City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Alma, MI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Alma - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

9,421
Residents
$50,506
Median income
$108,100
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Alma - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Alma lands in the 20th percentile for household income and the 47th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

20th
percentile, household income
12th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
47th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Alma, MI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 9,421 residents in Alma, a small town within Michigan. Alma households earn a median of $50,506 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 14.0%. Alma's housing stock carries a median value of $108,100, and the median resident age is 32.5 years. About 28.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 54.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 2 residential building permits were authorized in Alma (Building Boom), up 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Alma reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1468.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 47.0°F with 34.5 inches of precipitation per year and 39.3 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Michigan scores 96.2 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $973 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Michigan's average monthly utility costs around $238 (state average). Commute times here average 20.9 minutes, with 75.1% driving alone and 10.7% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 54.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

9,421 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$50,506 /yr

Poverty 14.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Alma compare to other US cities?

Where Alma sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 20% higher than other cities
Home value 12% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 47% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Michigan alone, Alma ranks #152 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Alma's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Michigan, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

20thIncome percentile
47thSafety percentile

20th percentile nationally for median household income · 47th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Alma's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Alma's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 52 Avg. percentile National median
Alma's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Alma's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$108,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 88% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Alma $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Alma, MI Alma, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Alma, MI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Alma, MI median $50,506/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Alma, MI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Alma, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
9,421
Median Income
$50,506
Median Home Value
$108,100
Median Age
32.5
Poverty Rate
14.0%
Labor force participation
54.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1468.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
503.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
964.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
47.0°F
Annual Precipitation
34.5"
Annual Snowfall
39.3"

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
9,250 residents9,300 residents9,350 residents9,400 residents9,450 residents9,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 9,440 residents 9,304 residents ▼ -1.4%
Alma's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 5
2021 12
2022 4
2023 4
2024 2

Permit volume increased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.9 minutes
Drive Alone
75.1%
Carpool
2.8%
Public Transit
1.0%
Walk
8.2%
Work from Home
10.7%
Other
2.2%

Based on 4,170 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Michigan - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$238
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Michigan state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Michigan state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Alma sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
54.1 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Charlotte
9,269 people
Plymouth
9,234 people
Ecorse
9,170 people
Lambertville
9,708 people
Lapeer
9,053 people
Benton Harbor
9,023 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Alma's 9,421 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Charter Oak, CA
9,414 people
St. Stephens, NC
9,409 people
Bastrop, LA
9,408 people
Southside, AL
9,407 people
Wasilla, AK
9,435 people
Ashland, NJ
9,437 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Alma's $50,506 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

North Robinson, OH
$50,511 median income
Port Matilda, PA
$50,511 median income
Alma, IL
$50,500 median income
De Land, IL
$50,500 median income
Hettick, IL
$50,500 median income
West Salem, IL
$50,500 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Alma, MI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Alma, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 12.8% White 88.6% Black or African American 2.8% Asian 1.4% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.3% Two or more races 4.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Alma compares to nearby Michigan cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Alma (this city) 9,421 $50,506
Charlotte 9,269 $63,385
Plymouth 9,234 $111,742
Ecorse 9,170 $45,082
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Alma, MI?

What is the population of Alma, MI? +

The population of Alma, MI stands at 9,421 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Alma, MI? +

Median annual household income in Alma runs $50,506, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Alma? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Alma; the closest available measure is the Michigan state average, a cost of living index of 96.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Michigan vary by metro area.

Is Alma, MI safe? +

Alma has a total crime rate of 1468.5 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Alma, MI? +

Alma's median home value sits at $108,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Alma? +

The average annual temperature in Alma runs 47.0°F, 34.5 inches of precipitation, and 39.3 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.