Detroit, Michigan Income Statistics
Detroit Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
F
Detroit Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Detroit | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $39,945 | $72,977 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $44,036 | $59,920 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 5.3% | 4.6% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.4% | 11.4% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 2.8% | 9.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Detroit is about 45% lower than in Michigan. Income has been growing faster in Detroit (5.3%/yr) than in Michigan (4.6%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Detroit earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Michigan average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Detroit, Michigan grew by 35.3% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $39,945 in 2024. That's an average of about 5.3% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Detroit
| Metric | Detroit | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.578 | 0.539 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $47,747 | $69,354 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $45,110 | $54,749 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 5.5% | 21.1% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Detroit, it is 0.578, higher than Michigan's 0.539, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.552, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 6% more than women's income in Detroit, Michigan. Over a 35-year career, a 6% wage gap accumulates to roughly $92,295 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Detroit, Michigan has narrowed from about 10% to 6% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 14% in 2011, and was narrowest at 4% in 2021. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,156 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Detroit | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 14.0% | 5.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 12.0% | 13.5% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 37,643 people are unemployed in Detroit, Michigan.
The average commute time in Detroit is 22 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in Michigan.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Detroit, Michigan has fallen from 20.0% to 14.0% in 2024.
Detroit, MI Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Detroit, MI compares with the 1 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | 638,394 | $39,945 #1/2 | 5.3%/yr #2/2 | 14.0% #2/2 | 0.578 #1/2 |
| Hamtramck, MI | 27,670 | $39,568 | 6.7%/yr | 13.1% | 0.687 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Detroit, Michigan has an overall wealth index grade of F, making it worse than Michigan, and worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Detroit, Michigan.
How Rich Is Detroit, Michigan?
Detroit has a wealth index grade of F. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an F grade means residents are well below the U.S. average. The median household income is $39,945, about 45% lower than the Michigan average of $72,977.
How fast is household income rising in Detroit, Michigan?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Detroit, Michigan rose 35%, from $29,518 to $39,945. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Michigan as a whole: +35% against +50%.
What was the median household income in Detroit in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Detroit, Michigan was $39,617, up 5% from $37,748 in 2022. The Michigan median that year was $71,362.
What was the median household income in Detroit in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Detroit, Michigan was $32,916. By 2024 it had risen 21% to $39,945.
Is unemployment high in Detroit, Michigan?
Unemployment in Detroit, Michigan is 14.0%, well above the Michigan rate of 5.7%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Detroit, Michigan?
The Gini coefficient in Detroit is 0.578. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Detroit, Michigan?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Detroit, Michigan has narrowed from about 10% to 6% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 14% in 2011, and was narrowest at 4% in 2021. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,156 since 2009.
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