6%. This is 96% 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 10.6%. This is 83% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $110,600. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Pontiac city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 44.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pontiac city is Black or African American, making up 46.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 22.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (22.4%) is well below the state average of 73.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (46.0% vs 13.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (21.7% vs 5.7%).
Education
16.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 81.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pontiac 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 Pontiac city, Michigan?
Pontiac city, Michigan has a population of 61,914 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pontiac city, MI?
The median household income in Pontiac city is $42,791, which is 46% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Pontiac city, MI?
The poverty rate in Pontiac city is 25.6%. This means approximately 15,454 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pontiac city, Michigan?
Pontiac city's population is 22.4% White, 46.0% Black, 21.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pontiac city, MI?
The median home value in Pontiac city is $110,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Pontiac city, Michigan?
16.2% of adults (25+) in Pontiac city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.