City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Inkster, MI

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

25,602
Residents
$39,632
Median income
$75,700
Median home
$1,411
Median rent (state)

Inkster - the verdict

Inkster ranks in the 7th percentile for household income and the 16th 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
16th
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: Inkster, MI

Inkster is a small city in Michigan, home to 25,602 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $39,632 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 29.9%. Inkster's housing stock carries a median value of $75,700, and the median resident age is 34.4 years. About 11.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 51.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 0 residential units were authorized in 2024 (No Permits). Inkster's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2941.3 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: 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 $1,411 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Michigan's average monthly utility costs around $238 (state average). The average commute for Inkster workers runs 24.5 minutes, with 74.9% driving alone and 7.3% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 99.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

25,602 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$39,632 /yr

Poverty 29.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Inkster compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 7% higher than other cities
Home value 3% pricier than other cities
Median rent 55% pricier than other cities
Safety 16% 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: Inkster ranks #222 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 Inkster 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 Inkster's strongest outlier among Michigan cities

Among the 727 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Inkster ranks #24 - the 97th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Inkster only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#670 of 718
7th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#61 of 727
76th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#676 of 721
6th percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#24 of 727
97th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#555 of 727
23rd 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
16thSafety percentile

7th percentile nationally for median household income · 16th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Inkster's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Inkster'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 31 Avg. percentile National median
Inkster'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 Inkster's home value compares nationally

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

$75,700 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. Inkster $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 - Inkster, MI Inkster, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Inkster, 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 Inkster, MI median $39,632/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%
Inkster, 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 Inkster, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 11.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 29.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 51.2%

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

Population
25,602
Median Income
$39,632
Median Home Value
$75,700
Median Age
34.4
Poverty Rate
29.9%
Labor force participation
51.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
11.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2941.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1074.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1866.6
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.

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 →
24,500 residents25,000 residents25,500 residents26,000 residents26,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 25,979 residents 24,959 residents ▼ -3.9%
Inkster's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
24.5 minutes
Drive Alone
74.9%
Carpool
9.9%
Public Transit
3.7%
Walk
0.7%
Work from Home
7.3%
Other
3.5%

Based on 9,676 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 Inkster 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

Okemos
25,503 people
Allendale
25,741 people
Holt
25,275 people
Walker
25,201 people
Norton Shores
25,000 people
Romulus
24,951 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Inkster's 25,602 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Moses Lake, WA
25,594 people
Starkville, MS
25,611 people
South Bradenton, FL
25,585 people
Newberg, OR
25,622 people
Nocatee, FL
25,581 people
Immokalee, FL
25,624 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Inkster's $39,632 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Truchas, NM
$39,632 median income
New Bethlehem, PA
$39,632 median income
La Jara, CO
$39,630 median income
Bonifay, FL
$39,630 median income
Goldsboro, MD
$39,643 median income
Farmington, ME
$39,646 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Inkster, 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 Inkster, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 17.3% 72.4% 7.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.2% White 17.3% Black or African American 72.4% Asian 1.1% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.4% Two or more races 7.5% 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 Inkster 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
Inkster (this city) 25,602 $39,632
Okemos 25,503 $97,603
Allendale 25,741 $68,449
Holt 25,275 $87,827
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Inkster, MI?

What is the population of Inkster, MI? +

Inkster, MI counts 25,602 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Inkster runs $39,632, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Inkster? +

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

Inkster has a total crime rate of 2941.3 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 Inkster, MI? +

The median home value in Inkster is $75,700, 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.