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2025 ACS Data Show Higher Incomes and Lower Poverty in Michigan

November 06, 2026

The U.S. Census Bureau released the 2025 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year estimates on October 29, 2026. This summary highlights data for Michigan and the United States on real median household income, poverty rates, and educational attainment. These data and data for more than 40 other topics can be downloaded at data.census.gov.

Michigan Population Analysis

Author:

Mark Bauby

Research Analyst

Jaclyn Butler

State Demographer

Alan Leach

Population Projections Specialist

Michigan’s real median household income increased to $75,832 in 2025 but remains below the nation.

Median Household Income (in 2025 dollars)

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Source: Table B19013 and Table CP03, 2025 ACS 1-Year Estimates, U.S. Census Bureau 

Michigan and the nation had statistically significant increases in income from 2024 to 2025. Michigan’s real household income increased from $74,344 in 2024 to $75,832 in 2025, representing an increase of $1,488 or 2.0 percent. The nation’s real household income increased from $83,808 to $84,780, representing an increase of $972 or 1.2 percent. 

Michigan’s real income in 2025 recovered to the same level as 2021. The nation’s real income in 2025 was at its highest since at least 2005. All figures are reported in 2025 inflation-adjusted dollars. 

Michigan’s poverty rate decreased to 12.6 percent in 2025 but remains higher than the national average.

Percentage of Population Living Below Poverty

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Source: Table B17001, Table GCT1701, Table CP03, 2025 ACS 1-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau 

Michigan’s poverty rate decreased from 13.4 percent in 2024 to 12.6 percent in 2025. The national poverty rate decreased 12.1 percent in 2024 to 11.8 percent in 2025. These decreases were statistically significant for Michigan and the nation. 

Michigan’s poverty rate in 2025 was lower than 2022, 2023, and 2024 but was not statistically different than 2021. The nation’s poverty rate was at its lowest level since at least 2005. 

Michigan’s share of the working-age population with a bachelor’s degree or higher has increased over time but remains lower than the nation.

Highest Educational Attainment of People Ages 25-64

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Source: Table B15001, 2025 ACS 1-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau 
 

 

In 2025, 36.3 percent of Michigan’s population ages 25-64 had a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 39.4 percent for the nation. Michigan’s share of the population with at least a bachelor’s degree has increased from 2005 to 2025. However, Michigan has consistently trailed the nation over this period. 

Approximately 10 percent of Michigan’s working-age population had an associate degree as their highest level of education in 2025 compared to 9.2 percent for the nation. In Michigan, the highest academic degree for 25 percent of residents was a high school graduate in 2025 compared to 24.3 percent for the nation. 

The differences between Michigan and the nation’s 2025 estimates in the three educational groups were all statistically significant.

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