Wellston, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wellston, Michigan had a total population of 353, the 598th largest community in Michigan, with a median household income of $53,333, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Only 3.0% 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 2.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 21.1% is notably above the national average.
Wellston Quick Facts
How Wellston 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 | 246 | 353 | No clear change (+43.5%) |
| Median household income | $39,559 | $53,333 | No clear change (+34.8%) |
| Median home value¹ | $72,981 | $108,200 | No clear change (+48.3%) |
| Median gross rent | $642 | $769 | No clear change (+19.7%) |
How Wellston 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: 90.4%
- Black: 6.2%
- Hispanic: 0.0%
- Asian: 0.0%
- 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: 31.8%
- HS Diploma: 39.1%
- Some College: 19.3%
- Associate's: 6.9%
- Bachelor's: 1.3%
- Graduate+: 1.7%
Wellston Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Manistee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manistee | 6,275 | $60,541 | 16.8% | $164,100 |
| Parkdale | 573 | $45,000 | 27.1% | $122,100 |
| Kaleva | 542 | $43,125 | 34.6% | $94,200 |
| Oak Hill | 519 | $59,115 | 2.1% | $126,900 |
| Brethren | 318 | $52,083 | 18.2% | $152,200 |
| Eastlake | 318 | $50,139 | 7.5% | $122,400 |
| Onekama | 305 | $32,969 | 3.6% | $185,300 |
| Bear Lake (Manistee County) | 264 | $63,281 | 5.0% | $155,400 |
| Copemish | 255 | $46,250 | 10.2% | $77,400 |
| Filer City | 178 | $47,083 | 2.8% | $96,100 |
Cities Similar to Wellston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt | 341 | $53,958 | $121,200 | 4.6% | 9.1% |
| Zeba | 342 | $55,000 | $105,400 | 16.8% | 26.3% |
| Glen Arbor | 336 | N/A | $700,000 | 76.8% | 1.5% |
| Rothbury | 356 | $49,063 | $131,500 | 15.3% | 14.6% |
| Akron | 336 | $50,179 | $82,900 | 6.5% | 27.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 353, Wellston'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
Wellston is a small community located in Michigan, within Manistee County. The total population is 353. It ranks as the 598th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wellston is 34.6 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wellston is $53,333. This is 27% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.4%. This is 44% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 21.1%. This is 271% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $108,200. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Wellston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 89.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wellston has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.2%. The Black or African American population (6.2%) is well below the state average of 13.1%.
Education
3.0% 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 91% 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 68.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wellston, 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 Wellston, Michigan?
Wellston, Michigan has a population of 353 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wellston, MI?
The median household income in Wellston is $53,333, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wellston, MI?
The poverty rate in Wellston is 7.4%. This means approximately 26 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wellston, Michigan?
Wellston's population is 90.4% White, 6.2% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wellston, MI?
The median home value in Wellston is $108,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Wellston, Michigan?
3.0% of adults (25+) in Wellston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.