County · Michigan
Bay County, Michigan
Bay County, Michigan. Bay County had 102,123 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.7% since 2020, while Michigan grew 0.5%. It holds 19 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 14 towns and townships) and 28 census tracts. GEOID 26017.
Bay County is the county of the Bay City, MI metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
102,123
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 103,856 · ACS 2020-2024: 103,008
Median household income
$61,763
±$2,526 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$152,200
±$3,642 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$860
±$37 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
How many people live in Bay County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 103,856 residents in Bay County. The Census Bureau estimates 102,123 for July 1, 2025, down 1.7% since 2020, while Michigan grew 0.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 103,008 over 442 square miles of land.
| Measure | Bay County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 103,008 | 10,077,761 | −1,096 |
| Households | 45,103±512 | 4,076,369 | +764 |
| Average household size | 2.26±0.03 | 2.42 | −0.06 |
| Housing units | 48,659±51 | 4,622,236 | +370 |
Bay County's population since 2000
From 110,157 in 2000 to 102,123 in 2025: down 7.3%. 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 Bay County?
Bay County holds 19 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 14 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Bay City with 31,868 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Bay City | 32,661 | $49,420 |
|---|---|---|
| Bangor Charter Township | 14,045 | $60,661 |
| Monitor Charter Township | 10,687 | $76,563 |
| Hampton Charter Township | 9,695 | $51,728 |
| Williams Charter Township | 5,058 | $87,380 |
| Kawkawlin Township | 4,419 | $85,262 |
| Frankenlust Township | 3,672 | $92,685 |
| Essexville | 3,379 | $75,341 |
| Portsmouth Charter Township | 3,224 | $79,310 |
| Fraser Township | 2,994 | $61,571 |
| Beaver Township, Bay County | 2,723 | $89,154 |
| Pinconning Township | 2,299 | $60,625 |
| Auburn | 2,068 | $71,653 |
| Garfield Township, Bay County | 1,693 | $96,571 |
| Mount Forest Township | 1,399 | $64,792 |
| Merritt Township | 1,352 | $88,750 |
| Pinconning | 1,204 | $64,565 |
| Gibson Township | 1,124 | $61,691 |
| Midland | 42,547 | $73,325 |
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 Bay County?
The median resident of Bay County is 43.9 years old; 19.6% are under 18 and 21.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.9%. 1.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bay County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.9±0.2 | 40.2 | +0.5 |
| Under 18 years | 19.6% | 21.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.9%±0.1 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.9% | 5.9% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.2%±0.3 pts | 72.4% | −1.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.2 pts | 13.1% | −0.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 3.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.7%±0.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.3%±0.2 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.3%±0.4 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.5%±0.7 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 16.8%±1.0 pts | 14.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.4%±0.5 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.9%±0.8 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.1%±1.3 pts | 32.4% | +2.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.0%±0.6 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.9%±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 Bay County earn?
Half of Bay County's 45,103 households earn less than $61,763 a year (±$2,526), against $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 it was $60,081 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bay County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,763±$2,526 | $72,875 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $79,153±$2,338 | $98,700 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,602±$936 | $40,735 | +$1,796 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.2%±1.2 pts | 13.2% | −2.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.3%±3.4 pts | 17.6% | −9.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.6%±1.3 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.2%±1.2 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 Bay County?
Owners occupy 77.0% of Bay County's occupied homes and renters 23.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $152,200 by its owner (±$3,642). The median renter pays $860 a month including utilities, and 34.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bay County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $152,200±$3,642 | $231,600 | +$26,669 |
| Median gross rent | $860±$37 | $1,129 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.8%±3.9 pts | 41.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,249±$30 | $1,569 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.0%±1.4 pts | 73.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 48,659±51 | 4,622,236 | +370 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.9%±1.8 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.2%±1.4 pts | 72.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.6%±0.8 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 23.4%±1.3 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 Bay County building?
Builders took permits for 67 new housing units across Bay County in 2025 (38 single-family), 0.7 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 Bay County get to work?
82.1% of Bay County's workers drive alone and 8.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Bay County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.3%±1.0 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3%±0.7 pts | 5.7% | −2.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 82.1%±1.4 pts | 74.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.6%±0.9 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.2%±0.4 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.6%±1.1 pts | 13.5% | +5.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.1 min±0.8 | 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 Bay County's census tracts?
Bay County is divided into 28 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $35,071 (Tract 2865) to $92,685 (Tract 2854).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Bay County compare with Michigan's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 20th of 83 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 79th of 83 |
| Residents per square mile | 15th of 83 |
| Median household income | 51st of 83 |
| Median home value | 68th of 83 |
| Median gross rent | 48th of 83 |
| Poverty rate | 41st of 83 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 43rd of 83 |
| Median age | 43rd 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 Bay 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.