Lake County, Michigan Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 72nd-largest in Michigan

The population of Lake County, Michigan is 12,393 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 72nd-largest county in Michigan. The median household income is $49,680, the median home value is $122,900, and the median age is 50.3.

The population of Lake County has grown 12.9% since 2010 (11,514 → 13,005), a +0.87% annualized rate.

Lake County within Michigan · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

12,393

Population

+0.87%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$49,680

Median Income

$122,900

Median Home Value

Lake County covers 568 sq mi of land at 21.8 people per square mile.

About Lake County, MI

Educational attainment is the headline number in Lake County: 12.5% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. With 12,393 residents, Lake County is a county in Michigan.

Earnings trail the nation, with the median household making $49,680, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 13.7%, above the national 12.4%. Homes are comparatively cheap — a median value of $122,900, with typical rent around $863.

Lake County is among the least college-educated US counties, at 12.5% — below the national 35.0%. Remote work is below the national 14.0% at 7.3%, and the average commute runs about 30 minutes each way.

Lake County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Lake County had a population of 11,514 in 2010 and 13,005 in 2024, a 12.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 13,005 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.88%.

Lake County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

13,005

Population (2024)

11,514

Population (2010)

13,005

Peak (2024)

0.88%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	11,514	-	-	estimate
2011	11,456	-58	-0.50%	estimate
2012	11,462	+6	+0.05%	estimate
2013	11,395	-67	-0.58%	estimate
2014	11,399	+4	+0.04%	estimate
2015	11,691	+292	+2.56%	estimate
2016	11,861	+170	+1.45%	estimate
2017	11,977	+116	+0.98%	estimate
2018	11,850	-127	-1.06%	estimate
2019	11,752	-98	-0.83%	estimate
2020	12,098	+346	+2.94%	estimate
2021	12,281	+183	+1.51%	estimate
2022	12,665	+384	+3.13%	estimate
2023	12,766	+101	+0.80%	estimate
2024	13,005	+239	+1.87%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	80.1%
Black or African American	8.7%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	3.0%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

50.3

Median Age

45.7%

Female

54.3%

Male

26.5%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

3.8%

5–9

4.3%

10–14

4.5%

15–19

4.5%

20–24

5.3%

25–34

9.3%

35–44

11.6%

45–54

12.5%

55–59

8.3%

60–64

9.3%

65–74

17.1%

75–84

7.5%

85+

1.9%

Children (under 15): 12.6% · Seniors (65+): 26.5%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$49,680$-21,469 vs state
Mean household income	$61,941
Per-capita income	$27,369
Poverty rate	13.7%+4.9% vs state
Unemployment rate	3.2%
Employment-to-population	39.5%

Top Industries by Employment

Manufacturing

19.1%

Professional & business services

15.0%

Education & health care

11.6%

Construction

7.8%

Finance & real estate

7.4%

Retail trade

6.0%

Public administration

5.9%

Information

5.8%

The largest employment sector in Lake County is manufacturing, accounting for 19.1% of workers.

How residents commute

1.1%

Drive alone

2.6%

Carpool

78.5%

Public transit

7.3%

Work from home

30.3 min

Avg commute

Housing

$122,900$-94,700 vs state

Median home value

$863

Median rent

81.2%

Homeownership rate

13,432

Total housing units

36.7%

Occupied

63.3%

Vacant

18.8%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

92.0%

With health insurance

90.2%

With broadband internet

17.4%

Foreign-born

8.4%

Veterans (18+)

25.7%

With a disability

95.4%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

82.6%

High School+

12.5%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Michigan

Detroit (636,644)Grand Rapids (197,768)Warren (138,128)Sterling Heights (133,473)Ann Arbor (121,179)Lansing (112,546)Dearborn (107,846)Livonia (94,058)Troy (87,307)Westland (84,155)All Michigan cities →

Other counties in Michigan

Wayne County (1,773,767)Oakland County (1,272,294)Macomb County (877,624)Kent County (658,844)Genesee County (404,087)Washtenaw County (368,394)Ottawa County (298,614)Ingham County (282,015)Kalamazoo County (261,437)Livingston County (195,143)All Michigan counties →

Part of Michigan

Michigan demographic profile All Michigan data →

Metro areas in Michigan

Detroit (4,367,620)Grand Rapids (1,154,320)Lansing (470,434)Flint (404,087)Ann Arbor (368,394)South Bend (324,180)Kalamazoo (261,437)Saginaw (189,210)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Lake County, Michigan has a population of 12,393 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 72nd-largest county in Michigan. Population density is 22 people per square mile.

The population of Lake County has grown 12.9% since 2010 (11,514 → 13,005), a +0.87% annualized rate.

The median household income in Lake County, Michigan is $49,680, with mean (average) household income of $61,941 and per-capita income of $27,369. 13.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Lake County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (80.1%), Black or African American (8.7%), Hispanic or Latino (3.0%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Lake County, Michigan is 50.3 years. Residents are 45.7% female and 54.3% male.

The median home value in Lake County is $122,900 and median monthly rent is $863. 81.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 13,432 total housing units, 63.3% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Lake County, Michigan is manufacturing, employing 19.1% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.2%.

Detroit is among the largest cities associated with Lake County, Michigan, with a population of 636,644.