City · Michigan
Gaylord, Michigan
Gaylord, city, in Otsego County, Michigan. Gaylord had 4,444 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 4,286 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 4,357 (±18). GEOID 2631720.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
4,444
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 4,286 · ACS 2020-2024: 4,357 ±18
Median household income
$44,701
±$10,702 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$192,800
±$53,659 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$977
±$103 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
Where is Gaylord and what county is it in?
Gaylord is a city in Otsego County, Michigan. It covers 5.2 square miles of land, 823 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Gaylord, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 4,444 people lived in Gaylord on July 1, 2025, up 3.7% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 4,286 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 4,357 (±18).
| Measure | Gaylord | Otsego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 4,357 ±18 | 25,584 | +694 |
| Households | 2,306 ±191 | 11,231 | +514 |
| Average household size | 1.81 ±0.15 | 2.25 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,401 ±189 | 14,882 | +483 |
Gaylord's population since 2000
From 3,681 in 2000 to 4,444 in 2025: up 20.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Gaylord as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Gaylord?
The median resident of Gaylord is 40.0 years old; 18.2% are under 18 and 20.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.8%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.3%.
| Measure | Gaylord | Otsego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.0 ±5.2 | 44.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.2% ±4.7 pts | 20.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.8% ±5.8 pts | 22.1% | – |
| Male | 45.5% ±5.4 pts | 50.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.8% ±0.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.8% ±3.0 pts | 92.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±1.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±1.8 pts | 0.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3% ±2.2 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.3% ±2.1 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.1% ±2.1 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.8% ±5.7 pts | 10.1% | – |
| With a disability | 19.1% ±4.1 pts | 16.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.2% ±6.1 pts | 5.7% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.2% ±5.1 pts | 94.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.7% ±7.1 pts | 26.3% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.8% ±3.5 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 82.4% ±5.8 pts | 88.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.5% ±3.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Gaylord earn?
Half of Gaylord's 2,306 households earn less than $44,701 a year (±$10,702), against $68,183 in Otsego County and $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 it was $39,745 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Gaylord | Otsego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $44,701 ±$10,702 | $68,183 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $58,309 ±$9,449 | $88,599 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,636 ±$4,720 | $38,321 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.0% ±3.7 pts | 8.0% | −11.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 3.4% ±4.9 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.9% ±7.9 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.2% ±3.7 pts | 96.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.0% ±6.0 pts | 91.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Gaylord?
Owners occupy 30.9% of Gaylord's occupied homes and renters 69.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $192,800 by its owner (±$53,659). The median renter pays $977 a month including utilities, and 39.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Gaylord | Otsego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $192,800 ±$53,659 | $219,700 | +$75,884 |
| Median gross rent | $977 ±$103 | $1,008 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.0% ±11.8 pts | 39.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,218 ±$118 | $1,319 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 30.9% ±7.0 pts | 77.2% | −11.1 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 69.1% ±7.0 pts | 22.8% | – |
| Housing units | 2,401 ±189 | 14,882 | +483 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±4.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.9 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 41.1% ±8.5 pts | 79.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.0% ±3.3 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.2% ±3.9 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 15.0% ±8.0 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.2% ±4.7 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 10.2% ±6.5 pts | 4.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Gaylord work and get to work?
67.9% of Gaylord's workers drive alone and 13.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.1 minutes.
| Measure | Gaylord | Otsego County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.8% ±6.5 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1% ±2.5 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 67.9% ±8.7 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.3% ±6.7 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.8% ±2.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.2% ±2.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.0% ±8.4 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.1 min ±4.2 | 20.2 min | +6.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Gaylord?
1 census tract lies mostly in Gaylord, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9503Otsego County | 6,126 | $52,569 |
| Tract 9502Otsego County | 5,579 | $86,204 |
| Tract 9506Otsego County | 5,018 | $79,646 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Gaylord) · Census block assignment files
How does Gaylord compare with other places in Michigan?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Gaylord is the 5,242nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 165th-most populous of 533 in Michigan.
Gaylord ranks 1,287th of 1,354 places in Michigan with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 165th | 533 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 185th | 1,281 |
| Residents per square mile | 392nd | 1,356 |
| Median household income | 1,287th | 1,354 |
| Per capita income | 1,047th | 1,355 |
| Median home value | 744th | 1,354 |
| Median gross rent | 598th | 1,212 |
| Poverty rate | 807th | 1,213 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 585th | 1,350 |
| Median age | 944th | 1,356 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,356th | 1,356 |
| Work from home | 351st | 1,062 |
| Travel time to work | 1,230th | 1,356 |
Gaylord's figures with every place in Michigan (CSV)
Every place in Michigan, sortable · Compare Gaylord with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Gaylord?
20 of the 57 figures for Gaylord on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Gaylord are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Gaylord.