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Southfield, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Southfield, Michigan had a total population of 76,236, the 15th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $68,166, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.3%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Southfield Quick Facts

Population 76,236
Median Household Income $68,166
Median Home Value $236,200
Poverty Rate 10.3%
Unemployment Rate 6.9%
Median Age 42.3 years
Homeownership Rate 53.4%
Affordability Ratio 3.5x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 40.7%
High School Graduation Rate 94.7%
Diversity Index 52/100
Population 76,236 15th of 745
Median Income $68,166 above average
Poverty Rate 10.3% 18% lower than national
Median Home Value $236,200 top 30%

How Southfield Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population76,02576,236+0.3%
Median household income$65,848$68,166+3.5%
Median home value$226,900$236,200+4.1%

How Southfield Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 18.7%
$25K-$50K 17.2%
$50K-$100K 33.3%
$100K+ 30.9%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
5.6%
$10K-$15K
4.0%
$15K-$20K
5.5%
$20K-$25K
3.6%
$25K-$30K
3.6%
$30K-$35K
3.4%
$35K-$40K
2.5%
$40K-$45K
4.3%
$45K-$50K
3.3%
$50K-$60K
7.5%
$60K-$75K
11.9%
$75K-$100K
13.8%
$100K-$125K
8.4%
$125K-$150K
7.2%
$150K-$200K
7.7%
$200K+
7.5%

Employment

6.9% Unemployment Rate State: 5.7%|National: 5.2%
61.6% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 53.4%
Renter 46.6%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.5x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,340/mo 23.6% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

52out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 45 | National average: 61

Education

Southfield Rankings in Michigan

#15 Population of 745
#269 Median Income of 732
#133 Education of 745
#177 Home Value of 730

Other Cities in Oakland County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Troy 87,898 $120,045 5.4% $420,300
Farmington Hills 83,515 $104,836 7.6% $354,500
Rochester Hills 77,089 $120,694 5.2% $409,800
Novi 66,717 $110,723 5.4% $421,900
Pontiac 62,104 $44,329 24.4% $121,700
Royal Oak 57,950 $101,109 6.2% $328,700
Oak Park 29,318 $71,510 12.0% $212,300
Madison Heights 28,419 $69,503 10.8% $199,100
Auburn Hills 25,105 $84,375 11.1% $245,000
Birmingham 21,763 $153,510 5.1% $698,300

Cities Similar to Southfield

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Wyoming77,353$73,677$225,20025.5%10.5%
Westland83,633$62,076$184,60023.0%14.3%
Kalamazoo73,076$52,272$179,00038.5%24.9%
Taylor62,081$61,081$152,60016.4%18.4%
Dearborn Heights61,771$60,391$185,10023.8%21.9%

Population Overview

Southfield is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Oakland County. The total population is 76,236. It ranks as the 15th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.

Age Demographics

The median age in Southfield is 42.3 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Southfield is $68,166. This is 6% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.3%. This is 22% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 6.9%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $236,200. Housing costs are 2% higher than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 53.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 73.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Southfield is Black or African American, making up 64.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 24.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (24.5%) is well below the state average of 72.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (64.7% vs 13.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.

Education

40.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% higher 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 94.7%. Notably, 18.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Southfield, 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 Southfield, Michigan?

Southfield, Michigan has a population of 76,236 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Southfield, MI?

The median household income in Southfield is $68,166, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Southfield, MI?

The poverty rate in Southfield is 10.3%. This means approximately 7,658 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Southfield, Michigan?

Southfield's population is 24.5% White, 64.7% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Southfield, MI?

The median home value in Southfield is $236,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.

How educated is Southfield, Michigan?

40.7% of adults (25+) in Southfield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.