City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Saginaw, MI

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

43,879
Residents
$37,298
Median income
$54,000
Median home
$1,117
Median rent (state)

Saginaw - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Saginaw places in the 6th percentile for household income and the 7th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

6th
percentile, household income
1st
percentile, home value
30th
percentile, median rent
7th
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: Saginaw, MI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 43,879 residents in Saginaw, a small city within Michigan. Median household income here is $37,298 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 27.0%. Typical homes in Saginaw are valued around $54,000, and the median resident age is 36.2 years. 11.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 47.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier. Saginaw's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 4160.5 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 $1,117 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Michigan run around $238, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Workers in Saginaw report an average commute of 17.8 minutes, with 76.6% driving alone and 6.8% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 88.5 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

43,879 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$37,298 /yr

Poverty 27.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Saginaw compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 6% higher than other cities
Home value 1% pricier than other cities
Median rent 30% pricier than other cities
Safety 7% 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, Saginaw ranks #242 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 Saginaw'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.

6thIncome percentile
7thSafety percentile

6th percentile nationally for median household income · 7th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Saginaw's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Saginaw'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 33 Avg. percentile National median
Saginaw'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 Saginaw's home value compares nationally

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

$54,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 99% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $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. Saginaw $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 - Saginaw, MI Saginaw, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Saginaw, 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 Saginaw, MI median $37,298/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%
Saginaw, 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 Saginaw, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 11.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 27.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.8%

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

Population
43,879
Median Income
$37,298
Median Home Value
$54,000
Median Age
36.2
Poverty Rate
27.0%
Labor force participation
47.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
11.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4160.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
2201.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1959.0
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
45
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
42,500 residents43,000 residents43,500 residents44,000 residents44,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 44,110 residents 42,863 residents ▼ -2.8%
Saginaw'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 7
2020 7
2021 6
2022 1
2023 0
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.8 minutes
Drive Alone
76.6%
Carpool
13.0%
Public Transit
0.8%
Walk
1.9%
Work from Home
6.8%
Other
0.9%

Based on 15,718 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 Saginaw sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,117/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
88.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Midland
42,461 people
East Lansing
45,394 people
Roseville
47,240 people
Lincoln Park
39,511 people
Portage
49,015 people
Muskegon
37,203 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Saginaw's 43,879 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Greenacres, FL
43,871 people
Hicksville, NY
43,868 people
Lompoc, CA
43,819 people
Columbia, TN
43,971 people
Trujillo Alto zona urbana, PR
43,752 people
Hickory, NC
43,747 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Saginaw's $37,298 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Cowan, TN
$37,295 median income
Willacoochee, GA
$37,292 median income
Keytesville, MO
$37,292 median income
Toone, TN
$37,292 median income
St. Francis, AR
$37,308 median income
West Milton, PA
$37,288 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Saginaw, 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 Saginaw, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 39.5% 46.4% 9.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 15.3% White 39.5% Black or African American 46.4% Asian 0.2% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.8% Two or more races 9.9% 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 Saginaw 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
Saginaw (this city) 43,879 $37,298
Midland 42,461 $74,906
East Lansing 45,394 $43,547
Roseville 47,240 $61,222
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Saginaw, MI?

What is the population of Saginaw, MI? +

Saginaw, MI counts 43,879 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Saginaw is $37,298 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Saginaw? +

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

Saginaw has a total crime rate of 4160.5 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 Saginaw, MI? +

The median home value in Saginaw is $54,000, 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 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.