City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Carleton, MI

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

2,635
Residents
$63,826
Median income
$177,800
Median home
$1,326
Median rent (state)

Carleton - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Carleton lands in the 41st percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

41st
percentile, household income
36th
percentile, home value
48th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Carleton, MI

Michigan's Carleton is a small town, with 2,635 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Carleton brings in $63,826 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.9%. Carleton's housing stock carries a median value of $177,800, and the median resident age is 38.8 years. 9.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 53.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 4 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 33% from five years earlier. NOAA puts Carleton's yearly average temperature at 49.5°F with 35.0 inches of precipitation per year.

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). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,326 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Michigan run around $238, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 82.5 out of 100 (High).

Population

2,635 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$63,826 /yr

Poverty 5.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Carleton compare to other US cities?

Here's how Carleton stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 41% higher than other cities
Home value 36% pricier than other cities
Median rent 48% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Michigan-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Carleton toward the bottom of Michigan's cities

Among the 727 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Carleton ranks #616 - the 15th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Carleton only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#301 of 718
58th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#201 of 727
70th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#276 of 721
62nd percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#445 of 727
38th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#616 of 727
15th 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.

41stIncome percentile

41st percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Carleton's home value compares nationally

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

$177,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 64% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Carleton $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 - Carleton, MI Carleton, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Carleton, 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 Carleton, MI median $63,826/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%
Carleton, 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 Carleton, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 9.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.9%

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

Population
2,635
Median Income
$63,826
Median Home Value
$177,800
Median Age
38.8
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Labor force participation
53.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
9.7%

Climate

Avg Temperature
49.5°F
Annual Precipitation
35.0"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,290 residents2,300 residents2,310 residents2,320 residents2,330 residents2,340 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,332 residents 2,302 residents ▼ -1.3%
Carleton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 3
2021 3
2022 3
2023 3
2024 4

Permit volume increased 33% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.7%
Carpool
8.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.7%
Work from Home
6.8%

Based on 1,017 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 Carleton sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,326/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
82.5 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Montague
2,630 people
Mattawan
2,615 people
Franklin
2,610 people
Pleasant Ridge
2,607 people
Croswell
2,667 people
Village of Grosse Pointe Shores
2,589 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Carleton's 2,635 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Palmer Lake, CO
2,635 people
Oakland City, IN
2,635 people
Bawcomville, LA
2,635 people
Healdton, OK
2,635 people
Ninety Six, SC
2,635 people
Lineville, AL
2,636 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Carleton's $63,826 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Cashmere, WA
$63,825 median income
Helena Valley Southeast, MT
$63,824 median income
St. Benedict, PA
$63,828 median income
Pompano Beach, FL
$63,832 median income
Paw Paw, IL
$63,833 median income
West Havre, MT
$63,819 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Carleton, 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 Carleton, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.2% 7.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.5% White 91.2% Black or African American 0.7% Asian 0.2% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 7.9% 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 Carleton 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
Carleton (this city) 2,635 $63,826
Montague 2,630 $69,375
Mattawan 2,615 $82,026
Franklin 2,610 $176,571
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Carleton, MI?

What is the population of Carleton, MI? +

2,635 people live in Carleton, MI according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Carleton households earn a median of $63,826 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Carleton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Carleton; 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.

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

Homes in Carleton carry a median value of $177,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Carleton? +

The average annual temperature in Carleton runs 49.5°F, 35.0 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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

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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.