County · Michigan
Houghton County, Michigan
Houghton County, Michigan. Houghton County had 37,842 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.3% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). It holds 29 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs, 14 towns and townships and 8 census-designated) and 12 census tracts. GEOID 26061.
Houghton County is one of the 2 counties of the Houghton, MI micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
37,842
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 37,361 · ACS 2020-2024: 37,693
Median household income
$58,899
±$3,371 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$159,900
±$7,874 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$840
±$73 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
How many people live in Houghton County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 37,361 residents in Houghton County. The Census Bureau estimates 37,842 for July 1, 2025, up 1.3% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 37,693 over 1,009 square miles of land.
| Measure | Houghton County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 37,693 | 10,077,761 | +1,623 |
| Households | 14,305±372 | 4,076,369 | +919 |
| Average household size | 2.33±0.06 | 2.42 | −0.17 |
| Housing units | 18,870±116 | 4,622,236 | no clear change |
Houghton County's population since 2000
From 36,016 in 2000 to 37,842 in 2025: up 5.1%. 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 Houghton County?
Houghton County holds 29 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 14 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 8 census-designated places. The largest is Houghton with 8,560 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Houghton | 8,386 | $43,456 |
|---|---|---|
| Calumet Charter Township | 6,263 | $52,836 |
| Hancock | 4,501 | $59,519 |
| Portage Charter Township | 3,189 | $66,652 |
| Adams Township, Houghton County | 2,540 | $63,914 |
| Schoolcraft Township, Houghton County | 1,992 | $55,327 |
| Torch Lake Township, Houghton County | 1,893 | $69,938 |
| Chassell Township | 1,878 | $75,729 |
| Laurium | 1,864 | $54,167 |
| Osceola Township, Houghton County | 1,822 | $57,120 |
| Stanton Township | 1,590 | $85,800 |
| Franklin Township, Houghton County | 1,507 | $78,155 |
| Dollar Bay | 1,061 | $61,250 |
| Lake Linden | 1,014 | $43,472 |
| Hubbell | 908 | $53,333 |
| Chassell | 876 | $54,148 |
| South Range | 750 | $58,542 |
| Calumet | 621 | $26,667 |
| Atlantic MineGEOID 2603960 | 565 | $55,481 |
| Hancock Township | 500 | $110,875 |
| Laird Township | 487 | $64,250 |
| DodgevilleGEOID 2622500 | 391 | not published |
| Quincy Township, Houghton CountyGEOID 2606166680 | 375 | $72,500 |
| PainesdaleGEOID 2662120 | 336 | $63,750 |
| HurontownGEOID 2640160 | 244 | $61,354 |
| Duncan Township | 234 | $47,188 |
| TrimountainGEOID 2680480 | 212 | $44,673 |
| Elm River Township | 204 | $78,929 |
| Copper CityGEOID 2618080 | 187 | $51,250 |
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 Houghton County?
The median resident of Houghton County is 32.2 years old; 19.8% are under 18 and 18.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.9%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 2.9%. 5.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Houghton County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.2±0.5 | 40.2 | −0.8 |
| Under 18 years | 19.8% | 21.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.0%±0.2 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.8% | 5.9% | +0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.9%±1.0 pts | 72.4% | −1.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.1 pts | 13.1% | +0.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.9%±0.3 pts | 3.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 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 | 1.9%±0.5 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.9 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.3%±1.2 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.5%±1.5 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.7%±0.8 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 11.6%±0.9 pts | 14.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.1%±1.1 pts | 4.9% | −1.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.5%±0.9 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 37.2%±2.1 pts | 32.4% | +4.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 16.6%±2.2 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.3%±0.7 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 Houghton County earn?
Half of Houghton County's 14,305 households earn less than $58,899 a year (±$3,371), against $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 the median was $53,145 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,754 after inflation. 16.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Houghton County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,899±$3,371 | $72,875 | +$5,754 |
| Mean household income | $80,899±$3,550 | $98,700 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,893±$1,708 | $40,735 | +$3,069 |
| People below the poverty line | 16.5%±1.5 pts | 13.2% | −3.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.9%±3.2 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.7%±1.3 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.7%±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 Houghton County?
Owners occupy 71.8% of Houghton County's occupied homes and renters 28.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $159,900 by its owner (±$7,874). The median renter pays $840 a month including utilities, and 46.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Houghton County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $159,900±$7,874 | $231,600 | +$26,124 |
| Median gross rent | $840±$73 | $1,129 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.7%±7.0 pts | 41.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,211±$57 | $1,569 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.8%±1.8 pts | 73.2% | +4.9 pts |
| Housing units | 18,870±116 | 4,622,236 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.2%±3.1 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.4%±1.6 pts | 72.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.2%±0.7 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 37.7%±1.7 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 Houghton County building?
Builders took permits for 170 new housing units across Houghton County in 2025 (119 single-family), 4.5 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 Houghton County get to work?
63.7% of Houghton County's workers drive alone and 11.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.7%.
| Measure | Houghton County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.8%±1.8 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7%±1.5 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 63.7%±2.7 pts | 74.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.1%±1.5 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.4%±2.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 10.4%±2.1 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.0%±2.3 pts | 13.5% | +5.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.6 min±1.0 | 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 Houghton County's census tracts?
Houghton County is divided into 12 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $33,682 (Tract 8) to $78,097 (Tract 7).
| Tract 126061000100 | 3,101±278 | $73,603 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 226061000200 | 3,153±275 | $61,106 |
| Tract 326061000300 | 2,138±237 | $34,511 |
| Tract 426061000400 | 3,144±307 | $48,813 |
| Tract 526061000500 | 4,193±345 | $76,250 |
| Tract 626061000600 | 3,588±296 | $47,649 |
| Tract 726061000700 | 3,139±400 | $78,097 |
| Tract 826061000800 | 7,753±427 | $33,682 |
| Tract 926061000900 | 4,438±436 | $77,361 |
| Tract 1026061001000 | 3,046±274 | $70,508 |
| Tract 990026061990000 | 0±11 | not published |
| Tract 990126061990100 | 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 Houghton County compare with Michigan's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 42nd of 83 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 37th of 83 |
| Residents per square mile | 59th of 83 |
| Median household income | 59th of 83 |
| Median home value | 58th of 83 |
| Median gross rent | 52nd of 83 |
| Poverty rate | 15th of 83 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12th of 83 |
| Median age | 82nd 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 Houghton 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.