River Rouge city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, River Rouge city, Michigan has a total population of 7,092, the 141st largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $32,568, which is 54% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 40.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (40.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.9% is notably above the national average.
River Rouge city Quick Facts
How River Rouge 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+)
River Rouge city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit city | 636,644 | $39,575 | 31.5% | $76,800 |
| Dearborn city | 107,846 | $65,192 | 24.3% | $205,900 |
| Livonia city | 94,058 | $96,317 | 4.7% | $265,300 |
| Westland city | 84,155 | $62,216 | 13.3% | $176,500 |
| Taylor city | 62,405 | $59,537 | 16.7% | $141,200 |
| Dearborn Heights city | 62,099 | $61,035 | 20.4% | $174,900 |
| Lincoln Park city | 39,511 | $57,183 | 22.1% | $117,400 |
| Southgate city | 29,551 | $64,635 | 9.8% | $165,400 |
| Allen Park city | 28,128 | $80,045 | 6.0% | $174,500 |
| Hamtramck city | 27,830 | $40,103 | 38.2% | $116,400 |
Cities Similar to River Rouge city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albion city | 7,608 | $40,040 | $91,100 | 17.6% | 27.2% |
| St. Louis city | 6,926 | $46,096 | $115,700 | 6.8% | 15.4% |
| Houghton city | 8,341 | $35,417 | $233,700 | 65.6% | 34.9% |
| Big Rapids city | 7,847 | $40,197 | $134,200 | 28.3% | 35.4% |
| Bridgeport CDP | 6,841 | $47,325 | $91,400 | 10.5% | 20.8% |
Population Overview
River Rouge city is a small city located in Michigan, within Wayne County. The total population is 7,092. It ranks as the 141st most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in River Rouge city is 36.6 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in River Rouge city is $32,568. This is 54% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 59% lower. The poverty rate stands at 40.0%. This is 207% 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 9.9%. This is 70% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $55,900. Housing costs are 74% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, River Rouge city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 52.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
River Rouge city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (34.1%) is well below the state average of 73.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (44.8% vs 13.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (15.6% vs 5.7%).
Education
7.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 78% 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 77.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for River Rouge 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 River Rouge city, Michigan?
River Rouge city, Michigan has a population of 7,092 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in River Rouge city, MI?
The median household income in River Rouge city is $32,568, which is 59% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in River Rouge city, MI?
The poverty rate in River Rouge city is 40.0%. This means approximately 2,838 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of River Rouge city, Michigan?
River Rouge city's population is 34.1% White, 44.8% Black, 15.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in River Rouge city, MI?
The median home value in River Rouge city is $55,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is River Rouge city, Michigan?
7.1% of adults (25+) in River Rouge city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.