City · Michigan
Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac, city, in Oakland County, Michigan. Pontiac had 62,077 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 61,606 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 62,104 (±48). GEOID 2665440.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
62,077
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 61,606 · ACS 2020-2024: 62,104 ±48
Median household income
$44,329
±$3,375 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$121,700
±$6,744 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$1,063
±$41 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
Where is Pontiac and what county is it in?
Pontiac is a city in Oakland County, Michigan. It covers 19.9 square miles of land, 3,098 residents per square mile in 2020.
Pontiac is in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 6 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Pontiac, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 62,077 people lived in Pontiac on July 1, 2025, up 0.8% since 2020, in line with Michigan (+0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 61,606 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 62,104 (±48).
| Measure | Pontiac | Oakland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 62,104 ±48 | 1,279,825 | +2,149 |
| Households | 25,617 ±882 | 530,460 | +2,642 |
| Average household size | 2.36 ±0.08 | 2.39 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 28,325 ±814 | 561,348 | +1,583 |
Pontiac's population since 2000
From 66,337 in 2000 to 62,077 in 2025: down 6.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Pontiac 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 Pontiac?
The median resident of Pontiac is 36.5 years old; 22.2% are under 18 and 13.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 41.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 24.1%. 12.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Pontiac | Oakland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.5 ±1.1 | 41.3 | +4.6 |
| Under 18 years | 22.2% ±1.4 pts | 20.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.2% ±1.3 pts | 18.4% | – |
| Male | 49.7% ±1.5 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 24.1% ±2.5 pts | 5.0% | +5.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 22.8% ±2.2 pts | 68.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 41.7% ±2.5 pts | 12.7% | −8.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.2% ±1.6 pts | 8.5% | +2.4 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.2% ±1.3 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 12.1% ±1.7 pts | 13.3% | +3.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 22.9% ±2.6 pts | 16.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.6% ±0.6 pts | 4.4% | – |
| With a disability | 19.6% ±1.6 pts | 11.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.5% ±2.2 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.1% ±2.0 pts | 95.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.1% ±1.5 pts | 51.0% | +2.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.8% ±0.9 pts | 22.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.0% ±1.7 pts | 89.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5% ±0.2 pts | 1.2% | – |
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 Pontiac earn?
Half of Pontiac's 25,617 households earn less than $44,329 a year (±$3,375), against $97,760 in Oakland County and $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 it was $41,312 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 24.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Pontiac | Oakland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $44,329 ±$3,375 | $97,760 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $60,069 ±$3,382 | $134,116 | – |
| Per capita income | $26,080 ±$1,254 | $56,696 | +$2,603 |
| People below the poverty line | 24.4% ±2.8 pts | 7.7% | −6.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 35.5% ±5.4 pts | 8.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 30.2% ±2.7 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 92.8% ±1.7 pts | 96.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.0% ±2.3 pts | 94.2% | – |
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 Pontiac?
Owners occupy 46.6% of Pontiac's occupied homes and renters 53.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $121,700 by its owner (±$6,744). The median renter pays $1,063 a month including utilities, and 45.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Pontiac | Oakland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $121,700 ±$6,744 | $343,600 | +$39,120 |
| Median gross rent | $1,063 ±$41 | $1,376 | +$60 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.0% ±4.0 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,223 ±$48 | $1,998 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 46.6% ±3.1 pts | 72.7% | +6.1 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 53.4% ±3.1 pts | 27.3% | – |
| Housing units | 28,325 ±814 | 561,348 | +1,583 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2% ±0.9 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.0% ±1.6 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 61.4% ±2.2 pts | 67.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.5% ±0.6 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7% ±0.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.1% ±0.7 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.9% ±1.9 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 15.6% ±2.1 pts | 5.3% | – |
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 many new homes is Pontiac building?
Builders took permits for 66 new housing units in Pontiac in 2025 (66 in single-family houses), 1.1 per 1,000 residents against 2.3 across Michigan.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Pontiac work and get to work?
72.3% of Pontiac's workers drive alone and 4.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 10.1%.
| Measure | Pontiac | Oakland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.3% ±2.0 pts | 66.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 10.1% ±1.8 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 72.3% ±3.3 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 18.1% ±3.1 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6% ±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 2.0% ±0.7 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.8% ±1.2 pts | 20.2% | +2.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.2 min ±1.0 | 25.8 min | −1.3 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 Pontiac?
18 census tracts lie mostly in Pontiac (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $19,272 (Tract 1422) to $92,560 (Tract 1409).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1414Oakland County | 5,733 | $68,848 |
| Tract 1415Oakland County | 4,904 | $37,030 |
| Tract 1409Oakland County | 4,767 | $92,560 |
| Tract 1416Oakland County | 4,722 | $55,025 |
| Tract 1427Oakland County | 4,303 | $34,858 |
| Tract 1426Oakland County | 3,837 | $58,023 |
| Tract 1424Oakland County | 3,529 | $47,527 |
| Tract 1412Oakland County | 3,387 | $31,033 |
| Tract 1411Oakland County | 3,327 | $37,833 |
| Tract 1413Oakland County | 3,205 | $42,444 |
| Tract 1410.01Oakland County | 3,087 | $57,093 |
| Tract 1417Oakland County | 2,887 | $31,213 |
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 Pontiac) · Census block assignment files
How does Pontiac compare with other places in Michigan?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Pontiac is the 649th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 18th-most populous of 533 in Michigan.
Pontiac ranks 1,295th 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 | 18th | 533 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 592nd | 1,281 |
| Residents per square mile | 64th | 1,356 |
| Median household income | 1,295th | 1,354 |
| Per capita income | 1,243rd | 1,355 |
| Median home value | 1,234th | 1,354 |
| Median gross rent | 449th | 1,212 |
| Poverty rate | 84th | 1,213 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,020th | 1,350 |
| Median age | 1,160th | 1,356 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,336th | 1,356 |
| Work from home | 1,006th | 1,062 |
| Travel time to work | 1,040th | 1,356 |
Pontiac's figures with every place in Michigan (CSV)
Every place in Michigan, sortable · Compare Pontiac 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 Pontiac?
5 of the 57 figures for Pontiac 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 Pontiac 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 Pontiac.