County · Michigan
Otsego County, Michigan
Otsego County, Michigan. Otsego County had 26,080 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.9% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). It holds 11 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 9 towns and townships) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 26137.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
26,080
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 25,091 · ACS 2020-2024: 25,584
Median household income
$68,183
±$4,808 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$219,700
±$9,361 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$1,008
±$83 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
How many people live in Otsego County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 25,091 residents in Otsego County. The Census Bureau estimates 26,080 for July 1, 2025, up 3.9% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 25,584 over 515 square miles of land.
| Measure | Otsego County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 25,584 | 10,077,761 | +1,094 |
| Households | 11,231±358 | 4,076,369 | +1,287 |
| Average household size | 2.25±0.07 | 2.42 | −0.17 |
| Housing units | 14,882±68 | 4,622,236 | no clear change |
Otsego County's population since 2000
From 23,301 in 2000 to 26,080 in 2025: up 11.9%. 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 Otsego County?
Otsego County holds 11 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 9 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Bagley Township with 6,104 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Bagley Township | 5,867 | $77,045 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaylord | 4,286 | $44,701 |
| Otsego Lake Township | 2,857 | $73,073 |
| Hayes Township, Otsego County | 2,725 | $77,629 |
| Livingston Township | 2,652 | $76,625 |
| Elmira Township | 1,714 | $82,143 |
| Corwith Township | 1,708 | $57,308 |
| Charlton Township | 1,350 | $66,813 |
| Chester Township, Otsego County | 1,300 | $73,707 |
| Dover Township, Otsego County | 632 | $103,750 |
| Vanderbilt | 498 | $53,958 |
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 Otsego County?
The median resident of Otsego County is 44.4 years old; 20.8% are under 18 and 22.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.9%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.3%. 1.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Otsego County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.4±0.3 | 40.2 | −0.5 |
| Under 18 years | 20.8%±0.2 pts | 21.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.1%±0.2 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.0% | 5.9% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.9%±0.3 pts | 72.4% | −1.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 3.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±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 | 3.3%±0.5 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.6%±0.6 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.4%±0.7 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.1%±1.5 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 16.1%±1.6 pts | 14.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.7%±1.3 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.5%±1.0 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.3%±2.5 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.6%±1.4 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.3%±0.8 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 Otsego County earn?
Half of Otsego County's 11,231 households earn less than $68,183 a year (±$4,808), against $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 it was $66,866 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Otsego County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,183±$4,808 | $72,875 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $88,599±$4,908 | $98,700 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,321±$1,998 | $40,735 | +$4,804 |
| People below the poverty line | 8.0%±1.5 pts | 13.2% | −5.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.4%±3.3 pts | 17.6% | −9.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.5%±2.0 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.3%±1.8 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 Otsego County?
Owners occupy 77.2% of Otsego County's occupied homes and renters 22.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $219,700 by its owner (±$9,361). The median renter pays $1,008 a month including utilities, and 39.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Otsego County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $219,700±$9,361 | $231,600 | +$48,018 |
| Median gross rent | $1,008±$83 | $1,129 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.8%±8.7 pts | 41.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,319±$54 | $1,569 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.2%±2.2 pts | 73.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 14,882±68 | 4,622,236 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.5%±2.7 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 79.6%±2.1 pts | 72.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.9%±1.4 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.7 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.6%±1.1 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 Otsego County building?
Builders took permits for 25 new housing units across Otsego County in 2025 (25 single-family), 1.0 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 Otsego County get to work?
75.8% of Otsego County's workers drive alone and 10.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.0%.
| Measure | Otsego County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.1%±1.6 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0%±1.0 pts | 5.7% | −1.8 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 75.8%±2.7 pts | 74.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.8%±2.3 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.2%±2.1 pts | 13.5% | +6.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.2 min±1.4 | 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 Otsego County's census tracts?
Otsego County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $52,569 (Tract 9503) to $86,204 (Tract 9502).
| Tract 950126137950100 | 2,794±200 | $64,702 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950226137950200 | 5,579±323 | $86,204 |
| Tract 950326137950300 | 6,126±316 | $52,569 |
| Tract 950426137950400 | 2,258±192 | $70,000 |
| Tract 950526137950500 | 3,809±311 | $76,425 |
| Tract 950626137950600 | 5,018±350 | $79,646 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Otsego County compare with Michigan's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 56th of 83 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 11th of 83 |
| Residents per square mile | 51st of 83 |
| Median household income | 26th of 83 |
| Median home value | 21st of 83 |
| Median gross rent | 21st of 83 |
| Poverty rate | 80th of 83 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26th of 83 |
| Median age | 40th 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 Otsego 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.