Demographics
Data Driven Detroit: City of Pontiac Demographic data
Knowing how our children are faring is essential to understanding the strength of our turnaround. But that information has been complex and hard to come by…until now.
Pontiac is proud to have a wonderfully diverse population of approximately 60,000 residents! Black or African American residents make up the largest percentage of the population at 49.6% (compared to only 13.3% in Oakland County, followed by 34.9% of residents identifying as White (making up 73.8% of Oakland County residents). The percent of Hispanic residents has been increasing, and most recently is estimated at 19.1% of the population (compared to only 4.3% in Oakland County.
- Data: 2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates: View online
Pontiac has a much younger population, with a median age of 33.6 years old, compared to a median age of 41.0 years in Oakland County. This indicates many young adults and families, which may indicate the need for supports for early childhood learning, K-12 education, career training and opportunities, and parenting support.
- Data: 2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates: View online
The Age Breakdown shows a higher percentage of Pontiac residents through age 44, indicating many young adults and families in the area.
- Data: 2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates: View online
Both Pontiac and Oakland County have similar percents of male and female residents.
- Data: 2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates: View online
Pontiac residents have an overall lower level of educational attainment than Oakland County. Pontiac has more than 3x as many residents with less than a high school diploma. Oakland County has 3.5x as many residents with a Bachelor’s Degree or higher than Pontiac, indicating a significant educational attainment gap.
- Data: 2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates: View online
The median income in Oakland County is nearly 2.5x larger than Pontiac. Households with lower incomes may struggle to meet basic household needs.
- Data: 2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates: View online
The majority of residents in Pontiac earn less than $50,000 a year. Lower income levels can indicate a higher chance to not being able to meet basic household needs.
- Data: 2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates: View online
Poverty rates in Pontiac are 3.5x higher than in Oakland County. Nearly 40% of children in Pontiac live in poverty compared to only 9% in Oakland County.
- Data: 2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates: View online
Pontiac has a higher percent of households single parents and single adult households.