City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Ann Arbor, MI

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

121,179
Residents
$81,089
Median income
$435,100
Median home
$1,656
Median rent (state)

Ann Arbor - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Ann Arbor lands in the 62nd percentile for household income and the 31st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

62nd
percentile, household income
80th
percentile, home value
65th
percentile, median rent
31st
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: Ann Arbor, MI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 121,179 residents in Ann Arbor, a mid-sized U.S. city within Michigan. The typical household in Ann Arbor brings in $81,089 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.8%. Typical homes in Ann Arbor are valued around $435,100, and the median resident age is 27.7 years. Educational attainment runs 77.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 58.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 294 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 206% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2018.2 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Michigan at 96.2 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,656 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $238 across Michigan, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 89.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

121,179 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$81,089 /yr

Poverty 6.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Ann Arbor compare to other US cities?

Ann Arbor measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 62% higher than other cities
Home value 80% pricier than other cities
Median rent 65% pricier than other cities
Safety 31% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Michigan and the picture shifts: Ann Arbor ranks #185 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

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 Ann Arbor'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.

62ndIncome percentile
31stSafety percentile

62nd percentile nationally for median household income · 31st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Ann Arbor's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Ann Arbor'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 40 Avg. percentile National median
Ann Arbor'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 Ann Arbor's home value compares nationally

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

$435,100 20th percentile more affordable than 20% 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%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Ann Arbor $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 - Ann Arbor, MI Ann Arbor, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor, MI median $81,089/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%
Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 77.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.6%

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

Population
121,179
Median Income
$81,089
Median Home Value
$435,100
Median Age
27.7
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Labor force participation
58.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
77.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2018.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
302.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1715.7
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.

Schools

Total Schools
42
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
118,000 residents120,000 residents122,000 residents124,000 residents126,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 123,772 residents 122,233 residents ▼ -1.2%
Ann Arbor's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
294
housing units authorized
Single-Family
28
detached homes
Multifamily
266
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 96
2020 254
2021 227
2022 139
2023 222
2024 294

Permit volume increased 206% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
45.6%
Carpool
5.0%
Public Transit
7.3%
Walk
13.1%
Work from Home
26.2%
Other
2.8%

Based on 61,541 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 Ann Arbor sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,656/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
89.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Lansing
112,546 people
Sterling Heights
133,473 people
Dearborn
107,846 people
Warren
138,128 people
Livonia
94,058 people
Troy
87,307 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ann Arbor's 121,179 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lafayette, LA
121,537 people
Rochester, MN
121,638 people
Independence, MO
121,944 people
Berkeley, CA
120,223 people
College Station, TX
122,280 people
Fairfield, CA
119,985 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ann Arbor's $81,089 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

McIntosh, AL
$81,094 median income
Squaw Valley, CA
$81,094 median income
Riverside, IA
$81,094 median income
Gonzalez, FL
$81,080 median income
Quentin, PA
$81,103 median income
Fort Lee, VA
$81,105 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 68.8% 7.2% 15.2% 7.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.4% White 68.8% Black or African American 7.2% Asian 15.2% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.2% Two or more races 7.3% 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 Ann Arbor 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
Ann Arbor (this city) 121,179 $81,089
Lansing 112,546 $52,170
Sterling Heights 133,473 $78,429
Dearborn 107,846 $65,192
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ann Arbor, MI?

What is the population of Ann Arbor, MI? +

Ann Arbor, MI has a population of 121,179 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Ann Arbor, MI? +

In Ann Arbor, the typical household earns $81,089 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ann Arbor? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Ann Arbor; 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 Ann Arbor, MI safe? +

Ann Arbor has a total crime rate of 2018.2 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Ann Arbor, MI? +

Ann Arbor's median home value sits at $435,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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.