Pontiac, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pontiac, Michigan had a total population of 62,104, the 18th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $44,329, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Michigan (diversity index: 71/100).
- Unemployment rate of 10.1% is notably above the national average.
Pontiac Quick Facts
How Pontiac Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,955 | 62,104 | +3.6% |
| Median household income | $41,312 | $44,329 | No clear change (+7.3%) |
| Median home value¹ | $82,580 | $121,700 | +47.4% |
| Median gross rent | $1,003 | $1,063 | +6.0% |
How Pontiac Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 22.8%
- Black: 41.7%
- Hispanic: 24.1%
- Asian: 4.2%
- Other: 0.7%
Diversity Index
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 17.9%
- HS Diploma: 36.7%
- Some College: 22.7%
- Associate's: 6.6%
- Bachelor's: 11.3%
- Graduate+: 4.8%
Pontiac Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Oakland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | 87,898 | $120,045 | 5.4% | $420,300 |
| Farmington Hills | 83,515 | $104,836 | 7.6% | $354,500 |
| Rochester Hills | 77,089 | $120,694 | 5.2% | $409,800 |
| Southfield | 76,236 | $68,166 | 10.3% | $236,200 |
| Novi | 66,717 | $110,723 | 5.4% | $421,900 |
| Royal Oak | 57,950 | $101,109 | 6.2% | $328,700 |
| Oak Park | 29,318 | $71,510 | 12.0% | $212,300 |
| Madison Heights | 28,419 | $69,503 | 10.8% | $199,100 |
| Auburn Hills | 25,105 | $84,375 | 11.1% | $245,000 |
| Birmingham | 21,763 | $153,510 | 5.1% | $698,300 |
Cities Similar to Pontiac
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dearborn Heights | 61,771 | $60,391 | $185,100 | 23.8% | 21.9% |
| Taylor | 62,081 | $61,081 | $152,600 | 16.4% | 18.4% |
| Kalamazoo | 73,076 | $52,272 | $179,000 | 38.5% | 24.9% |
| Battle Creek | 52,374 | $55,693 | $141,900 | 21.9% | 17.6% |
| St. Clair Shores | 58,140 | $73,500 | $210,700 | 29.7% | 8.4% |
Population Overview
Pontiac is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Oakland County. The total population is 62,104. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pontiac is 36.5 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pontiac is $44,329. This is 39% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.4%. This is 85% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 10.1%. This is 77% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $121,700. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Pontiac is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Pontiac is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 24.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (22.8%) is well below the state average of 72.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (41.7% vs 13.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (24.1% vs 5.9%).
Education
16.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 82.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pontiac, 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 Pontiac, Michigan?
Pontiac, Michigan has a population of 62,104 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pontiac, MI?
The median household income in Pontiac is $44,329, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pontiac, MI?
The poverty rate in Pontiac is 24.4%. This means approximately 14,744 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pontiac, Michigan?
Pontiac's population is 22.8% White, 41.7% Black, 24.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pontiac, MI?
The median home value in Pontiac is $121,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Pontiac, Michigan?
16.1% of adults (25+) in Pontiac hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.