Wolf Lake, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wolf Lake, Michigan had a total population of 4,654, the 187th largest community in Michigan, with a median household income of $51,637, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 2.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Wolf Lake Quick Facts
How Wolf Lake 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 | 4,802 | 4,654 | -3.1% |
| Median household income | $49,005 | $51,637 | +5.4% |
| Median home value | $99,800 | $131,400 | +31.7% |
How Wolf 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
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+)
Wolf Lake Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Muskegon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskegon | 37,226 | $44,735 | 24.9% | $142,300 |
| Norton Shores | 25,041 | $76,579 | 6.5% | $234,800 |
| Muskegon Heights | 9,841 | $35,239 | 34.1% | $68,000 |
| Roosevelt Park | 4,144 | $62,857 | 12.1% | $193,300 |
| North Muskegon | 4,098 | $104,659 | 5.0% | $264,200 |
| Whitehall | 3,024 | $61,169 | 16.3% | $212,600 |
| Montague | 2,531 | $66,750 | 4.8% | $202,200 |
| Twin Lake | 2,036 | $84,950 | 5.0% | $250,600 |
| Ravenna | 1,540 | $77,857 | 6.3% | $204,300 |
| Lakewood Club | 1,255 | $71,518 | 11.4% | $157,300 |
Cities Similar to Wolf Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fremont | 4,568 | $57,452 | $194,700 | 29.4% | 8.7% |
| Hancock | 4,574 | $59,519 | $165,600 | 44.6% | 19.1% |
| Davison | 5,076 | $48,814 | $181,200 | 24.1% | 16.1% |
| Allegan | 5,172 | $52,925 | $176,600 | 17.9% | 13.9% |
| Vandercook Lake | 4,375 | $59,262 | $136,600 | 18.7% | 7.0% |
Population Overview
Wolf Lake is a small community located in Michigan, within Muskegon County. The total population is 4,654. It ranks as the 187th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wolf Lake is 37.4 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wolf Lake is $51,637. This is 29% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.1%. This is 7% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 8.2%. This is 45% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $131,400. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Wolf Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 93.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wolf Lake is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.4%. The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 13.1%.
Education
2.1% 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 94% 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 84.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wolf 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.
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 Wolf Lake, Michigan?
Wolf Lake, Michigan has a population of 4,654 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wolf Lake, MI?
The median household income in Wolf Lake is $51,637, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wolf Lake, MI?
The poverty rate in Wolf Lake is 14.1%. This means approximately 656 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wolf Lake, Michigan?
Wolf Lake's population is 82.8% White, 2.0% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wolf Lake, MI?
The median home value in Wolf Lake is $131,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Wolf Lake, Michigan?
2.1% of adults (25+) in Wolf Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.