City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Detroit, MI

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

636,644
Residents
$39,575
Median income
$76,800
Median home
$1,411
Median rent (state)

Detroit - the verdict

Detroit ranks in the 7th percentile for household income and the 2nd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

7th
percentile, household income
3rd
percentile, home value
55th
percentile, median rent
2nd
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: Detroit, MI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 636,644 residents in Detroit, a mid-sized U.S. city within Michigan. The typical household in Detroit brings in $39,575 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 26.9%. Typical homes in Detroit are valued around $76,800, and the median resident age is 35.1 years. About 17.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 46.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 1,919 residential building permits were authorized in Detroit (Building Boom), up 381% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Detroit's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 6086.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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 $1,411 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $238 across Michigan, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 99.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

636,644 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$39,575 /yr

Poverty 26.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Detroit compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 7% higher than other cities
Home value 3% pricier than other cities
Median rent 55% pricier than other cities
Safety 2% 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: Detroit ranks #252 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Michigan-relative analysis

Poverty Rate is Detroit's strongest outlier among Michigan cities

Among the 727 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Detroit ranks #31 - the 95th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Detroit only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#671 of 718
7th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#61 of 727
76th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#671 of 721
7th percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#31 of 727
95th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#406 of 727
44th 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.

7thIncome percentile
2ndSafety percentile

7th percentile nationally for median household income · 2nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Detroit's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Detroit'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 27 Avg. percentile National median
Detroit'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 Detroit's home value compares nationally

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

$76,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 97% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $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. Detroit $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 - Detroit, MI Detroit, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Detroit, 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 Detroit, MI median $39,575/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%
Detroit, 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 Detroit, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 17.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 26.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 46.8%

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

Population
636,644
Median Income
$39,575
Median Home Value
$76,800
Median Age
35.1
Poverty Rate
26.9%
Labor force participation
46.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
17.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
6086.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1781.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4305.3
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
187
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
630,000 residents635,000 residents640,000 residents645,000 residents650,000 residents655,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 638,419 residents 649,095 residents ▲ +1.7%
Detroit's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
1,919
housing units authorized
Single-Family
483
detached homes
Multifamily
1,436
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 399
2020 850
2021 1,023
2022 1,379
2023 1,225
2024 1,919

Permit volume increased 381% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
66.3%
Carpool
11.0%
Public Transit
6.0%
Walk
3.1%
Work from Home
10.1%
Other
3.5%

Based on 223,900 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 Detroit 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
99.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Grand Rapids
197,768 people
Warren
138,128 people
Sterling Heights
133,473 people
Ann Arbor
121,179 people
Lansing
112,546 people
Dearborn
107,846 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Detroit's 636,644 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Portland, OR
642,715 people
Memphis, TN
629,063 people
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY
627,210 people
Las Vegas, NV
650,873 people
Boston, MA
663,972 people
Washington, DC
672,079 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Detroit's $39,575 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Keener, NC
$39,571 median income
Geiger, AL
$39,583 median income
Gazelle, CA
$39,583 median income
Grand View, ID
$39,583 median income
Hanover, IL
$39,583 median income
Kimballton, IA
$39,583 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Detroit, 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 Detroit, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 11.7% 76.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.0% White 11.7% Black or African American 76.8% Asian 1.6% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.7% Two or more races 4.8% 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 Detroit 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
Detroit (this city) 636,644 $39,575
Grand Rapids 197,768 $65,526
Warren 138,128 $63,741
Sterling Heights 133,473 $78,429
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Detroit, MI?

What is the population of Detroit, MI? +

Detroit, MI has a population of 636,644 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Detroit households earn a median of $39,575 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Detroit? +

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

Detroit has a total crime rate of 6086.6 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Detroit, MI? +

The median home value in Detroit is $76,800, 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.