City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Pontiac, MI

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

61,914
Residents
$42,791
Median income
$110,600
Median home
$1,411
Median rent (state)

Pontiac - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Pontiac places in the 10th percentile for household income and the 20th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

10th
percentile, household income
13th
percentile, home value
55th
percentile, median rent
20th
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: Pontiac, MI

61,914 people live in Pontiac, Michigan - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Pontiac households earn a median of $42,791 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 19.6%. Typical homes in Pontiac are valued around $110,600, and the median resident age is 35.5 years. About 16.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 55.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 112 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 3633% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2626.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,411 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $238 across Michigan, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Pontiac report an average commute of 20.9 minutes, with 73.2% driving alone and 4.1% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 97.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

61,914 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$42,791 /yr

Poverty 19.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Pontiac compare to other US cities?

Pontiac measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 10% higher than other cities
Home value 13% pricier than other cities
Median rent 55% pricier than other cities
Safety 20% 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: Pontiac ranks #213 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 Pontiac'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.

10thIncome percentile
20thSafety percentile

10th percentile nationally for median household income · 20th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Pontiac's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Pontiac'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 32 Avg. percentile National median
Pontiac'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 Pontiac's home value compares nationally

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

$110,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 87% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Pontiac $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 - Pontiac, MI Pontiac, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Pontiac, 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 Pontiac, MI median $42,791/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%
Pontiac, 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 Pontiac, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 19.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.5%

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

Population
61,914
Median Income
$42,791
Median Home Value
$110,600
Median Age
35.5
Poverty Rate
19.6%
Labor force participation
55.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2626.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
984.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1641.7
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
16
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
61,600 residents61,800 residents62,000 residents62,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 61,840 residents 62,077 residents ▲ +0.4%
Pontiac's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
112
housing units authorized
Single-Family
40
detached homes
Multifamily
72
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 6
2021 5
2022 4
2023 18
2024 112

Permit volume increased 3633% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.9 minutes
Drive Alone
73.2%
Carpool
16.3%
Public Transit
1.1%
Walk
3.1%
Work from Home
4.1%
Other
2.2%

Based on 25,583 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 Pontiac 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
97.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Dearborn Heights
62,099 people
Taylor
62,405 people
St. Clair Shores
58,287 people
Royal Oak
57,880 people
Novi
66,224 people
Kentwood
54,114 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Pontiac's 61,914 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Richland, WA
61,912 people
St. Cloud, FL
61,963 people
Marietta, GA
61,773 people
Florence-Graham, CA
61,723 people
Horizon West, FL
62,152 people
Springfield, OR
61,642 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Pontiac's $42,791 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Union, MS
$42,791 median income
Crossett, AR
$42,792 median income
Jeffersonville, GA
$42,788 median income
Watseka, IL
$42,794 median income
Cherry Creek, SD
$42,788 median income
Second Mesa, AZ
$42,778 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Pontiac, 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 Pontiac, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 27.1% 47.1% 16.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 21.7% White 27.1% Black or African American 47.1% Asian 3.8% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.6% Two or more races 16.0% 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 Pontiac 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
Pontiac (this city) 61,914 $42,791
Dearborn Heights 62,099 $61,035
Taylor 62,405 $59,537
St. Clair Shores 58,287 $72,693
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Pontiac, MI?

What is the population of Pontiac, MI? +

61,914 people live in Pontiac, MI according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Pontiac households earn a median of $42,791 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Pontiac? +

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

Pontiac has a total crime rate of 2626.4 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Pontiac, MI? +

Homes in Pontiac carry a median value of $110,600, 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 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.