Shields, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shields, Michigan had a total population of 7,402, the 140th largest community in Michigan, with a median household income of $82,125, which is 13% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Shields Quick Facts
How Shields 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 | 7,276 | 7,402 | +1.7% |
| Median household income | $83,986 | $82,125 | -2.2% |
| Median home value | $173,300 | $174,500 | +0.7% |
How Shields 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+)
Shields Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Saginaw County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saginaw | 43,536 | $38,579 | 34.0% | $60,000 |
| Freeland | 7,557 | $110,547 | 5.5% | $265,900 |
| 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 Shields
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton | 7,688 | $80,682 | $339,000 | 48.6% | 8.1% |
| Walled Lake | 7,299 | $72,055 | $224,200 | 32.6% | 10.4% |
| St. Joseph | 7,986 | $84,057 | $299,000 | 55.4% | 7.3% |
| Whitmore Lake | 7,878 | $86,779 | $287,700 | 38.9% | 5.0% |
| Hudsonville | 7,769 | $91,280 | $285,700 | 36.1% | 8.3% |
Population Overview
Shields is a small city located in Michigan, within Saginaw County. The total population is 7,402. It ranks as the 140th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shields is 48.0 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 12.6% 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 Shields is $82,125. This is 13% higher than the state median of $72,875. It is also 2% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.1%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $174,500. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Shields is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Shields has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.3%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
30.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% 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 92.0%. Notably, 15.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shields, 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 Shields, Michigan?
Shields, Michigan has a population of 7,402 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shields, MI?
The median household income in Shields is $82,125, which is 2% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shields, MI?
The poverty rate in Shields is 13.1%. This means approximately 951 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shields, Michigan?
Shields's population is 89.0% White, 1.5% Black, 4.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shields, MI?
The median home value in Shields is $174,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Shields, Michigan?
30.8% of adults (25+) in Shields hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.