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.

Shepherd, MI Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

1,457

Median Agei

32.9

Race & Ethnicityi

White

85.9%1,252

Two or More

5.8%84

Hispanic/Latino

3.8%56

American Indian/Alaska Native

2.1%31

Black

1.8%26

Asian

0.5%8

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

0.5%5

High School Diploma

30%292

Some College (<1 yr)

12.6%123

Some College (1+ yr)

15.4%150

Associate's Degree

12.6%123

Bachelor's Degree

18%175

Master's Degree

7.8%76

Professional Degree

0.5%5

Doctorate

0.3%3

HS or Higher

97.8%

BA or Higher

26.6%

Graduate+

8.6%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$157,000

Median Renti

$789

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

66.4%372

Renter-Occupied

33.6%188

Total Units

607

Homeownership

66.4%

Vacancy Rate

7.7%

Home Values

$50K–$100K

13.2%49

$100K–$150K

30.6%114

$150K–$200K

31.2%116

$200K–$300K

23.4%87

$300K–$500K

1.6%6

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

$1,000–$1,250

$1,250–$1,500

$1,500–$2,000

$2,000+

Year Built

2010–2019

1.5%9

2000–2009

7.2%44

1990–1999

2.5%15

1980–1989

13%79

1970–1979

17.5%106

1960–1969

14%85

1950–1959

14.3%87

1940–1949

4%24

1939 or earlier

26%158

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

77.3%433

Electricity

17.5%98

No Fuel

2.5%14

Bottled/LP Gas

1.1%6

Wood

1.1%6

Other

0.5%3

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$70,156

Mean Household Incomei

$74,629

Per Capita Incomei

$30,075

Poverty Ratei

16.8%

Unemploymenti

0.9%

Labor Forcei

791

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

0.9%5

$10K–$15K

5.2%29

$15K–$20K

0.4%2

$20K–$25K

6.2%35

$25K–$30K

1.6%9

$30K–$35K

4.8%27

$35K–$40K

5.5%31

$40K–$45K

4.8%27

$45K–$50K

5%28

$50K–$60K

9.1%51

$60K–$75K

9.8%55

$75K–$100K

26.6%149

$100K–$125K

7.7%43

$125K–$150K

7.1%40

$150K–$200K

3.2%18

$200K+

2%11

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

171.2%

By Region

Top Countries

United Kingdom

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

782

Avg. Commutei

17.8 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

784

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

57(4.9% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

95.7%Insured

4.3%Uninsured