River Rouge, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, River Rouge, Michigan had a total population of 7,008, the 144th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $41,053, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 39.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (39.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 6.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.4% is notably above the national average.
River Rouge Quick Facts
How River Rouge 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 | 7,092 | 7,008 | -1.2% |
| Median household income | $32,568 | $41,053 | +26.1% |
| Median home value | $55,900 | $65,100 | +16.5% |
How River Rouge 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
River Rouge Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | 638,530 | $39,938 | 32.7% | $83,900 |
| Dearborn | 107,423 | $65,324 | 24.3% | $218,800 |
| Livonia | 93,851 | $98,460 | 4.7% | $281,100 |
| Westland | 83,633 | $62,076 | 14.3% | $184,600 |
| Taylor | 62,081 | $61,081 | 18.4% | $152,600 |
| Dearborn Heights | 61,771 | $60,391 | 21.9% | $185,100 |
| Lincoln Park | 39,257 | $58,616 | 21.5% | $131,000 |
| Southgate | 29,366 | $66,118 | 9.4% | $173,600 |
| Allen Park | 27,925 | $81,655 | 6.9% | $183,700 |
| Hamtramck | 27,743 | $39,293 | 39.9% | $131,000 |
Cities Similar to River Rouge
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albion | 7,560 | $39,885 | $99,900 | 17.5% | 25.1% |
| Bridgeport | 6,884 | $51,071 | $98,800 | 9.7% | 23.8% |
| Ludington | 7,676 | $46,411 | $201,100 | 28.9% | 22.5% |
| St. Louis | 7,367 | $51,167 | $119,200 | 6.3% | 13.4% |
| Fair Plain | 7,330 | $52,817 | $169,400 | 23.8% | 26.6% |
Population Overview
River Rouge is a small city located in Michigan, within Wayne County. The total population is 7,008. It ranks as the 144th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in River Rouge is 34.4 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in River Rouge is $41,053. This is 44% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 39.8%. This is 201% 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 11.4%. This is 100% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $65,100. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, River Rouge is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in River Rouge is Black or African American, making up 45.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 31.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (31.4%) is well below the state average of 72.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (45.5% vs 13.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.0% vs 5.9%).
Education
6.7% 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 80% 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 77.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for River Rouge, 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 River Rouge, Michigan?
River Rouge, Michigan has a population of 7,008 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in River Rouge, MI?
The median household income in River Rouge is $41,053, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in River Rouge, MI?
The poverty rate in River Rouge is 39.8%. This means approximately 2,790 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of River Rouge, Michigan?
River Rouge's population is 31.4% White, 45.5% Black, 17.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in River Rouge, MI?
The median home value in River Rouge is $65,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is River Rouge, Michigan?
6.7% of adults (25+) in River Rouge hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.