Sand Lake, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sand Lake, Michigan had a total population of 1,348, the 386th largest community in Michigan, with a median household income of $58,162, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Sand Lake Quick Facts
How Sand Lake 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 | 1,214 | 1,348 | +11.0% |
| Median household income | $49,615 | $58,162 | +17.2% |
| Median home value | $139,300 | $157,500 | +13.1% |
How Sand Lake 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sand Lake Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Iosco County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Tawas | 2,675 | $42,450 | 15.7% | $130,200 |
| Au Sable | 1,643 | $42,431 | 13.5% | $113,600 |
| Tawas City | 1,614 | $46,014 | 12.7% | $138,000 |
| Oscoda | 654 | $46,801 | 18.5% | $86,500 |
| Whittemore | 492 | $33,214 | 22.8% | $80,900 |
Cities Similar to Sand Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Webberville | 1,375 | $57,679 | $162,100 | 10.6% | 18.7% |
| New Buffalo | 1,338 | $64,702 | $391,200 | 42.8% | 12.7% |
| Ontonagon | 1,355 | $50,164 | $105,200 | 18.7% | 10.4% |
| Ovid | 1,370 | $50,145 | $110,600 | 8.9% | 22.4% |
| Stockbridge | 1,383 | $49,545 | $192,500 | 26.1% | 8.2% |
Population Overview
Sand Lake is a small community located in Michigan, within Iosco County. The total population is 1,348. It ranks as the 386th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sand Lake is 60.5 years. This is 50% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 11.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 16.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sand Lake is $58,162. This is 20% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.4%. This is 24% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $157,500. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Sand Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 90.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sand Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
18.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sand Lake, 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 Sand Lake, Michigan?
Sand Lake, Michigan has a population of 1,348 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sand Lake, MI?
The median household income in Sand Lake is $58,162, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sand Lake, MI?
The poverty rate in Sand Lake is 16.4%. This means approximately 221 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sand Lake, Michigan?
Sand Lake's population is 95.8% White, 0.0% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sand Lake, MI?
The median home value in Sand Lake is $157,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Sand Lake, Michigan?
18.4% of adults (25+) in Sand Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.