City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Hillsdale, MI

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

8,013
Residents
$47,817
Median income
$131,300
Median home
$1,002
Median rent (state)

Hillsdale - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Hillsdale lands in the 16th percentile for household income and the 67th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

16th
percentile, household income
21st
percentile, home value
20th
percentile, median rent
67th
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: Hillsdale, MI

Hillsdale is a small town in Michigan, home to 8,013 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $47,817 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 16.3%. Typical homes in Hillsdale are valued around $131,300, and the median resident age is 30.1 years. 25.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 59.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Hillsdale reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 926.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Hillsdale's yearly average temperature at 47.9°F with 39.5 inches of precipitation per year and 44.1 inches of snowfall.

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 $1,002 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Michigan run around $238, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 50.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

8,013 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$47,817 /yr

Poverty 16.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Hillsdale compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 16% higher than other cities
Home value 21% pricier than other cities
Median rent 20% pricier than other cities
Safety 67% 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: Hillsdale ranks #94 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Hillsdale's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Michigan, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

16thIncome percentile
67thSafety percentile

16th percentile nationally for median household income · 67th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Hillsdale's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Hillsdale'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 54 Avg. percentile National median
Hillsdale'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 Hillsdale's home value compares nationally

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

$131,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 79% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Hillsdale $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 - Hillsdale, MI Hillsdale, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Hillsdale, 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 Hillsdale, MI median $47,817/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%
Hillsdale, 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 Hillsdale, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.8%

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

Population
8,013
Median Income
$47,817
Median Home Value
$131,300
Median Age
30.1
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Labor force participation
59.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
926.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
288.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
638.6
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
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
39.5"
Annual Snowfall
44.1"

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
7,960 residents7,980 residents8,000 residents8,020 residents8,040 residents 202020212022202320242025 8,029 residents 8,002 residents ▼ -0.3%
Hillsdale's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
63.7%
Carpool
9.1%
Public Transit
0.3%
Walk
16.4%
Work from Home
6.6%
Other
3.9%

Based on 3,830 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 Hillsdale sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,002/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
50.0 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Grand Blanc
7,995 people
Whitmore Lake
8,083 people
Three Rivers
7,936 people
Big Rapids
7,847 people
St. Joseph
7,805 people
Grand Ledge
7,797 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Hillsdale's 8,013 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Carnegie, PA
8,015 people
Kaufman, TX
8,010 people
Newport, AR
8,019 people
Timnath, CO
8,007 people
North Bay, FL
8,004 people
Parkville, MO
8,022 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Hillsdale's $47,817 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Cumberland, MD
$47,819 median income
Barnes City, IA
$47,813 median income
Oberlin, KS
$47,813 median income
Ponchatoula, LA
$47,821 median income
Kingsville, OH
$47,813 median income
Brownwood, TX
$47,821 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Hillsdale, 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 Hillsdale, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.7% White 90.5% Black or African American 1.8% Asian 0.6% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.6% Two or more races 5.5% 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 Hillsdale 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
Hillsdale (this city) 8,013 $47,817
Grand Blanc 7,995 $67,284
Whitmore Lake 8,083 $78,038
Three Rivers 7,936 $48,852
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Hillsdale, MI?

What is the population of Hillsdale, MI? +

8,013 people live in Hillsdale, MI according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Hillsdale is $47,817 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Hillsdale? +

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

Hillsdale has a total crime rate of 926.6 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 Hillsdale, MI? +

Hillsdale's median home value sits at $131,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Hillsdale? +

Hillsdale has an average annual temperature of 47.9°F, 39.5 inches of precipitation, and 44.1 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 Editorial

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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.