County · Michigan
Alger County, Michigan
Alger County, Michigan. Alger County had 8,641 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.2% since 2020, while Michigan grew 0.5%. It holds 11 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs, 8 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 26003.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,641
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,842 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,762
Median household income
$61,286
±$1,930 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$176,200
±$10,899 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$714
±$52 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
How many people live in Alger County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 8,842 residents in Alger County. The Census Bureau estimates 8,641 for July 1, 2025, down 2.2% since 2020, while Michigan grew 0.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 8,762 over 915 square miles of land.
| Measure | Alger County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,762 | 10,077,761 | −389 |
| Households | 3,531±166 | 4,076,369 | +524 |
| Average household size | 2.19±0.10 | 2.42 | −0.51 |
| Housing units | 6,217±28 | 4,622,236 | −474 |
Alger County's population since 2000
From 9,862 in 2000 to 8,641 in 2025: down 12.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Alger County?
Alger County holds 11 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 8 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Munising Township with 2,759 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Munising Township | 2,865 | $62,227 |
|---|---|---|
| Munising | 1,986 | $59,808 |
| Rock River Township | 1,231 | $63,235 |
| Au Train Township | 1,019 | $64,015 |
| Mathias Township | 532 | $46,985 |
| Burt Township, Alger CountyGEOID 2600311960 | 411 | $47,750 |
| Limestone Township | 392 | $57,292 |
| Onota Township | 371 | $85,875 |
| Grand MaraisGEOID 2633440 | 234 | $49,625 |
| Chatham | 193 | $48,438 |
| Grand Island TownshipGEOID 2600333380 | 35 | $109,375 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Alger County?
The median resident of Alger County is 49.1 years old; 14.7% are under 18 and 27.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 81.4%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 7.6%. 1.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Alger County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.1±0.5 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 14.7%±0.5 pts | 21.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 27.2%±0.5 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.8% | 5.9% | +0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 81.4%±0.7 pts | 72.4% | −2.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.6%±0.9 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 3.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 2.3%±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.9%±1.2 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.1%±0.4 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.8%±0.7 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.4%±1.2 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 20.5%±2.4 pts | 14.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.3%±1.4 pts | 4.9% | −4.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.9%±1.2 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.0%±2.3 pts | 32.4% | +3.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.1%±1.0 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Alger County earn?
Half of Alger County's 3,531 households earn less than $61,286 a year (±$1,930), against $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 it was $56,083 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Alger County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,286±$1,930 | $72,875 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $73,201±$3,818 | $98,700 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,895±$1,846 | $40,735 | +$4,234 |
| People below the poverty line | 10.4%±1.8 pts | 13.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.3%±3.0 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.0%±2.9 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.4%±3.2 pts | 90.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Alger County?
Owners occupy 86.3% of Alger County's occupied homes and renters 13.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $176,200 by its owner (±$10,899). The median renter pays $714 a month including utilities, and 16.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Alger County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $176,200±$10,899 | $231,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $714±$52 | $1,129 | −$86 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 16.4%±7.2 pts | 41.4% | −23.0 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,249±$70 | $1,569 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 86.3%±2.7 pts | 73.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,217±28 | 4,622,236 | −474 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±1.0 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.0%±6.0 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 85.9%±1.7 pts | 72.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.7%±1.4 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.9%±2.0 pts | 14.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Alger County building?
Builders took permits for 32 new housing units across Alger County in 2025 (32 single-family), 3.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Alger County get to work?
71.7% of Alger County's workers drive alone and 8.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.8%.
| Measure | Alger County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 41.3%±2.2 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8%±2.3 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.7%±4.6 pts | 74.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.2%±3.6 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8%±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 4.1%±1.7 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.2%±2.2 pts | 13.5% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.9 min±2.8 | 24.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Alger County's census tracts?
Alger County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $59,792 (Tract 1) to $64,484 (Tract 2).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Alger County compare with Michigan's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 77th of 83 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 81st of 83 |
| Residents per square mile | 78th of 83 |
| Median household income | 52nd of 83 |
| Median home value | 43rd of 83 |
| Median gross rent | 70th of 83 |
| Poverty rate | 66th of 83 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 52nd of 83 |
| Median age | 26th of 83 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Alger County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.