County · Michigan
Sanilac County, Michigan
Sanilac County, Michigan. Sanilac County had 40,083 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.3% since 2020, while Michigan grew 0.5%. It holds 40 places (13 cities, villages and boroughs, 26 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 13 census tracts. GEOID 26151.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
40,083
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 40,611 · ACS 2020-2024: 40,462
Median household income
$58,863
±$1,842 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$168,300
±$2,743 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$807
±$30 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
How many people live in Sanilac County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 40,611 residents in Sanilac County. The Census Bureau estimates 40,083 for July 1, 2025, down 1.3% since 2020, while Michigan grew 0.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 40,462 over 963 square miles of land.
| Measure | Sanilac County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 40,462 | 10,077,761 | −833 |
| Households | 17,516±266 | 4,076,369 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.28±0.03 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 21,756±99 | 4,622,236 | −1,330 |
Sanilac County's population since 2000
From 44,547 in 2000 to 40,083 in 2025: down 10.0%. 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 Sanilac County?
Sanilac County holds 40 places: 13 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 26 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Lexington Township with 3,452 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 Sanilac County?
The median resident of Sanilac County is 45.5 years old; 20.9% are under 18 and 23.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.3%. 1.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Sanilac County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.5±0.2 | 40.2 | +0.3 |
| Under 18 years | 20.9% | 21.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.2%±0.1 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.3% | 5.9% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.9%±0.3 pts | 72.4% | −2.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±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 | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.8%±0.3 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.4%±0.3 pts | 7.2% | −0.4 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.8%±0.8 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.5%±0.7 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 16.4%±1.0 pts | 14.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.8%±1.1 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.6%±0.8 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.5%±1.3 pts | 32.4% | +2.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.2%±0.7 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7%±0.3 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 Sanilac County earn?
Half of Sanilac County's 17,516 households earn less than $58,863 a year (±$1,842), against $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 it was $58,670 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Sanilac County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,863±$1,842 | $72,875 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $77,878±$2,098 | $98,700 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,584±$898 | $40,735 | +$1,745 |
| People below the poverty line | 15.3%±1.3 pts | 13.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.5%±3.8 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.6%±1.2 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.4%±1.1 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 Sanilac County?
Owners occupy 82.6% of Sanilac County's occupied homes and renters 17.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $168,300 by its owner (±$2,743). The median renter pays $807 a month including utilities, and 35.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Sanilac County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $168,300±$2,743 | $231,600 | +$31,447 |
| Median gross rent | $807±$30 | $1,129 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.1%±4.3 pts | 41.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,226±$29 | $1,569 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.6%±1.2 pts | 73.2% | +3.9 pts |
| Housing units | 21,756±99 | 4,622,236 | −1,330 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.6%±1.7 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 82.2%±1.3 pts | 72.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.5%±1.0 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.0%±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 Sanilac County building?
Builders took permits for 74 new housing units across Sanilac County in 2025 (74 single-family), 1.8 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 Sanilac County get to work?
78.0% of Sanilac County's workers drive alone and 8.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.0%.
| Measure | Sanilac County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.8%±1.0 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.0%±0.9 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.0%±1.6 pts | 74.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.2%±1.1 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 3.1%±0.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.1%±1.0 pts | 13.5% | +3.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.6 min±1.1 | 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 Sanilac County's census tracts?
Sanilac County is divided into 13 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $52,131 (Tract 9706) to $66,450 (Tract 9702).
| Tract 970126151970100 | 1,726±158 | $57,292 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970226151970200 | 2,333±160 | $66,450 |
| Tract 970326151970300 | 3,268±391 | $57,941 |
| Tract 970426151970400 | 3,934±205 | $58,346 |
| Tract 970526151970500 | 2,341±194 | $56,835 |
| Tract 970626151970600 | 2,115±238 | $52,131 |
| Tract 970726151970700 | 1,648±264 | $61,774 |
| Tract 970826151970800 | 5,402±397 | $57,815 |
| Tract 970926151970900 | 4,850±289 | $65,610 |
| Tract 971026151971000 | 4,245±303 | $57,292 |
| Tract 971126151971100 | 3,723±308 | $58,452 |
| Tract 971226151971200 | 4,877±302 | $57,841 |
| Tract 990026151990000 | 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 Sanilac County compare with Michigan's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 41st of 83 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 74th of 83 |
| Residents per square mile | 55th of 83 |
| Median household income | 61st of 83 |
| Median home value | 51st of 83 |
| Median gross rent | 58th of 83 |
| Poverty rate | 21st of 83 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 75th of 83 |
| Median age | 34th 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 Sanilac 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.