City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

St. Clair Shores, MI

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

58,287
Residents
$72,693
Median income
$196,400
Median home
$1,411
Median rent (state)

St. Clair Shores - the verdict

Nationally, St. Clair Shores sits in the 53rd percentile for household income and the 54th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

53rd
percentile, household income
42nd
percentile, home value
55th
percentile, median rent
54th
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: St. Clair Shores, MI

St. Clair Shores is a small city in Michigan, home to 58,287 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. St. Clair Shores households earn a median of $72,693 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.5%. Home values in St. Clair Shores run a median of $196,400, and the median resident age is 43.7 years. About 29.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 61.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 18 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 40% from five years earlier. St. Clair Shores reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1251.0 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: 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 $1,411 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $238 across Michigan, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in St. Clair Shores report an average commute of 24.0 minutes, with 78.8% driving alone and 12.3% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 96.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

58,287 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$72,693 /yr

Poverty 5.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does St. Clair Shores compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 53% higher than other cities
Home value 42% pricier than other cities
Median rent 55% pricier than other cities
Safety 54% 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, St. Clair Shores ranks #129 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

Each percentile compares St. Clair Shores 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 places St. Clair Shores toward the top of Michigan's cities

Among the 727 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, St. Clair Shores ranks #61 - the 76th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares St. Clair Shores only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#206 of 718
71st percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#61 of 727
76th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#229 of 721
68th percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#457 of 727
37th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#200 of 727
72nd 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.

53rdIncome percentile
54thSafety percentile

53rd percentile nationally for median household income · 54th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

St. Clair Shores's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

St. Clair Shores'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 53 Avg. percentile National median
St. Clair Shores'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 St. Clair Shores's home value compares nationally

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

$196,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 58% 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. St. Clair Shores $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 - St. Clair Shores, MI St. Clair Shores, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not St. Clair Shores, 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 St. Clair Shores, MI median $72,693/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%
St. Clair Shores, 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 St. Clair Shores, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 29.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.1%

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

Population
58,287
Median Income
$72,693
Median Home Value
$196,400
Median Age
43.7
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Labor force participation
61.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
29.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1251.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
185.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1065.5
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.

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
57,500 residents58,000 residents58,500 residents59,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 58,761 residents 57,872 residents ▼ -1.5%
St. Clair Shores's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
18
housing units authorized
Single-Family
10
detached homes
Multifamily
8
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 30
2020 6
2021 13
2022 9
2023 8
2024 18

Permit volume decreased 40% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
24.0 minutes
Drive Alone
78.8%
Carpool
6.1%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
0.9%
Work from Home
12.3%
Other
1.3%

Based on 29,829 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 St. Clair Shores 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
96.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Royal Oak
57,880 people
Pontiac
61,914 people
Dearborn Heights
62,099 people
Taylor
62,405 people
Kentwood
54,114 people
Battle Creek
52,392 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to St. Clair Shores's 58,287 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Madison, AL
58,335 people
Hoboken, NJ
58,340 people
Carson, NV
58,364 people
St. Peters, MO
58,200 people
Midwest City, OK
58,170 people
Springfield, OH
58,410 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to St. Clair Shores's $72,693 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Deerfield, KS
$72,692 median income
Seagrove, NC
$72,689 median income
Pensacola, FL
$72,699 median income
Chapman, KS
$72,699 median income
McEwensville, PA
$72,679 median income
Kendrick, ID
$72,708 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - St. Clair Shores, 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 St. Clair Shores, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.5% White 88.9% Black or African American 5.0% Asian 1.0% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 4.5% 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 St. Clair Shores 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
St. Clair Shores (this city) 58,287 $72,693
Royal Oak 57,880 $95,182
Pontiac 61,914 $42,791
Dearborn Heights 62,099 $61,035
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about St. Clair Shores, MI?

What is the population of St. Clair Shores, MI? +

St. Clair Shores, MI has a population of 58,287 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in St. Clair Shores, MI? +

In St. Clair Shores, the typical household earns $72,693 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in St. Clair Shores? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for St. Clair Shores; 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 St. Clair Shores, MI safe? +

St. Clair Shores has a total crime rate of 1251.0 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 St. Clair Shores, MI? +

St. Clair Shores's median home value sits at $196,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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