Saginaw city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Saginaw city, Michigan has a total population of 43,879, the 28th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $37,298, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.5% is notably above the national average.
Saginaw city Quick Facts
How Saginaw 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+)
Saginaw city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Saginaw County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frankenmuth city | 5,108 | $84,583 | 3.6% | $277,600 |
| Zilwaukee city | 1,696 | $57,449 | 13.7% | $87,900 |
Cities Similar to Saginaw city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Lansing city | 45,394 | $43,547 | $251,600 | 67.3% | 34.2% |
| Muskegon city | 37,203 | $46,342 | $121,800 | 15.8% | 20.2% |
| Lincoln Park city | 39,511 | $57,183 | $117,400 | 11.3% | 22.1% |
| Roseville city | 47,240 | $61,222 | $142,700 | 15.3% | 11.8% |
| Battle Creek city | 52,392 | $51,699 | $127,600 | 22.1% | 18.0% |
Population Overview
Saginaw city is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Saginaw County. The total population is 43,879. It ranks as the 28th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Saginaw city is 36.2 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Saginaw city is $37,298. This is 48% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 53% lower. The poverty rate stands at 33.5%. This is 157% 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 11.5%. This is 98% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $54,000. Housing costs are 75% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Saginaw city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Saginaw city is Black or African American, making up 45.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (34.7%) is well below the state average of 73.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (45.7% vs 13.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (15.3% vs 5.7%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
11.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 83.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Saginaw 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 Saginaw city, Michigan?
Saginaw city, Michigan has a population of 43,879 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Saginaw city, MI?
The median household income in Saginaw city is $37,298, which is 53% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Saginaw city, MI?
The poverty rate in Saginaw city is 33.5%. This means approximately 14,400 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Saginaw city, Michigan?
Saginaw city's population is 34.7% White, 45.7% Black, 15.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Saginaw city, MI?
The median home value in Saginaw city is $54,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Saginaw city, Michigan?
11.7% of adults (25+) in Saginaw city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.