City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Imlay City, MI

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

3,706
Residents
$55,061
Median income
$137,800
Median home
$1,411
Median rent (state)

Imlay City - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Imlay City lands in the 27th percentile for household income and the 52nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

27th
percentile, household income
23rd
percentile, home value
55th
percentile, median rent
52nd
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: Imlay City, MI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 3,706 residents in Imlay City, a small town within Michigan. Imlay City households earn a median of $55,061 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 20.8%. Typical homes in Imlay City are valued around $137,800, and the median resident age is 35.3 years. About 11.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 62.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Imlay City reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1303.9 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,411 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $238 across Michigan, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Imlay City report an average commute of 29.2 minutes, with 78.8% driving alone and 1.1% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 66.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

3,706 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$55,061 /yr

Poverty 20.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Imlay City compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 27% higher than other cities
Home value 23% pricier than other cities
Median rent 55% pricier than other cities
Safety 52% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Michigan, Imlay City ranks #134 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison 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 Imlay City'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.

27thIncome percentile
52ndSafety percentile

27th percentile nationally for median household income · 52nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Imlay City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Imlay City'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 47 Avg. percentile National median
Imlay City'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 Imlay City's home value compares nationally

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

$137,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 77% 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. Imlay City $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 - Imlay City, MI Imlay City, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Imlay City, 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 Imlay City, MI median $55,061/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%
Imlay City, 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 Imlay City, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 11.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 20.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.7%

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

Population
3,706
Median Income
$55,061
Median Home Value
$137,800
Median Age
35.3
Poverty Rate
20.8%
Labor force participation
62.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
11.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1303.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
345.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
958.0
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
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,680 residents3,700 residents3,720 residents3,740 residents3,760 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,692 residents 3,753 residents ▲ +1.7%
Imlay City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
29.2 minutes
Drive Alone
78.8%
Carpool
18.2%
Public Transit
1.9%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
1.1%

Based on 1,776 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 Imlay City 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
66.4 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Cedar Springs
3,661 people
Romeo
3,654 people
Plainwell
3,764 people
Paw Paw Lake
3,794 people
Williamston
3,800 people
Portland
3,821 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Imlay City's 3,706 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

West End-Cobb, AL
3,705 people
Echols County consolidated government, GA
3,705 people
Lenwood, CA
3,708 people
Aurora, IN
3,704 people
Mora, MN
3,708 people
Beechwood, MS
3,708 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Imlay City's $55,061 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bethany, OK
$55,063 median income
Princeton, MO
$55,066 median income
Rosebud, SD
$55,066 median income
Pomeroy, IA
$55,069 median income
Moline Acres, MO
$55,069 median income
Dothan, AL
$55,052 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Imlay City, 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 Imlay City, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 66.4% 19.2% 13.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 43.3% White 66.4% Black or African American 0.4% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 19.2% Two or more races 13.0% 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 Imlay City 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
Imlay City (this city) 3,706 $55,061
Cedar Springs 3,661 $56,711
Romeo 3,654 $73,500
Plainwell 3,764 $65,846
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Imlay City, MI?

What is the population of Imlay City, MI? +

Imlay City, MI counts 3,706 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Imlay City, MI? +

The median household income in Imlay City is $55,061 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Imlay City? +

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

Imlay City has a total crime rate of 1303.9 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 Imlay City, MI? +

Imlay City's median home value sits at $137,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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