Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan had a total population of 13,335, the 79th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $55,328, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.8%.
Sault Ste. Marie Quick Facts
How Sault Ste. Marie 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 | 13,591 | 13,335 | -1.9% |
| Median household income | $47,187 | $55,328 | +17.3% |
| Median home value¹ | $113,840 | $139,400 | +22.5% |
| Median gross rent | $859 | $804 | No clear change (-6.4%) |
How Sault Ste. Marie 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: 68.4%
- Black: 0.5%
- Hispanic: 1.9%
- Asian: 1.2%
- Other: 0.9%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 6.2%
- HS Diploma: 32.3%
- Some College: 25.9%
- Associate's: 8.7%
- Bachelor's: 16.4%
- Graduate+: 10.6%
Sault Ste. Marie Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Chippewa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kincheloe | 2,524 | $57,644 | 25.1% | $110,700 |
| Brimley | 345 | $65,313 | 10.1% | $146,400 |
| De Tour Village | 212 | $48,750 | 9.9% | $237,500 |
Cities Similar to Sault Ste. Marie
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
Population Overview
Sault Ste. Marie is a small city located in Michigan, within Chippewa County. The total population is 13,335. It ranks as the 79th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sault Ste. Marie is 34.0 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sault Ste. Marie is $55,328. This is 24% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.8%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $139,400. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Sault Ste. Marie is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sault Ste. Marie is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.9%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
27.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% 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 93.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sault Ste. Marie, 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 Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan?
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan has a population of 13,335 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sault Ste. Marie, MI?
The median household income in Sault Ste. Marie is $55,328, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sault Ste. Marie, MI?
The poverty rate in Sault Ste. Marie is 17.8%. This means approximately 2,207 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan?
Sault Ste. Marie's population is 68.4% White, 0.5% Black, 1.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sault Ste. Marie, MI?
The median home value in Sault Ste. Marie is $139,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan?
27.0% of adults (25+) in Sault Ste. Marie hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.