Population 26,412 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Rochester
Household size in Rochester
| Period | Rochester | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.69 | 2.63 | 2.58 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.69 | 2.63 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.70 | 2.58 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.64 | 2.57 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.06 | −0.07 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
At 2.64 people per household, Rochester sits close to the national average of 2.65. Household size has edged down from 2.69 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the northeast.
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 Rochester
| Period | Rochester | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.6 | 39.0 | 38.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.7 | 40.1 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.1 | 40.9 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.5 | 41.0 | 41.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.9 | +2.1 | +2.4 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Rochester is 43.5 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 39.6 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the south and oldest in the northwest.
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 Rochester
| Period | Rochester | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.4% | 12.1% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.2% | 12.3% | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.3% | 11.3% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.8% | 11.2% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Rochester: 5.8% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Rochester has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Michigan cities.
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 Rochester
Renters in Rochester
| Period | Rochester | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.6% | 26.7% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.0% | 30.2% | 28.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.9% | 31.0% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 20.9% | 28.8% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Rochester is largely a place of homeowners: only 20.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. More than a third of owners (35.8%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 2.3 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Rochester
| Period | Rochester | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 11.3% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.4% | 11.2% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.6% | 10.0% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.7% | 8.3% | 10.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | −3.1 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Rochester than nationally: 6.7%, against 9.6% for the U.S. Vacancy has barely moved since 2006–10, while the national rate fell.
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 Rochester
| Period | Rochester | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1985 | 1968 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1986 | 1969 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1986 | 1969 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1988 | 1970 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +2 | +3 | +6 |
The housing in Rochester is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1988, against 1980 nationally. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the center. Rochester has newer homes than the great majority of Michigan cities.
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 Rochester
| Period | Rochester | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,495 | $952 | $833 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,377 | $1,005 | $886 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,579 | $1,123 | $978 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,766 | $1,373 | $1,228 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$271 | +$421 | +$395 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Rochester costs $1,766 a month with utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $271 a month from 2006–10, an 18% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 30.0% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the south; the highest are in the west.
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 Rochester
Bachelor's degrees in Rochester
| Period | Rochester | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 58.5% | 27.8% | 26.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 62.0% | 28.8% | 27.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 65.1% | 31.1% | 29.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 71.4% | 34.5% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +12.8 pts | +6.7 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Rochester: 71.4% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree has risen 12.8 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 331 Michigan cities with 5,000+ people, only eight have a higher share of college graduates.
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 Rochester
| Period | Rochester | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 97.4% | 87.7% | 88.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 98.0% | 88.4% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 98.3% | 89.8% | 90.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.4% | 90.9% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | +3.2 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Rochester: 98.4% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 1.0 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Of the 331 Michigan cities with 5,000+ people, only eight have a higher share of high school graduates.
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 Rochester
| Period | Rochester | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.3% | 12.7% | 11.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.4% | 12.8% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.5% | 6.8% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.8% | 6.7% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −5.9 pts | −5.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Rochester has been low: just 2.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 3.5 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Rochester compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | 2.64 | 43.5 | 5.8% | 20.9% | 6.7% | 1988 | $1,766 | 71.4% | 98.4% | 2.8% |
| Rochester Hills | 2.61 | 42.1 | 6.5% | 23.4% | 6.1% | 1985 | $1,809 | 61.1% | 96.7% | 4.1% |
| Oakland | 3.16 | 40.1 | 6.7% | 4.2% | 4.0% | 1994 | $1,340 | 57.3% | 96.4% | 2.0% |
| Auburn Hills | 2.17 | 38.1 | 9.1% | 48.4% | 7.9% | 1987 | $1,599 | 51.0% | 93.1% | 5.6% |
| Washington | 2.69 | 43.6 | 6.5% | 16.1% | 4.6% | 1993 | $1,185 | 33.9% | 92.6% | 4.8% |
| Utica | 2.47 | 45.8 | 7.4% | 26.6% | 4.4% | 1988 | $1,446 | 37.2% | 92.4% | 4.1% |
| Lake Orion | 2.58 | 42.0 | 5.9% | 17.8% | 6.0% | 1989 | $1,518 | 54.9% | 96.8% | 3.6% |
| Lakeville | 2.92 | 44.3 | 3.6% | 3.3% | 8.1% | 1986 | $1,146 | 47.3% | 95.1% | 3.0% |
| Pontiac | 2.52 | 37.6 | 20.6% | 53.3% | 11.5% | 1961 | $1,091 | 16.4% | 82.5% | 11.7% |
| Leonard | 2.89 | 46.9 | 7.7% | 3.9% | 5.4% | 1990 | $1,102 | 36.3% | 93.6% | 3.7% |
| Lake Angelus | 2.07 | 57.2 | 5.1% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 1965 | $1,130 | 48.1% | 99.6% | 2.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: West Islip, NY · Brawley, CA · Brenham, TX · Bridgewater, MA · Burlington, IA · Calabasas, CA · Camp Hill, PA · Chatsworth, GA · Claremore, OK · Wallingford, CT
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 Rochester. 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.
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