County · Michigan

Chippewa County, Michigan

Chippewa County, Michigan. Chippewa County had 36,081 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.9% since 2020, while Michigan grew 0.5%. It holds 20 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs, 16 towns and townships and 2 census-designated) and 17 census tracts. GEOID 26033.

Chippewa County is the county of the Sault Ste. Marie, MI micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).

Residents, July 2025 estimate

36,081

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 36,785 · ACS 2020-2024: 36,295

Median household income

$62,217

±$2,143 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875

Median home value

$161,900

±$4,697 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600

Median gross rent

$797

±$34 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129

How many people live in Chippewa County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 36,785 residents in Chippewa County. The Census Bureau estimates 36,081 for July 1, 2025, down 1.9% since 2020, while Michigan grew 0.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 36,295 over 1,559 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 −941 (35,852)
2021→2022 +352 (36,204)
2022→2023 +72 (36,276)
2023→2024 −167 (36,109)
2024→2025 −28 (36,081)

Chippewa County in Michigan. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	Chippewa County	Michigan	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	36,295	10,077,761	−1,334
Households	14,080±360	4,076,369	no clear change
Average household size	2.26±0.06	2.42	−0.17
Housing units	20,348±120	4,622,236	−1,095

Chippewa County's population since 2000

From 38,543 in 2000 to 36,081 in 2025: down 6.4%. 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.

2000 Census 38,543
2005 (estimate) 38,990
2010 Census 38,520
2015 (estimate) 37,998
2020 Census 36,785
2025 (estimate) 36,081

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 Chippewa County?

Chippewa County holds 20 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 16 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Sault Ste. Marie with 13,083 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Chippewa County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Sault Ste. Marie	city	13,337	13,335±29	$55,328	$139,400	17.8%	100%
Kinross Charter Township	charter township	6,139	6,784±66	$61,250	$127,300	21.3%	100%
Soo Township	township	2,966	2,986±18	$79,107	$241,200	5.4%	100%
Pickford Township	township	2,791	1,674±381	$99,688	$167,400	1.7%	100%
Kincheloe	CDP	2,587	2,524±227	$57,644	$110,700	25.1%	100%
Bruce Township, Chippewa County	township	2,000	1,872±283	$85,950	$184,300	5.7%	100%
Bay Mills Township	township	1,567	1,846±197	$60,972	$166,000	12.5%	100%
Dafter Township	township	1,327	1,399±308	$65,588	$161,900	16.0%	100%
Rudyard Township	township	1,289	1,121±166	$64,453	$144,700	9.2%	100%
Superior Township	township	1,276	1,144±166	$72,750	$160,400	14.1%	100%
Drummond Township	township	973	1,155±181	$67,232	$273,200	19.2%	100%
Detour Township	township	671	590±95	$55,463	$226,300	8.1%	100%
Sugar Island Township	township	653	577±102	$67,500	$175,000	11.1%	100%
Raber Township	township	632	597±119	$48,542	$113,200	13.6%	100%
Brimley	CDP	501	345±91	$65,313	$146,400	10.1%	100%
Whitefish Township	township	474	473±72	$75,288	$186,700	10.8%	100%
Trout Lake TownshipGEOID 2603380600	township	332	203±61	$46,500	$129,500	8.4%	100%
De Tour VillageGEOID 2621780	village	263	212±54	$48,750	$237,500	9.9%	100%
Chippewa Township, Chippewa County	township	187	320±111	$51,429	$107,000	12.5%	100%
Hulbert TownshipGEOID 2603339860	township	171	219±77	$54,583	$111,600	7.3%	100%

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 Chippewa County?

The median resident of Chippewa County is 41.6 years old; 17.6% are under 18 and 19.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 67.3%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 13.2%. 2.9% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure	Chippewa County	Michigan	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	41.6±0.7	40.2	+1.1
Under 18 years	17.6%±0.2 pts	21.2%	–
65 years and over	19.6%±0.2 pts	18.6%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	2.3%	5.9%	+0.4 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	67.3%±0.6 pts	72.4%	−2.3 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	5.6%±0.5 pts	13.1%	no clear change
Asian alone, not Hispanic	0.7%±0.4 pts	3.4%	no clear change
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic	13.2%±0.9 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	10.2%±1.1 pts	4.5%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.7%±0.4 pts	0.5%	–
Born outside the United States	2.9%±0.6 pts	7.2%	no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	4.7%±0.9 pts	10.4%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	8.3%±0.8 pts	5.8%	–
With a disability	17.5%±1.3 pts	14.3%	–
No health insurance coverage	5.7%±0.9 pts	4.9%	no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	92.6%±0.9 pts	92.1%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	23.3%±1.8 pts	32.4%	no clear change
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	8.1%±1.1 pts	12.7%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	2.1%±0.9 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 Chippewa County earn?

