Sylvan Lake, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sylvan Lake, Michigan had a total population of 1,705, the 336th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $106,429, which is 46% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Michigan.
Sylvan Lake Quick Facts
How Sylvan Lake 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 | 1,818 | 1,705 | No clear change (-6.2%) |
| Median household income | $104,610 | $106,429 | No clear change (+1.7%) |
| Median home value¹ | $287,739 | $391,000 | +35.9% |
| Median gross rent | $2,107 | $1,113 | -47.2% |
How Sylvan 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
- White: 86.7%
- Black: 2.3%
- Hispanic: 7.4%
- Asian: 0.7%
- Other: 0.0%
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+)
- < High School: 0.1%
- HS Diploma: 13.8%
- Some College: 24.9%
- Associate's: 13.3%
- Bachelor's: 25.2%
- Graduate+: 22.7%
Sylvan Lake Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Oakland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home 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 |
| Southfield | 76,236 | $68,166 | 10.3% | $236,200 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Sylvan Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wacousta | 1,711 | $109,250 | $283,700 | 51.5% | 2.8% |
| Caledonia | 1,671 | $106,250 | $339,000 | 54.4% | 3.8% |
| Lake LeAnn | 1,657 | $89,076 | $266,600 | 32.6% | 4.3% |
| Hemlock | 1,529 | $102,188 | $221,800 | 29.0% | 8.4% |
| Dimondale | 1,521 | $111,042 | $216,400 | 35.3% | 3.2% |
Population Overview
Sylvan Lake is a small community located in Michigan, within Oakland County. The total population is 1,705. It ranks as the 336th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sylvan Lake is 52.8 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 11.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sylvan Lake is $106,429. This is 46% higher than the state median of $72,875. It is also 32% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.4%. This is 59% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $391,000. Housing costs are 69% higher than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 81.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sylvan Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.4%. The Black or African American population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
47.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 99.9%. Notably, 22.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sylvan 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 Sylvan Lake, Michigan?
Sylvan Lake, Michigan has a population of 1,705 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sylvan Lake, MI?
The median household income in Sylvan Lake is $106,429, which is 32% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sylvan Lake, MI?
The poverty rate in Sylvan Lake is 5.4%. This means approximately 92 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sylvan Lake, Michigan?
Sylvan Lake's population is 86.7% White, 2.3% Black, 7.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sylvan Lake, MI?
The median home value in Sylvan Lake is $391,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Sylvan Lake, Michigan?
47.8% of adults (25+) in Sylvan Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.