Standish, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Standish, Michigan had a total population of 1,554, the 355th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $35,395, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.5% is notably above the national average.
Standish Quick Facts
How Standish 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 | 1,616 | 1,554 | -3.8% |
| Median household income | $35,114 | $35,395 | +0.8% |
| Median home value | $86,000 | $97,900 | +13.8% |
How Standish 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+)
Standish Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Arenac County
Cities Similar to Standish
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evart | 1,667 | $34,318 | $105,500 | 13.1% | 35.1% |
| Harbor Beach | 1,582 | $40,809 | $116,600 | 19.4% | 16.3% |
| Grayling | 1,671 | $32,545 | $160,800 | 14.4% | 31.9% |
| Brownlee Park | 1,661 | $31,969 | $83,700 | 11.6% | 42.1% |
| Mio | 1,474 | $40,750 | $90,600 | 18.4% | 25.9% |
Population Overview
Standish is a small community located in Michigan, within Arenac County. The total population is 1,554. It ranks as the 355th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Standish is 37.0 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. 11.4% 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 Standish is $35,395. This is 51% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 56% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.1%. This is 52% 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 8.5%. This is 49% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $97,900. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Standish is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Standish has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.7%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
13.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 85.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Standish, 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.
Free data download: Get all Michigan city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Standish, Michigan?
Standish, Michigan has a population of 1,554 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Standish, MI?
The median household income in Standish is $35,395, which is 56% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Standish, MI?
The poverty rate in Standish is 20.1%. This means approximately 296 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Standish, Michigan?
Standish's population is 92.3% White, 1.5% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Standish, MI?
The median home value in Standish is $97,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Standish, Michigan?
13.7% of adults (25+) in Standish hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.