Half of Chippewa County's 14,080 households earn less than $62,217 a year (±$2,143), against $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 the median was $57,210 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,007 after inflation. 14.0% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Chippewa County	Michigan	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$62,217±$2,143	$72,875	+$5,007
Mean household income	$76,503±$2,794	$98,700	–
Per capita income	$30,655±$961	$40,735	no clear change
People below the poverty line	14.0%±1.5 pts	13.2%	−4.4 pts
Children under 18 below the poverty line	21.0%±4.6 pts	17.6%	−7.8 pts
Households receiving SNAP	13.1%±1.5 pts	13.5%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	87.8%±1.5 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 Chippewa County?

Owners occupy 75.0% of Chippewa County's occupied homes and renters 25.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $161,900 by its owner (±$4,697). The median renter pays $797 a month including utilities, and 36.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Chippewa County	Michigan	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$161,900±$4,697	$231,600	+$15,324
Median gross rent	$797±$34	$1,129	no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	36.2%±5.9 pts	41.4%	no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$1,207±$47	$1,569	–
Owner-occupied homes	75.0%±1.9 pts	73.2%	+7.6 pts
Housing units	20,348±120	4,622,236	−1,095
Homeowner vacancy rate	1.2%±0.7 pts	0.8%	–
Rental vacancy rate	7.8%±3.6 pts	5.1%	–
Single-family detached homes	78.1%±1.7 pts	72.0%	–
Mobile homes	8.2%±1.1 pts	5.0%	–
Built 2020 or later	0.4%±0.2 pts	1.0%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	15.1%±1.4 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 Chippewa County building?

Builders took permits for 86 new housing units across Chippewa County in 2025 (69 single-family), 2.4 per 1,000 residents.

2019 95 units
2020 39 units
2021 58 units
2022 46 units
2023 84 units
2024 55 units
2025 86 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Chippewa County get to work?

76.8% of Chippewa County's workers drive alone and 6.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.2%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Chippewa County	Michigan	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	53.1%±1.3 pts	61.3%	–
Unemployment rate	5.2%±1.0 pts	5.7%	−3.7 pts
Drove alone to work	76.8%±2.2 pts	74.3%	–
Carpooled	9.3%±1.4 pts	7.9%	–
Public transportation	0.8%±0.4 pts	0.9%	–
Walked	3.5%±0.8 pts	2.0%	–
Worked from home	6.5%±1.1 pts	13.5%	+2.7 pts
Mean travel time to work	17.4 min±0.9	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 Chippewa County's census tracts?

Chippewa County is divided into 17 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $40,649 (Tract 9703) to $83,107 (Tract 9701).

Census tracts of Chippewa County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column

Tract 970126033970100	–	3,000	2,981±240	$83,107	$216,800	$429	5.7%
Tract 970226033970200	Sault Ste. Marie	3,062	3,372±310	$43,692	$165,700	$699	15.5%
Tract 970326033970300	Sault Ste. Marie	3,741	3,610±313	$40,649	$156,100	$873	30.4%
Tract 970426033970400	Sault Ste. Marie	2,437	2,460±334	$68,810	$123,000	$817	18.7%
Tract 970526033970500	Sault Ste. Marie	4,097	3,893±345	$63,037	$135,100	$794	10.4%
Tract 9706.0126033970601	Brimley (14%)	2,879	2,499±385	$74,917	$186,600	$1,000	10.6%
Tract 9706.0226033970602	Brimley (7%)	1,883	2,219±211	$60,609	$165,300	$602	15.5%
Tract 970726033970700	–	1,034	1,102±159	$61,200	$161,800	$1,094	10.3%
Tract 970826033970800	–	5,074	3,755±266	$75,313	$157,700	$706	6.9%
Tract 970926033970900	Kincheloe (75%)	3,022	2,980±204	$57,031	$103,900	$855	26.7%
Tract 971026033971000	–	2,767	2,753±311	$78,798	$170,400	$861	5.8%
Tract 971126033971100	De Tour Village (20%)	1,469	1,619±191	$63,636	$257,500	$650	16.0%
Tract 980126033980100	–	0	0±11	not published	not published	not published	–
Tract 980226033980200	–	2,320	1,814±47	not published	not published	not published	–
Tract 980326033980300	–	0	1,238±38	not published	not published	not published	–
Tract 990026033990000	–	0	0±11	not published	not published	not published	–
Tract 990126033990100	–	0	0±11	not published	not published	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 Chippewa County compare with Michigan's other counties?

Chippewa County's rank among Michigan's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	44th of 83
Growth 2020-2025	80th of 83
Residents per square mile	67th of 83
Median household income	50th of 83
Median home value	57th of 83
Median gross rent	60th of 83
Poverty rate	34th of 83
Bachelor's degree or higher	34th of 83
Median age	58th of 83

Every county in Michigan

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 Chippewa 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.