Rochester, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rochester, Michigan had a total population of 12,934, the 80th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $111,750, which is 53% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Michigan.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.2% — among the lowest in Michigan.
- 70.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Michigan.
Rochester Quick Facts
How Rochester 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 | 13,162 | 12,934 | -1.7% |
| Median household income | $110,646 | $111,750 | No clear change (+1.0%) |
| Median home value¹ | $450,562 | $473,200 | No clear change (+5.0%) |
| Median gross rent | $1,287 | $1,350 | No clear change (+4.9%) |
How Rochester 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: 80.3%
- Black: 3.9%
- Hispanic: 1.8%
- Asian: 8.0%
- Other: 0.2%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 1.9%
- HS Diploma: 8.1%
- Some College: 12.4%
- Associate's: 7.5%
- Bachelor's: 34.9%
- Graduate+: 35.2%
Rochester 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 |
| Pontiac | 62,104 | $44,329 | 24.4% | $121,700 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Rochester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Baltimore | 12,072 | $106,033 | $323,200 | 30.4% | 5.4% |
| South Lyon | 11,950 | $92,467 | $294,600 | 47.2% | 4.0% |
| Berkley | 15,149 | $116,239 | $316,700 | 58.8% | 4.5% |
| Farmington | 11,504 | $97,750 | $297,200 | 62.4% | 4.8% |
| Grosse Pointe Park | 11,319 | $124,111 | $473,100 | 73.3% | 4.9% |
Population Overview
Rochester is a small city located in Michigan, within Oakland County. The total population is 12,934. It ranks as the 80th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rochester is 41.2 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rochester is $111,750. This is 53% higher than the state median of $72,875. It is also 38% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.2%. This is 68% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 5.7%. The median home value is $473,200. Housing costs are 104% higher than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 67.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rochester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 8.0%. The Black or African American population (3.9%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (8.0% vs 3.4%).
Education
70.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Rochester in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 116% higher 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 98.1%. Notably, 35.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rochester, 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 Rochester, Michigan?
Rochester, Michigan has a population of 12,934 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rochester, MI?
The median household income in Rochester is $111,750, which is 38% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rochester, MI?
The poverty rate in Rochester is 4.2%. This means approximately 531 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rochester, Michigan?
Rochester's population is 80.3% White, 3.9% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rochester, MI?
The median home value in Rochester is $473,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Rochester, Michigan?
70.0% of adults (25+) in Rochester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 35.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.