Vanderbilt, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Vanderbilt, Michigan had a total population of 341, the 606th largest village in Michigan, with a median household income of $53,958, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 4.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Vanderbilt Quick Facts
How Vanderbilt 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 | 398 | 341 | -14.3% |
| Median household income | $56,188 | $53,958 | -4.0% |
| Median home value | $106,500 | $121,200 | +13.8% |
How Vanderbilt 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+)
Vanderbilt Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Otsego County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaylord | 4,357 | $44,701 | 8.0% | $192,800 |
Cities Similar to Vanderbilt
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zeba | 342 | $55,000 | $105,400 | 16.8% | 26.3% |
| Glen Arbor | 336 | N/A | $700,000 | 76.8% | 1.5% |
| Wellston | 353 | $53,333 | $108,200 | 3.0% | 7.4% |
| Akron | 336 | $50,179 | $82,900 | 6.5% | 27.6% |
| Posen | 345 | $46,500 | $79,000 | 3.1% | 28.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 341, Vanderbilt's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Vanderbilt is a small community located in Michigan, within Otsego County. The total population is 341. It ranks as the 606th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Vanderbilt is 54.1 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Vanderbilt is $53,958. This is 26% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.1%. This is 31% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Vanderbilt, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $121,200. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Vanderbilt is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Vanderbilt has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
4.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 86% 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 79.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Vanderbilt, 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 Vanderbilt, Michigan?
Vanderbilt, Michigan has a population of 341 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Vanderbilt, MI?
The median household income in Vanderbilt is $53,958, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Vanderbilt, MI?
The poverty rate in Vanderbilt is 9.1%. This means approximately 31 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Vanderbilt, Michigan?
Vanderbilt's population is 90.9% White, 0.0% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Vanderbilt, MI?
The median home value in Vanderbilt is $121,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Vanderbilt, Michigan?
4.6% of adults (25+) in Vanderbilt hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.