Population 28,880 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Alpena County: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Alpena County
Household size in Alpena County
| Period | Alpena County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.21 | 2.58 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.24 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.21 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.21 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.00 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Alpena County is a place of small households, averaging 2.21 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southeast.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Alpena County
| Period | Alpena County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.0 | 38.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.9 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.9 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.9 | 41.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.9 | +2.4 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 47.9, Alpena County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 45.0 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the south, the oldest in the northeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Alpena County
| Period | Alpena County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.0% | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.7% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.9% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Alpena County (9.9%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. That is in line with the rest of Michigan.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Alpena County
Renters in Alpena County
| Period | Alpena County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.4% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.6% | 28.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.1% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 20.0% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 20.0% of households in Alpena County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About half of owners (51.4%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the north; owners are most common in the southwest. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 0.6 points, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Alpena County
| Period | Alpena County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.2% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.5% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.7% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.7% | 10.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Alpena County: 15.7% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Alpena County
| Period | Alpena County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1965 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1965 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1966 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1967 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +3 | +6 |
The housing in Alpena County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1967, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Newer construction is concentrated in the north, while the east has the oldest housing. Alpena County has older homes than at least four in five Michigan counties.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Alpena County
| Period | Alpena County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $514 | $833 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $578 | $886 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $607 | $978 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $766 | $1,228 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$252 | +$395 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Alpena County costs $766 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $252 a month since 2006–10, up 49%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 32.9% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the north; the highest are in the southwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Alpena County
Bachelor's degrees in Alpena County
| Period | Alpena County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.7% | 26.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.1% | 27.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.7% | 29.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.8% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.1 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Alpena County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 17.8%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 2.1 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Alpena County has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of Michigan counties.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Alpena County
| Period | Alpena County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.5% | 88.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.0% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.9% | 90.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.5% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.0 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Alpena County is a bit above the national rate: 92.5% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The picture is much the same across Michigan. The share with a diploma is up 5.0 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Alpena County
| Period | Alpena County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.0% | 11.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.4% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.0% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.2% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.8 pts | −5.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little harder to find in Alpena County than nationally: unemployment was 6.2%, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.8 points, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Alpena County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpena County | 2.21 | 47.9 | 9.9% | 20.0% | 15.7% | 1967 | $766 | 17.8% | 92.5% | 6.2% |
| Montmorency County | 1.94 | 55.0 | 7.0% | 12.1% | 43.4% | 1975 | $709 | 15.3% | 90.7% | 5.4% |
| Otsego County | 2.28 | 44.7 | 10.3% | 22.8% | 20.7% | 1983 | $1,083 | 26.4% | 94.1% | 4.1% |
| Antrim County | 2.18 | 50.9 | 7.6% | 13.6% | 33.1% | 1979 | $958 | 33.0% | 94.4% | 3.9% |
| Leelanau County | 2.33 | 54.1 | 6.0% | 8.4% | 30.6% | 1987 | $1,249 | 51.9% | 97.1% | 3.4% |
| Door County | 2.04 | 53.5 | 5.0% | 21.8% | 32.0% | 1981 | $1,084 | 37.4% | 96.2% | 2.4% |
| Menominee County | 3.01 | 37.4 | 30.2% | 24.5% | 32.5% | 1984 | $629 | 18.6% | 95.3% | 9.3% |
| Langlade County | 2.19 | 48.7 | 8.8% | 23.1% | 21.8% | 1969 | $751 | 17.4% | 91.2% | 3.3% |
| Marathon County | 2.42 | 42.2 | 9.0% | 26.7% | 5.8% | 1978 | $1,010 | 28.5% | 93.3% | 2.8% |
| Taylor County | 2.49 | 44.5 | 6.3% | 20.3% | 15.0% | 1978 | $871 | 17.2% | 91.3% | 2.5% |
| Chippewa County | 2.40 | 42.7 | 7.7% | 25.8% | 7.1% | 1976 | $994 | 23.9% | 93.8% | 3.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Silver Bow County, MT · Guayama Municipio, PR · Randolph County, WV · Colusa County, CA · Colleton County, SC · Sagadahoc County, ME · Salinas Municipio, PR · Santa Isabel Municipio, PR · Hatillo Municipio, PR · Clarendon County, SC
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Alpena County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.