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.

Chelsea, MI Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

5,426

Median Agei

51.2

Race & Ethnicityi

White

95.7%5,193

Two or More

2.7%148

Black

0.9%49

Hispanic/Latino

0.6%34

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%2

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

1.1%48

High School Diploma

10.2%428

Some College (<1 yr)

7.7%324

Some College (1+ yr)

15.8%664

Associate's Degree

11.7%493

Bachelor's Degree

25.8%1,086

Master's Degree

19.6%825

Professional Degree

2.9%121

Doctorate

3.5%147

HS or Higher

98.3%

BA or Higher

51.8%

Graduate+

26%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$312,700

Median Renti

$1,619

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

63%1,741

Renter-Occupied

37%1,023

Total Units

2,847

Homeownership

63%

Vacancy Rate

2.9%

Home Values

Under $50K

1.1%19

$50K–$100K

1%17

$100K–$150K

4.8%83

$150K–$200K

7.6%132

$200K–$300K

31.4%546

$300K–$500K

49.1%855

$500K–$1M

5.1%89

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

120

$1,000–$1,250

145

$1,250–$1,500

$1,500–$2,000

428

$2,000+

165

Year Built

2010–2019

5.2%148

2000–2009

16.9%480

1990–1999

14.3%408

1980–1989

7.7%218

1970–1979

6.9%197

1960–1969

6%171

1950–1959

8.7%247

1940–1949

2.6%73

1939 or earlier

31.8%905

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

90.9%2,512

Electricity

7.1%195

Bottled/LP Gas

1.6%44

Other

0.5%13

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$72,098

Mean Household Incomei

$97,614

Per Capita Incomei

$50,927

Poverty Ratei

Unemploymenti

4.9%

Labor Forcei

2,474

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

4.2%117

$10K–$15K

2.4%65

$15K–$20K

1%29

$20K–$25K

2.1%58

$25K–$30K

4.2%116

$30K–$35K

6.2%170

$35K–$40K

4.1%114

$40K–$45K

11%304

$45K–$50K

3%82

$50K–$60K

7.6%211

$60K–$75K

7.2%199

$75K–$100K

11.6%321

$100K–$125K

8.1%224

$125K–$150K

6.3%175

$150K–$200K

8.3%229

$200K+

12.7%350

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

230.4%

By Region

Top Countries

United Kingdom

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

2,335

Avg. Commutei

24 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

2,352

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

367(8.1% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

98.9%Insured

1.1%Uninsured