City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Shepherd, MI

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

1,438
Residents
$76,591
Median income
$147,800
Median home
$1,013
Median rent (state)

Shepherd - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Shepherd places in the 58th percentile for household income and the 78th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

58th
percentile, household income
26th
percentile, home value
21st
percentile, median rent
78th
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: Shepherd, MI

Michigan's Shepherd is a small town, with 1,438 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $76,591 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 14.0%. Shepherd's housing stock carries a median value of $147,800, and the median resident age is 32.0 years. 27.6% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 67.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Shepherd reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 664.5 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: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Michigan at 96.2 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,013 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Michigan's average monthly utility costs around $238 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 66.1 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

1,438 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$76,591 /yr

Poverty 14.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Shepherd compare to other US cities?

Where Shepherd sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 58% higher than other cities
Home value 26% pricier than other cities
Median rent 21% pricier than other cities
Safety 78% 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, Shepherd ranks #63 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 Shepherd'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.

58thIncome percentile
78thSafety percentile

58th percentile nationally for median household income · 78th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Shepherd's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Shepherd'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 71 Avg. percentile National median
Shepherd'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 Shepherd's home value compares nationally

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

$147,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 74% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Shepherd $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 - Shepherd, MI Shepherd, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Shepherd, 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 Shepherd, MI median $76,591/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%
Shepherd, 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 Shepherd, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.9%

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

Population
1,438
Median Income
$76,591
Median Home Value
$147,800
Median Age
32.0
Poverty Rate
14.0%
Labor force participation
67.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
664.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
664.5
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 →
1,480 residents1,490 residents1,500 residents1,510 residents1,520 residents1,530 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,491 residents 1,513 residents ▲ +1.5%
Shepherd's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
88.4%
Carpool
3.0%
Public Transit
0.1%
Walk
5.4%
Work from Home
2.9%

Based on 759 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 Shepherd sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,013/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
66.1 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Colon
1,432 people
Burt
1,430 people
Fowler
1,446 people
Newberry
1,453 people
Edmore
1,417 people
Breckenridge
1,411 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Shepherd's 1,438 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Whitefield, NH
1,438 people
MacDonnell Heights, NY
1,438 people
Beulaville, NC
1,438 people
West Liberty, OH
1,438 people
Hurley, WI
1,438 people
Ethete, WY
1,438 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Shepherd's $76,591 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Douglasville, GA
$76,591 median income
Randolph, NE
$76,591 median income
Wood River, NE
$76,591 median income
Solomon, AZ
$76,587 median income
Kimberly, ID
$76,587 median income
Ravalli, MT
$76,582 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Shepherd, 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 Shepherd, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.1% 8.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.8% White 87.1% Black or African American 1.7% Asian 0.2% American Indian 2.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.2% Two or more races 8.6% 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 Shepherd 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
Shepherd (this city) 1,438 $76,591
Colon 1,432 $53,750
Burt 1,430 $92,596
Fowler 1,446 $72,261
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Shepherd, MI?

What is the population of Shepherd, MI? +

Shepherd, MI counts 1,438 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Shepherd runs $76,591, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Shepherd? +

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

Shepherd has a total crime rate of 664.5 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 Shepherd, MI? +

The median home value in Shepherd is $147,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, 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.