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.

Ferndale, MI Population, Income & Demographics 2026

Showing latest census year. Full demographic history available with a paid plan. View plans →

Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

19,190

Median Agei

37.3

Race & Ethnicityi

White

80%15,349

Black

6.4%1,228

Hispanic/Latino

4.7%909

Two or More

4.4%852

Asian

3%583

Other

1.4%266

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%3

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

1.9%314

High School Diploma

12.6%2,039

Some College (<1 yr)

5.2%835

Some College (1+ yr)

12.2%1,970

Associate's Degree

6.4%1,036

Bachelor's Degree

36.4%5,875

Master's Degree

16.6%2,686

Professional Degree

3.8%619

Doctorate

1.1%175

HS or Higher

96.3%

BA or Higher

57.9%

Graduate+

21.5%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$247,700

Median Renti

$1,311

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

66.6%6,889

Renter-Occupied

33.4%3,459

Total Units

10,927

Homeownership

66.6%

Vacancy Rate

5.3%

Home Values

Under $50K

1.5%104

$50K–$100K

1.7%115

$100K–$150K

8%548

$150K–$200K

15.3%1,055

$200K–$300K

41.2%2,835

$300K–$500K

28.5%1,962

$500K–$1M

3.6%245

$1M+

0.4%25

Rent Distribution

Under $500

334

$500–$750

152

$750–$1,000

417

$1,000–$1,250

640

$1,250–$1,500

682

$1,500–$2,000

876

$2,000+

318

Year Built

2020 or later

1%111

2010–2019

2.2%245

2000–2009

1.8%196

1990–1999

1.9%207

1980–1989

3.5%377

1970–1979

6.2%682

1960–1969

7.1%776

1950–1959

18.1%1,975

1940–1949

15.8%1,722

1939 or earlier

42.4%4,636

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

88.2%9,124

Electricity

10%1,039

Bottled/LP Gas

0.7%76

No Fuel

0.4%41

Other

0.4%40

Wood

0.2%23

Coal

0%5

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$94,640

Mean Household Incomei

$113,779

Per Capita Incomei

$62,094

Poverty Ratei

Unemploymenti

3.7%

Labor Forcei

13,968

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

5.1%531

$10K–$15K

3.5%359

$15K–$20K

1.9%192

$20K–$25K

1.5%155

$25K–$30K

2.2%229

$30K–$35K

2%212

$35K–$40K

1.2%125

$40K–$45K

2.8%291

$45K–$50K

2.3%236

$50K–$60K

5.4%557

$60K–$75K

9.4%971

$75K–$100K

15.3%1,587

$100K–$125K

12.8%1,322

$125K–$150K

9.2%947

$150K–$200K

13.7%1,420

$200K+

11.7%1,214

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

9114.7%

By Region

Top Countries

India

235

Canada

104

Mexico

Korea

Germany

China

Poland

United Kingdom

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

13,202

Avg. Commutei

23.2 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

13,455

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

549(3.2% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

95.1%Insured

4.9%Uninsured