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CITY · 2020 ACS

Pontiac

Michigan · 61,606 residents · 19.885 sq mi
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The short version

Pontiac has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $34,673. Population has declined 7% since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $73,800. At a median age of 33.8, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 41% less than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 33.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 33%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
61,606
−7%since 2000
from 66,337 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,098 / sq mi
−7%since 2000
from 3,336 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
33.8
+13%since 2000
from 30.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
58K62K65K69K72K1990201020202024Pontiac
202462K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$34,673
−26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,207 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,369
+29%since 2000
from $15,842 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
19.2%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
27.9%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 22.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade17.6%
US avg: 10%
Information12.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services3.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.4%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$73,800
−33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $73,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$811
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $554 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
42.5%
−10.2 ptssince 2000
from 52.8% in 2000
57.5% rent
Afford Score
2.1
−10%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Pontiac on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic34.5%(22,875)
Black47.4%(31,416)
Hispanic / Latino12.8%(8,463)
Asian2.4%(1,576)
Other0%
Diversity Score77.1%(51,175)
2020
White, non-Hispanic23.5%(14,448)
Black47.1%(29,046)
Hispanic / Latino21.8%(13,457)
Asian2.3%(1,408)
Other5.9%(3,652)
Diversity Score84.4%(51,999)
Diversity Score
84
+9%since 2000
from 77 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.5%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 10.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
79.2%
+10.3 ptssince 2000
from 68.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.9 min
+50%since 2000
from 14.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
73.4%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 76.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
18.1%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
11.0%
−10.6 ptssince 2011
from 21.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.3%
−0.6 ptssince 2011
from 61.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
20.1%
−36.0 ptssince 2009
from 56.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.9%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Female
52.1%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Foreign born
9.2%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
13.5%
−67.3 ptssince 2013
from 80.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Pontiac

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Pop 56,186
Albany
Pop 66,907
Fort Pierce
Pop 51,737
Youngstown
Pop 58,832
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Head to head

Compare Pontiac to nearby cities

PONTIAC VS
Auburn Hills
Income$84,375+143%
Home value$245,000+232%
Population25,925−58%
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PONTIAC VS
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Income$120,694+248%
Home value$409,800+455%
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PONTIAC VS
Birmingham
Income$153,510+343%
Home value$698,300+846%
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PONTIAC VS
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Income$120,045+246%
Home value$420,300+470%
Population88,733+43%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Pontiac, Michigan?

Pontiac, Michigan has about 61,606 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Pontiac, Michigan?

The typical household in Pontiac, Michigan earns about $34,673 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Pontiac, Michigan expensive?

In Pontiac, Michigan, the median home is worth about $73,800, and the typical rent is about $811 a month.

How educated are people in Pontiac, Michigan?

About 13.5% of adults age 25 and over in Pontiac, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Pontiac, Michigan?

About 27.9% of people in Pontiac, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has Pontiac, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, Pontiac, Michigan has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 9,560 residents, a change of about -13 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 →