Tawas City, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tawas City, Michigan had a total population of 1,614, the 348th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $46,014, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Tawas City Quick Facts
How Tawas City 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 | 1,654 | 1,614 | -2.4% |
| Median household income | $46,797 | $46,014 | -1.7% |
| Median home value | $124,000 | $138,000 | +11.3% |
How Tawas City 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+)
Tawas City Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Iosco County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Tawas | 2,675 | $42,450 | 15.7% | $130,200 |
| Au Sable | 1,643 | $42,431 | 13.5% | $113,600 |
| Sand Lake | 1,348 | $58,162 | 16.4% | $157,500 |
| Oscoda | 654 | $46,801 | 18.5% | $86,500 |
| Whittemore | 492 | $33,214 | 22.8% | $80,900 |
Cities Similar to Tawas City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Au Sable | 1,643 | $42,431 | $113,600 | 10.8% | 13.5% |
| Manton | 1,511 | $45,982 | $125,000 | 7.5% | 13.5% |
| Harbor Beach | 1,582 | $40,809 | $116,600 | 19.4% | 16.3% |
| Homer | 1,610 | $54,737 | $136,200 | 11.3% | 18.7% |
| Howard City | 1,636 | $54,688 | $151,200 | 7.1% | 23.9% |
Population Overview
Tawas City is a small community located in Michigan, within Iosco County. The total population is 1,614. It ranks as the 348th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tawas City is 47.1 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 12.2% 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 Tawas City is $46,014. This is 37% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is 4% lower than 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 $138,000. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 76.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Tawas City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.0% of all residents. Asian residents account for 3.3%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
19.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 92.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tawas City, 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 Tawas City, Michigan?
Tawas City, Michigan has a population of 1,614 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tawas City, MI?
The median household income in Tawas City is $46,014, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tawas City, MI?
The poverty rate in Tawas City is 12.7%. This means approximately 191 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tawas City, Michigan?
Tawas City's population is 88.0% White, 1.7% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tawas City, MI?
The median home value in Tawas City is $138,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Tawas City, Michigan?
19.3% of adults (25+) in Tawas City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.