City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Ypsilanti, MI

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

19,937
Residents
$44,141
Median income
$223,700
Median home
$1,656
Median rent (state)

Ypsilanti - the verdict

Nationally, Ypsilanti sits in the 12th percentile for household income and the 15th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

12th
percentile, household income
49th
percentile, home value
65th
percentile, median rent
15th
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: Ypsilanti, MI

Ypsilanti is a small town in Michigan, home to 19,937 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $44,141 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 19.7%. Ypsilanti's housing stock carries a median value of $223,700, and the median resident age is 27.0 years. Educational attainment runs 45.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 230 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 5650% from five years earlier. Ypsilanti's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3033.5 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not 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). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,656 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $238 across Michigan, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Ypsilanti report an average commute of 19.1 minutes, with 58.8% driving alone and 15.2% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 89.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

19,937 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$44,141 /yr

Poverty 19.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Ypsilanti compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 12% higher than other cities
Home value 49% pricier than other cities
Median rent 65% pricier than other cities
Safety 15% 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, Ypsilanti ranks #226 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 Ypsilanti 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 Ypsilanti's strongest outlier among Michigan cities

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

Median Household Income
#605 of 718
16th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 727
99th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#176 of 721
76th percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#78 of 727
89th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#89 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.

12thIncome percentile
15thSafety percentile

12th percentile nationally for median household income · 15th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Ypsilanti's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Ypsilanti'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 23 Avg. percentile National median
Ypsilanti'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 Ypsilanti's home value compares nationally

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

$223,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 51% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Ypsilanti $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 - Ypsilanti, MI Ypsilanti, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ypsilanti, 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 Ypsilanti, MI median $44,141/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%
Ypsilanti, 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 Ypsilanti, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 45.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 19.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.6%

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

Population
19,937
Median Income
$44,141
Median Home Value
$223,700
Median Age
27.0
Poverty Rate
19.7%
Labor force participation
59.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
45.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3033.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
657.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2376.3
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
31
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
18,500 residents19,000 residents19,500 residents20,000 residents20,500 residents21,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 20,577 residents 19,766 residents ▼ -3.9%
Ypsilanti's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
230
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
230
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
11.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 4
2021 0
2022 0
2023 308
2024 230

Permit volume increased 5650% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.1 minutes
Drive Alone
58.8%
Carpool
8.8%
Public Transit
7.8%
Walk
7.8%
Work from Home
15.2%
Other
1.6%

Based on 9,911 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 Ypsilanti 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

Monroe
20,330 people
Cutlerville
19,465 people
Adrian
20,493 people
Marquette
20,691 people
Ferndale
19,156 people
Haslett
19,025 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ypsilanti's 19,937 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

La Crescenta-Montrose, CA
19,940 people
Claremore, OK
19,921 people
Lincolnia, VA
19,913 people
Mokena, IL
19,906 people
Sand Springs, OK
19,973 people
Whitehall, OH
19,974 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ypsilanti's $44,141 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hattiesburg, MS
$44,140 median income
Long View, NC
$44,156 median income
West Harrison, IN
$44,125 median income
Sharon, SC
$44,125 median income
Selma, OR
$44,161 median income
Brady, TX
$44,163 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ypsilanti, 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 Ypsilanti, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 60.0% 23.4% 9.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.4% White 60.0% Black or African American 23.4% Asian 5.2% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.4% Some other race 1.4% Two or more races 9.5% 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 Ypsilanti 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
Ypsilanti (this city) 19,937 $44,141
Monroe 20,330 $59,532
Cutlerville 19,465 $65,833
Adrian 20,493 $42,851
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ypsilanti, MI?

What is the population of Ypsilanti, MI? +

19,937 people live in Ypsilanti, MI according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Ypsilanti is $44,141 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ypsilanti? +

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

Ypsilanti has a total crime rate of 3033.5 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 Ypsilanti, MI? +

Ypsilanti's median home value sits at $223,700, 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.