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CITY

Ferndale

Michigan · 19,212 residents (2025 est.) · 3.877 sq mi
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The short version

Ferndale is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $94,640. Population has declined 13% since 2000. 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $247,700. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income. Households here earn about 30% more than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 37.3
US median: 38.9
More educated
58% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,190
−13%since 2000
from 22,105 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,950 / sq mi
−13%since 2000
from 5,702 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.3
+11%since 2000
from 33.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:19,212 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
19K20K22K24K26K1990201020202024Ferndale
202419K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$94,640
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,629 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$62,094
+168%since 2000
from $23,133 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
62.7%
+32.2 ptssince 2009
from 30.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 8.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.405
+2%since 2010
from 0.396 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade16.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services10.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration8.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Information7.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade3.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food3.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance2.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$247,700
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $102,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,311
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $617 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
66.6%
−4.2 ptssince 2000
from 70.8% in 2000
33.4% rent
Vacancy rate
5.3%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.1%
−17.1 ptssince 2009
from 31.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
35.2%
−15.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.6
+16%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
84
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ferndale on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.3%(19,971)
Black3.4%(754)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(399)
Asian1.3%(290)
Other0%
Diversity Score16.1%(3,550)
2024
White, non-Hispanic80%(15,349)
Black6.4%(1,228)
Hispanic / Latino4.7%(909)
Asian3%(583)
Other5.8%(1,121)
Diversity Score43.7%(8,385)
Diversity Score
44
+172%since 2000
from 16 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
57.9%
+31.5 ptssince 2000
from 26.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.3%
+11.4 ptssince 2000
from 84.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
21.5%
+13.5 ptssince 2000
from 8.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.2 min
+77%since 2000
from 13.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
65.1%
−18.2 ptssince 2009
from 83.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.0%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
28.1%
+24.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.7%
−7.4 ptssince 2011
from 11.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
79.8%
+6.6 ptssince 2011
from 73.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
62.9%
−7.1 ptssince 2009
from 70.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
50.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
4.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.2%
−46.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.4%
−3.0 ptssince 2012
from 13.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.9%
−73.8 ptssince 2013
from 78.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.1%
+6.5 ptssince 2017
from 85.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2016
from 95.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 1.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Ferndale

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Pop 19,159
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Head to head

Compare Ferndale to nearby cities

FERNDALE VS
Hazel Park
Income$67,073−29%
Home value$158,600−36%
Population14,937−22%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FERNDALE VS
Oak Park
Income$71,510−24%
Home value$212,300−14%
Population29,072+51%
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FERNDALE VS
Royal Oak
Income$101,109+7%
Home value$328,700+33%
Population57,583+200%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FERNDALE VS
Madison Heights
Income$69,503−27%
Home value$199,100−20%
Population28,297+47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ferndale, Michigan?

Ferndale, Michigan has about 19,190 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ferndale, Michigan?

The typical household in Ferndale, Michigan earns about $94,640 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ferndale, Michigan expensive?

In Ferndale, Michigan, the median home is worth about $247,700, and the typical rent is about $1,311 a month.

How educated are people in Ferndale, Michigan?

About 57.9% of adults age 25 and over in Ferndale, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ferndale, Michigan?

About 9.0% of people in Ferndale, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ferndale, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, Ferndale, Michigan has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 5,894 residents, a change of about -23 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →