County · Michigan
Alpena County, Michigan
Alpena County, Michigan. Alpena County had 28,853 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.2% 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 11 census tracts. GEOID 26007.
Alpena County is the county of the Alpena, MI micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
28,853
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 28,907 · ACS 2020-2024: 28,880
Median household income
$53,950
±$2,679 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$153,900
±$4,690 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$673
±$37 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
How many people live in Alpena County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 28,907 residents in Alpena County. The Census Bureau estimates 28,853 for July 1, 2025, down 0.2% since 2020, while Michigan grew 0.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 28,880 over 572 square miles of land.
| Measure | Alpena County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 28,880 | 10,077,761 | +360 |
| Households | 13,019±276 | 4,076,369 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.17±0.05 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 15,707±85 | 4,622,236 | −349 |
Alpena County's population since 2000
From 31,314 in 2000 to 28,853 in 2025: down 7.9%. 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 Alpena County?
Alpena 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 Alpena with 10,088 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Alpena | 10,197 | $47,545 |
|---|---|---|
| Alpena Township | 9,116 | $52,239 |
| Sanborn Township | 2,084 | $61,827 |
| Wilson Township, Alpena County | 1,972 | $62,143 |
| Ossineke Township | 1,635 | $67,885 |
| Maple Ridge Township, Alpena County | 1,559 | $65,096 |
| Green Township | 1,117 | $55,000 |
| Long Rapids Township | 977 | $60,000 |
| OssinekeGEOID 2661500 | 932 | $59,583 |
| Wellington Township | 250 | $58,125 |
| Hillman | 605 | $36,823 |
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 Alpena County?
The median resident of Alpena County is 47.8 years old; 18.5% are under 18 and 25.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.4%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.2%. 1.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Alpena County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.8±0.4 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.5%±0.1 pts | 21.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.2%±0.3 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.7% | 5.9% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.4%±1.0 pts | 72.4% | −3.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.2 pts | 13.1% | +0.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 3.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.2%±1.0 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.2%±0.5 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.5%±0.9 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.8%±1.2 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 22.1%±1.8 pts | 14.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.2%±1.2 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.6%±1.1 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.3%±2.0 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.9%±1.1 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±0.5 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 Alpena County earn?
Half of Alpena County's 13,019 households earn less than $53,950 a year (±$2,679), against $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 it was $53,367 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 18.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Alpena County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $53,950±$2,679 | $72,875 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $74,418±$5,183 | $98,700 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,583±$2,475 | $40,735 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 18.0%±2.2 pts | 13.2% | +3.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.5%±5.2 pts | 17.6% | +7.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.7%±2.1 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.1%±2.0 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 Alpena County?
Owners occupy 80.0% of Alpena County's occupied homes and renters 20.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $153,900 by its owner (±$4,690). The median renter pays $673 a month including utilities, and 35.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Alpena County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $153,900±$4,690 | $231,600 | +$35,138 |
| Median gross rent | $673±$37 | $1,129 | −$60 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.3%±7.0 pts | 41.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,096±$57 | $1,569 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 80.0%±1.9 pts | 73.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 15,707±85 | 4,622,236 | −349 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.9 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.1%±1.9 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.2%±1.9 pts | 72.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.9%±0.9 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.6%±1.8 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 Alpena County building?
Builders took permits for 72 new housing units across Alpena County in 2025 (38 single-family), 2.5 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 Alpena County get to work?
77.3% of Alpena County's workers drive alone and 7.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.2%.
| Measure | Alpena County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.9%±1.8 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.2%±1.5 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.3%±2.7 pts | 74.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.2%±1.8 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.1%±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 2.2%±0.8 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.8%±2.0 pts | 13.5% | +4.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.5 min±1.3 | 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 Alpena County's census tracts?
Alpena County is divided into 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $35,093 (Tract 6) to $64,267 (Tract 1.02).
| Tract 1.0126007000101 | 1,281±132 | $60,096 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1.0226007000102 | 3,009±314 | $64,267 |
| Tract 226007000200 | 4,089±325 | $61,454 |
| Tract 326007000300 | 3,373±312 | $61,292 |
| Tract 426007000400 | 2,808±309 | $44,737 |
| Tract 526007000500 | 2,027±205 | $46,050 |
| Tract 626007000600 | 3,193±284 | $35,093 |
| Tract 726007000700 | 2,909±304 | $44,505 |
| Tract 826007000800 | 3,271±317 | $59,681 |
| Tract 926007000900 | 2,920±345 | $52,798 |
| Tract 990026007990000 | 0±11 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Alpena County compare with Michigan's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 50th of 83 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 60th of 83 |
| Residents per square mile | 48th of 83 |
| Median household income | 76th of 83 |
| Median home value | 65th of 83 |
| Median gross rent | 80th of 83 |
| Poverty rate | 8th of 83 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 67th of 83 |
| Median age | 29th 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 Alpena 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.