THE MICHIGAN 276

Rank the
signals.

One dataset, many questions. Rankings use only the standardized core fields already shown on every city dashboard; they do not mix in unverified local records.

LEADERBOARDS

Six ways to read Michigan’s largest cities.

A high rank is not automatically “better.” Higher home values can indicate wealth and affordability pressure at the same time.

Population growth% since 2020 base

01Whitehall10.1%02St. Clair6.7%03Auburn Hills6.4%04Grayling6.4%05Brighton6.1%06Grandville5.9%07Coldwater5.9%08Greenville5.1%09Hudsonville4.7%10Cedar Springs4.5%

Household incomeACS 2020–24

01Orchard Lake Village$206,667 02Huntington Woods$190,150 03Bloomfield Hills$189,942 04Village of Grosse Pointe Shores$189,583 05Pleasant Ridge$171,125 06East Grand Rapids$166,610 07Grosse Pointe Farms$161,208 08Grosse Pointe$158,853 09Birmingham$153,510 10Northville$145,530

HomeownershipACS 2020–24

01Village of Grosse Pointe Shores98.1%02Orchard Lake Village97.0%03Grosse Pointe Farms96.6%04Huntington Woods96.1%05Pleasant Ridge95.6%06Essexville94.5%07East Grand Rapids93.9%08Lathrup Village92.1%09Linden90.9%10Ferrysburg90.5%

Lowest povertyACS 2020–24

01Dexter0.8%02Huntington Woods2.2%03Grosse Pointe Farms2.5%04Pleasant Ridge2.5%05Village of Grosse Pointe Shores2.7%06Grosse Pointe2.8%07Northville2.8%08Gibraltar3.2%09Plymouth3.2%10East Grand Rapids3.6%

Housing activity2025 units authorized / 1K

01Cadillac6.1 02Greenville5.5 03Wyoming5.4 04Sterling Heights5.0 05Ann Arbor4.6 06Ferndale4.3 07Alpena4.1 08Detroit4.0 09Grand Rapids4.0 10Clawson3.9

Most affordable value-to-incomehome value ÷ household income

01Flint1.42×02Norway1.43×03Saginaw1.56×04Iron River1.57×05River Rouge1.59×06Ecorse1.63×07Essexville1.71×08Morenci1.75×09Mount Morris1.77×10Muskegon Heights1.93×

READ WITH CONTEXT

Rankings are a doorway, not a verdict.

Growth

Population change compares the 2020 Census estimate base with the July 1, 2025 Vintage 2025 estimate.

Economics

Income, home value, homeownership and poverty use one 2020–2024 ACS vintage for comparability.

Building

Housing activity divides 2025 units authorized by 2025 population and reports units per 1,000 residents.

Affordability context

Value-to-income is a simple ratio. It does not include mortgage rates, taxes, insurance, rents or household debt.

FAQ / AEO

Michigan city ranking FAQ

Direct answers based on the evidence and methodology used on this page.

How are Michigan city rankings calculated?

Rankings use standardized fields already present on every Michigan 276 dashboard and are calculated only among those 276 cities.

Does a high rank always mean a city is doing better?

No. Higher income or growth can be positive, while higher home values can also create affordability pressure. Rankings are signals, not a composite verdict.

Why use housing units per 1,000 residents?

It normalizes residential permitting for city size, making housing activity in smaller cities more comparable with Detroit or Grand Rapids.

Rank thesignals.