Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Michigan City, IN Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

31,814

Median Agei

38.8

Race & Ethnicityi

White

61%19,407

Black

23.8%7,580

Hispanic/Latino

8.9%2,817

Two or More

5%1,602

Asian

0.7%214

Other

0.5%156

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%38

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

11.3%2,539

High School Diploma

30.4%6,835

Some College (<1 yr)

5%1,128

Some College (1+ yr)

14.5%3,253

Associate's Degree

7.5%1,675

Bachelor's Degree

13.6%3,047

Master's Degree

5.3%1,200

Professional Degree

0.6%131

Doctorate

0.9%194

HS or Higher

89%

BA or Higher

20.3%

Graduate+

6.8%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$143,100

Median Renti

$967

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

58.8%7,652

Renter-Occupied

41.2%5,356

Total Units

15,312

Homeownership

58.8%

Vacancy Rate

15%

Home Values

Under $50K

5.9%451

$50K–$100K

19.2%1,470

$100K–$150K

28.1%2,153

$150K–$200K

22.8%1,747

$200K–$300K

13.4%1,025

$300K–$500K

5.9%452

$500K–$1M

4%309

$1M+

0.6%45

Rent Distribution

Under $500

347

$500–$750

624

$750–$1,000

1,751

$1,000–$1,250

1,234

$1,250–$1,500

352

$1,500–$2,000

424

$2,000+

140

Year Built

2010–2019

3.7%570

2000–2009

5.6%859

1990–1999

8.8%1,352

1980–1989

8.5%1,306

1970–1979

12%1,832

1960–1969

13.1%2,008

1950–1959

17.9%2,734

1940–1949

6.3%971

1939 or earlier

24%3,680

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

86.9%11,305

Electricity

11.4%1,486

Fuel Oil

0.5%70

Bottled/LP Gas

0.5%66

Wood

0.4%50

No Fuel

0.2%27

Other

0%4

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$53,089

Mean Household Incomei

$70,827

Per Capita Incomei

$29,810

Poverty Ratei

17.9%

Unemploymenti

9.1%

Labor Forcei

13,890

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

7%915

$10K–$15K

6.3%826

$15K–$20K

4.1%529

$20K–$25K

3.6%463

$25K–$30K

4.8%628

$30K–$35K

7.8%1,020

$35K–$40K

4.6%603

$40K–$45K

4.9%643

$45K–$50K

4.2%550

$50K–$60K

8%1,041

$60K–$75K

8.1%1,049

$75K–$100K

16%2,085

$100K–$125K

7.7%1,006

$125K–$150K

5.2%670

$150K–$200K

4.9%635

$200K+

2.7%345

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

858

Residentsi

1,626

Avg. Tenant Renti

$344/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

63 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing184 homes80% occupied$291/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers298 homes61% occupied$466/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8370 homes92% occupied$273/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $53,089/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $16K/yr

78.6%

Very low income$16K–$27K/yr

15.7%

Low income$27K–$42K/yr

5.3%

Moderate / aboveOver $42K/yr

0.4%

Who Receives This Housing

80.8% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

77.1% of subsidized households are minority

17.8% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

22.9% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

9182.9%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

441

Philippines

Korea

Germany

Guatemala

Canada

Poland

India

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

12,433

Avg. Commutei

21.3 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

12,629

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,674(6.6% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

92%Insured

8%Uninsured