Saginaw, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Saginaw, Michigan had a total population of 43,536, the 28th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $38,579, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.1% is notably above the national average.
Saginaw Quick Facts
How Saginaw 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 | 43,879 | 43,536 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $37,298 | $38,579 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $54,000 | $60,000 | +11.1% |
How Saginaw 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+)
Saginaw Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Saginaw County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freeland | 7,557 | $110,547 | 5.5% | $265,900 |
| Shields | 7,402 | $82,125 | 13.1% | $174,500 |
| Bridgeport | 6,884 | $51,071 | 23.8% | $98,800 |
| Buena Vista | 5,798 | $41,999 | 20.4% | $62,000 |
| Frankenmuth | 5,157 | $85,433 | 4.9% | $300,500 |
| Chesaning | 2,484 | $59,777 | 13.9% | $136,700 |
| St. Charles | 1,934 | $50,000 | 15.3% | $118,500 |
| Zilwaukee | 1,609 | $57,756 | 15.2% | $95,300 |
| Hemlock | 1,529 | $102,188 | 8.4% | $221,800 |
| Birch Run | 1,439 | $70,521 | 13.5% | $191,000 |
Cities Similar to Saginaw
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Lansing | 45,758 | $45,687 | $270,800 | 66.6% | 33.0% |
| Muskegon | 37,226 | $44,735 | $142,300 | 15.5% | 24.9% |
| Lincoln Park | 39,257 | $58,616 | $131,000 | 11.5% | 21.5% |
| Roseville | 47,123 | $62,182 | $155,800 | 15.5% | 12.5% |
| Midland | 42,724 | $73,325 | $203,900 | 44.6% | 10.3% |
Population Overview
Saginaw is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Saginaw County. The total population is 43,536. It ranks as the 28th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Saginaw is 35.5 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Saginaw is $38,579. This is 47% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.0%. This is 157% 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 10.1%. This is 78% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $60,000. Housing costs are 74% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Saginaw is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Saginaw is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (34.7%) is well below the state average of 72.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (44.3% vs 13.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (15.9% vs 5.9%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
13.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% 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 85.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Saginaw, 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 Saginaw, Michigan?
Saginaw, Michigan has a population of 43,536 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Saginaw, MI?
The median household income in Saginaw is $38,579, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Saginaw, MI?
The poverty rate in Saginaw is 34.0%. This means approximately 14,537 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Saginaw, Michigan?
Saginaw's population is 34.7% White, 44.3% Black, 15.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Saginaw, MI?
The median home value in Saginaw is $60,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Saginaw, Michigan?
13.3% of adults (25+) in Saginaw hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.