Oakland County, Michigan Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 2nd-largest in Michigan
The population of Oakland County, Michigan is 1,272,294 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 2nd-largest county in Michigan. The median household income is $95,296, the median home value is $320,400, and the median age is 41.2.
The population of Oakland County has grown 7.8% since 2010 (1,203,125 → 1,296,888), a +0.54% annualized rate.
1,272,294
Population
+0.54%
Annual growth
1467
People / sq mi
$95,296
Median Income
$320,400
Median Home Value
Oakland County covers 867 sq mi of land at 1466.8 people per square mile.
About Oakland County, MI
Educational attainment is the headline number in Oakland County: 50.2% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. With 1,272,294 residents, Oakland County is a county in Michigan. It is the #2-largest of all counties in Michigan nationally.
Earnings sit at the high end: a median household income of $95,296, above the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 4.9%, is on the lower side for US counties and below the national 12.4%. Home values run above average at $320,400, with typical rent around $1,319.
The population is unusually well-credentialed for US counties — 50.2% of adults have a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. An unusually large 18.0% of workers are remote, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 26 minutes each way.
The education numbers are the throughline: a college-heavy population in Oakland County usually coincides with higher incomes and a workforce concentrated in professional and information industries.
Oakland County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Oakland County had a population of 1,203,125 in 2010 and 1,296,888 in 2024, a 7.8% growth over 14 years. The peak was 1,296,888 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.54%.
1,296,888
Population (2024)
1,203,125
Population (2010)
1,296,888
Peak (2024)
0.54%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1,203,125 |
| 2011 | 1,212,718 |
| 2012 | 1,223,723 |
| 2013 | 1,235,656 |
| 2014 | 1,243,076 |
| 2015 | 1,244,895 |
| 2016 | 1,251,563 |
| 2017 | 1,256,478 |
| 2018 | 1,257,472 |
| 2019 | 1,257,726 |
| 2020 | 1,272,526 |
| 2021 | 1,272,776 |
| 2022 | 1,275,098 |
| 2023 | 1,281,836 |
| 2024 | 1,296,888 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 70.6% |
| Black or African American | 13.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
41.2
Median Age
50.6%
Female
49.4%
Male
17.9%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 16.6% · Seniors (65+): 17.9%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $95,296+$24,147 vs state |
| Mean household income | $130,332 |
| Per-capita income | $55,114 |
| Poverty rate | 4.9%-3.9% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2% |
| Employment-to-population | 63.3% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Oakland County is professional & business services, accounting for 21.4% of workers.
How residents commute
0.3%
Drive alone
1.1%
Carpool
73.4%
Public transit
18.0%
Work from home
26.0 min
Avg commute
Housing
$320,400+$102,800 vs state
Median home value
$1,319
Median rent
72.3%
Homeownership rate
557,978
Total housing units
94.7%
Occupied
5.3%
Vacant
27.7%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
96.1%
With health insurance
96.6%
With broadband internet
15.3%
Foreign-born
4.7%
Veterans (18+)
11.4%
With a disability
84.2%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
94.9%
High School+
50.2%
Bachelor's+
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County rankings
Common questions about Oakland County, MI
Frequently Asked Questions
Oakland County, Michigan has a population of 1,272,294 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 2nd-largest county in Michigan. Population density is 1467 people per square mile.
The population of Oakland County has grown 7.8% since 2010 (1,203,125 → 1,296,888), a +0.54% annualized rate.
The median household income in Oakland County, Michigan is $95,296, with mean (average) household income of $130,332 and per-capita income of $55,114. 4.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Oakland County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (70.6%), Black or African American (13.0%), Hispanic or Latino (1.0%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Oakland County, Michigan is 41.2 years. Residents are 50.6% female and 49.4% male.
The median home value in Oakland County is $320,400 and median monthly rent is $1,319. 72.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 557,978 total housing units, 5.3% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Oakland County, Michigan is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 21.4% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.2%.
Detroit is among the largest cities associated with Oakland County, Michigan, with a population of 636,644.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.