City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Birmingham, MI

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

21,612
Residents
$153,125
Median income
$712,700
Median home
$1,411
Median rent (state)

Birmingham - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Birmingham lands in the 95th percentile for household income and the 77th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

95th
percentile, household income
93rd
percentile, home value
55th
percentile, median rent
77th
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: Birmingham, MI

Michigan's Birmingham is a small city, with 21,612 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $153,125 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.4%. Typical homes in Birmingham are valued around $712,700, and the median resident age is 41.1 years. 76.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 66.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 112 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 81% from five years earlier. Birmingham reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 698.7 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: the state registers 96.2 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,411 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Michigan's average monthly utility costs around $238 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 97.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

21,612 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$153,125 /yr

Poverty 3.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Birmingham compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 95% higher than other cities
Home value 93% pricier than other cities
Median rent 55% pricier than other cities
Safety 77% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Michigan, Birmingham ranks #69 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Birmingham against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Michigan only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Michigan-relative analysis

Median Home Value is Birmingham's strongest outlier among Michigan cities

Among the 721 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Birmingham ranks #7 - the 99th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Birmingham only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#18 of 718
97th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#61 of 727
76th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#7 of 721
99th percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#551 of 727
23rd percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#13 of 727
98th percentile in Michigan

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Michigan only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

95thIncome percentile
77thSafety percentile

95th percentile nationally for median household income · 77th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Birmingham's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Birmingham'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 66 Avg. percentile National median
Birmingham'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 Birmingham's home value compares nationally

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

$712,700 7th percentile more affordable than 7% 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%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Birmingham $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 - Birmingham, MI Birmingham, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Birmingham, 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 Birmingham, MI median $153,125/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%
Birmingham, 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 Birmingham, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 76.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.9%

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

Population
21,612
Median Income
$153,125
Median Home Value
$712,700
Median Age
41.1
Poverty Rate
3.4%
Labor force participation
66.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
76.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
698.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
56.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
642.4
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
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
21,400 residents21,600 residents21,800 residents22,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 21,764 residents 21,923 residents ▲ +0.7%
Birmingham's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
112
housing units authorized
Single-Family
63
detached homes
Multifamily
49
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 62
2020 58
2021 59
2022 72
2023 64
2024 112

Permit volume increased 81% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
66.5%
Carpool
5.9%
Public Transit
0.3%
Walk
1.6%
Work from Home
25.1%
Other
0.6%

Based on 11,174 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 Birmingham sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,411/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Mount Pleasant
21,420 people
Marquette
20,691 people
Adrian
20,493 people
Monroe
20,330 people
Ypsilanti
19,937 people
Waverly
23,301 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Birmingham's 21,612 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Dickinson, TX
21,612 people
South Euclid, OH
21,606 people
Valinda, CA
21,626 people
St. John, IN
21,639 people
Willowbrook, CA
21,642 people
Green Valley, AZ
21,581 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Birmingham's $153,125 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Otter Lake, IN
$153,162 median income
Del Dios, CA
$153,083 median income
Townsend, DE
$153,083 median income
Erda, UT
$153,068 median income
Half Moon Bay, CA
$153,199 median income
Silver Firs, WA
$153,026 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Birmingham, 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 Birmingham, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 84.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.8% White 84.9% Black or African American 3.7% Asian 5.3% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 5.7% 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 Birmingham 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
Birmingham (this city) 21,612 $153,125
Mount Pleasant 21,420 $39,924
Marquette 20,691 $55,825
Adrian 20,493 $42,851
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Birmingham, MI?

What is the population of Birmingham, MI? +

Birmingham, MI has a population of 21,612 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Birmingham is $153,125 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Birmingham? +

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

Birmingham has a total crime rate of 698.7 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 Birmingham, MI? +

Birmingham's median home value sits at $712,700, 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

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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.