Rochester city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Rochester city, Michigan has a total population of 12,939, the 81st largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $104,920, which is 47% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Michigan.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.4% — among the lowest in Michigan.
- 70.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Michigan.
Rochester city Quick Facts
How Rochester 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rochester 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 |
| Pontiac city | 61,914 | $42,791 | 25.6% | $110,600 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Rochester city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Baltimore city | 12,060 | $97,027 | $309,800 | 27.2% | 4.9% |
| Woodhaven city | 12,761 | $83,291 | $221,200 | 25.4% | 12.1% |
| Farmington city | 11,472 | $94,115 | $273,000 | 60.8% | 4.0% |
| Berkley city | 15,084 | $113,103 | $289,200 | 58.1% | 4.7% |
| Fenton city | 11,950 | $83,077 | $211,700 | 34.8% | 6.3% |
Population Overview
Rochester city is a small city located in Michigan, within Oakland County. The total population is 12,939. It ranks as the 81st most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rochester city is 39.4 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rochester city is $104,920. This is 47% higher than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% higher. The poverty rate stands at 4.4%. This is 66% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $450,800. Housing costs are 107% higher than the state median of $217,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 67.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rochester city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 8.3%. The Black or African American population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 5.7%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (8.3% vs 3.3%).
Education
70.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Rochester city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 121% higher 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 98.3%. Notably, 33.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rochester 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 Rochester city, Michigan?
Rochester city, Michigan has a population of 12,939 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rochester city, MI?
The median household income in Rochester city is $104,920, which is 34% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Rochester city, MI?
The poverty rate in Rochester city is 4.4%. This means approximately 565 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rochester city, Michigan?
Rochester city's population is 82.3% White, 2.1% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rochester city, MI?
The median home value in Rochester city is $450,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Rochester city, Michigan?
70.2% of adults (25+) in Rochester city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 33.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.