City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Rockwood, MI

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

3,189
Residents
$85,391
Median income
$180,000
Median home
$1,411
Median rent (state)

Rockwood - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Rockwood lands in the 67th percentile for household income and the 83rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

67th
percentile, household income
37th
percentile, home value
55th
percentile, median rent
83rd
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: Rockwood, MI

Michigan's Rockwood is a small town, with 3,189 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Rockwood brings in $85,391 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 2.7%. Home values in Rockwood run a median of $180,000, and the median resident age is 42.2 years. About 18.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 56.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 1 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Low Activity). Rockwood reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 547.7 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than 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). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 99.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

3,189 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$85,391 /yr

Poverty 2.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Rockwood compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 67% higher than other cities
Home value 37% pricier than other cities
Median rent 55% pricier than other cities
Safety 83% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Michigan alone, Rockwood ranks #44 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Rockwood 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 places Rockwood toward the bottom of Michigan's cities

Among the 727 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Rockwood ranks #582 - the 20th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Rockwood only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#102 of 718
86th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#61 of 727
76th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#269 of 721
63rd percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#582 of 727
20th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#377 of 727
48th 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.

67thIncome percentile
83rdSafety percentile

67th percentile nationally for median household income · 83rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Rockwood's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Rockwood'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 68 Avg. percentile National median
Rockwood'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 Rockwood's home value compares nationally

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

$180,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 63% 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%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Rockwood $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 - Rockwood, MI Rockwood, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Rockwood, 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 Rockwood, MI median $85,391/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%
Rockwood, 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 Rockwood, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.6%

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

Population
3,189
Median Income
$85,391
Median Home Value
$180,000
Median Age
42.2
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Labor force participation
56.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
547.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
128.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
418.8
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
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,100 residents3,150 residents3,200 residents3,250 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,231 residents 3,132 residents ▼ -3.1%
Rockwood's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
1
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 1
2021 1
2022 4
2023 3
2024 1

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.5%
Carpool
9.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
8.8%
Other
0.6%

Based on 1,360 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 Rockwood 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

Blissfield
3,236 people
Mount Morris
3,130 people
Paw Paw
3,277 people
Gladwin
3,081 people
Harvey
3,080 people
Potterville
3,065 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Rockwood's 3,189 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Old Mystic, CT
3,189 people
Hoosick Falls, NY
3,189 people
Washington Heights, NY
3,189 people
Wesleyville, PA
3,189 people
South Dennis, MA
3,190 people
Comunas comunidad, PR
3,187 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Rockwood's $85,391 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hilton, NY
$85,390 median income
Stem, NC
$85,385 median income
Green River, WY
$85,399 median income
Pawling, NY
$85,405 median income
Lakehills, TX
$85,409 median income
Rainbow, CA
$85,368 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Rockwood, 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 Rockwood, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 85.6% 13.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.4% White 85.6% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.6% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.2% Two or more races 13.6% 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 Rockwood 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
Rockwood (this city) 3,189 $85,391
Blissfield 3,236 $62,386
Mount Morris 3,130 $42,886
Paw Paw 3,277 $38,989
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Rockwood, MI?

What is the population of Rockwood, MI? +

The population of Rockwood, MI stands at 3,189 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Rockwood households earn a median of $85,391 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Rockwood? +

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

Rockwood has a total crime rate of 547.7 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 Rockwood, MI? +

A typical home in Rockwood is worth $180,000, 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.