City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

South Lyon, MI

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

11,825
Residents
$83,822
Median income
$280,900
Median home
$1,656
Median rent (state)

South Lyon - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, South Lyon lands in the 65th percentile for household income and the 91st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

65th
percentile, household income
62nd
percentile, home value
65th
percentile, median rent
91st
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: South Lyon, MI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 11,825 residents in South Lyon, a small town within Michigan. The typical household in South Lyon brings in $83,822 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.7%. South Lyon's housing stock carries a median value of $280,900, and the median resident age is 41.8 years. 45.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 67.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 14 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 75% from five years earlier. South Lyon reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 349.7 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,656 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 89.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

11,825 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$83,822 /yr

Poverty 1.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does South Lyon compare to other US cities?

Here's how South Lyon stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 65% higher than other cities
Home value 62% pricier than other cities
Median rent 65% pricier than other cities
Safety 91% 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: South Lyon ranks #18 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares South Lyon against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Michigan only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Michigan-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent is South Lyon's strongest outlier among Michigan cities

Among the 727 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, South Lyon ranks #1 - the 99th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares South Lyon only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#111 of 718
85th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 727
99th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#86 of 721
88th percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#626 of 727
14th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#96 of 727
87th 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.

65thIncome percentile
91stSafety percentile

65th percentile nationally for median household income · 91st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

South Lyon's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

South Lyon'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 64 Avg. percentile National median
South Lyon'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 South Lyon's home value compares nationally

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

$280,900 38th percentile more affordable than 38% 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%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. South Lyon $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 - South Lyon, MI South Lyon, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not South Lyon, 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 South Lyon, MI median $83,822/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%
South Lyon, 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 South Lyon, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 45.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.2%

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

Population
11,825
Median Income
$83,822
Median Home Value
$280,900
Median Age
41.8
Poverty Rate
1.7%
Labor force participation
67.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
45.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
349.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
58.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
291.4
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
10
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
11,600 residents11,800 residents12,000 residents12,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 11,727 residents 12,107 residents ▲ +3.2%
South Lyon's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
14
housing units authorized
Single-Family
14
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 56
2020 59
2021 52
2022 68
2023 44
2024 14

Permit volume decreased 75% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
82.1%
Carpool
5.1%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
0.9%
Work from Home
11.1%
Other
0.6%

Based on 6,477 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 South Lyon sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,656/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
89.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Niles
11,838 people
Fenton
11,950 people
New Baltimore
12,060 people
Farmington
11,472 people
East Grand Rapids
11,394 people
Grosse Pointe Park
11,394 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to South Lyon's 11,825 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Wallington, NJ
11,825 people
Westview, FL
11,823 people
Endwell, NY
11,821 people
Palos Heights, IL
11,817 people
Lawrenceburg, KY
11,838 people
Picayune, MS
11,839 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to South Lyon's $83,822 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Twin Creeks, MT
$83,821 median income
New Berlinville, PA
$83,827 median income
Borrego Springs, CA
$83,836 median income
Lake Seneca, OH
$83,839 median income
Ferndale, WA
$83,839 median income
Hewitt, TX
$83,798 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - South Lyon, 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 South Lyon, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.5% White 91.5% Black or African American 1.5% Asian 2.1% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 4.9% 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 South Lyon 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
South Lyon (this city) 11,825 $83,822
Niles 11,838 $47,815
Fenton 11,950 $83,077
New Baltimore 12,060 $97,027
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about South Lyon, MI?

What is the population of South Lyon, MI? +

South Lyon, MI has a population of 11,825 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in South Lyon, MI? +

South Lyon households earn a median of $83,822 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in South Lyon? +

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

South Lyon has a total crime rate of 349.7 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 South Lyon, MI? +

South Lyon's median home value sits at $280,900, 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.