City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Escanaba, MI

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

12,374
Residents
$40,169
Median income
$116,600
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Escanaba - the verdict

Nationally, Escanaba sits in the 8th percentile for household income and the 25th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

8th
percentile, household income
16th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
25th
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: Escanaba, MI

12,374 people live in Escanaba, Michigan - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Escanaba brings in $40,169 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 13.9%. Escanaba's housing stock carries a median value of $116,600, and the median resident age is 43.5 years. 18.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 47.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2353.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 42.2°F with 28.8 inches of precipitation per year and 46.9 inches of snowfall.

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 $973 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $238 across Michigan, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Escanaba workers runs 10.6 minutes, with 74.7% driving alone and 4.9% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 53.1 out of 100 (Low).

Population

12,374 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$40,169 /yr

Poverty 13.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Escanaba compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 8% higher than other cities
Home value 16% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 25% 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, Escanaba ranks #200 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

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

Michigan-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Escanaba near the bottom of Michigan's cities

Among the 727 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Escanaba ranks #576 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Escanaba only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#658 of 718
8th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#576 of 727
0th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#491 of 721
32nd percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#191 of 727
74th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#373 of 727
48th 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.

8thIncome percentile
25thSafety percentile

8th percentile nationally for median household income · 25th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Escanaba's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Escanaba'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
Escanaba'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 Escanaba's home value compares nationally

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

$116,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 84% 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. Escanaba $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 - Escanaba, MI Escanaba, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Escanaba, 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 Escanaba, MI median $40,169/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%
Escanaba, 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 Escanaba, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.6%

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

Population
12,374
Median Income
$40,169
Median Home Value
$116,600
Median Age
43.5
Poverty Rate
13.9%
Labor force participation
47.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2353.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
357.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1996.6
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
42.2°F
Annual Precipitation
28.8"
Annual Snowfall
46.9"

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 →
12,200 residents12,250 residents12,300 residents12,350 residents12,400 residents12,450 residents 202020212022202320242025 12,411 residents 12,257 residents ▼ -1.2%
Escanaba's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
10.6 minutes
Drive Alone
74.7%
Carpool
13.5%
Public Transit
0.8%
Walk
3.2%
Work from Home
4.9%
Other
2.9%

Based on 4,695 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 Escanaba 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
53.1 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Riverview
12,269 people
Melvindale
12,605 people
New Baltimore
12,060 people
Woodhaven
12,761 people
Fenton
11,950 people
Niles
11,838 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Escanaba's 12,374 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Justice, IL
12,372 people
Palmer, MA
12,372 people
Eureka, MO
12,371 people
Conneaut, OH
12,378 people
Valley Falls, RI
12,370 people
Patchogue, NY
12,368 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Escanaba's $40,169 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Wofford Heights, CA
$40,168 median income
Taft, FL
$40,161 median income
Big River, CA
$40,179 median income
Sebeka, MN
$40,179 median income
Gordonville, PA
$40,179 median income
Lewistown, PA
$40,179 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Escanaba, 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 Escanaba, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.9% 10.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.0% White 86.9% Black or African American 0.4% Asian 0.3% American Indian 2.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.1% Two or more races 10.3% 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 Escanaba 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
Escanaba (this city) 12,374 $40,169
Riverview 12,269 $71,783
Melvindale 12,605 $41,356
New Baltimore 12,060 $97,027
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Escanaba, MI?

What is the population of Escanaba, MI? +

Escanaba, MI counts 12,374 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Escanaba is $40,169 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Escanaba? +

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

Escanaba has a total crime rate of 2353.7 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 Escanaba, MI? +

Escanaba's median home value sits at $116,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Escanaba? +

Escanaba has an average annual temperature of 42.2°F, 28.8 inches of precipitation, and 46.9 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 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.