Pontiac, Michigan Income Statistics
Pontiac 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.
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D
Pontiac Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Pontiac | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $44,484 | $72,977 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $41,391 | $59,920 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.9% | 4.6% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.1% | 11.4% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 2.5% | 9.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Pontiac is about 39% lower than in Michigan. Income has been growing faster in Pontiac (4.9%/yr) than in Michigan (4.6%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Pontiac 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 Pontiac, Michigan grew by 35.6% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $44,484 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.9% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Pontiac
| Metric | Pontiac | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.532 | 0.539 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $48,196 | $69,354 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $40,884 | $54,749 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 15.2% | 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 Pontiac, it is 0.532, lower than Michigan's 0.539, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 18% more than women's income in Pontiac, Michigan. Over a 35-year career, a 18% wage gap accumulates to roughly $255,920 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Pontiac, Michigan has widened from about 8% to 15% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 6% in 2018. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,500 since 2009.
Sharply against the trend: the pay gap in Pontiac widened by 6.9 points while Michigan's narrowed by 7.0 points.
Employment
| Metric | Pontiac | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 10.1% | 5.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.9% | 13.5% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 3,114 people are unemployed in Pontiac, Michigan.
The average commute time in Pontiac is 18 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Michigan.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Pontiac, Michigan has fallen from 20.0% to 10.1% in 2024. Over that period the rate fell as low as 9.5% in 2022.
Pontiac, MI Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Pontiac, 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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pontiac, MI | 62,501 | $44,484 #2/2 | 4.9%/yr #2/2 | 10.1% #2/2 | 0.532 #1/2 |
| Auburn Hills, MI | 24,784 | $82,887 | 5.5%/yr | 5.9% | 0.533 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Pontiac, Michigan has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Michigan, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Pontiac, Michigan.
How Rich Is Pontiac, Michigan?
Pontiac has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $44,484, about 39% lower than the Michigan average of $72,977.
Are incomes growing in Pontiac, Michigan?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Pontiac, Michigan rose 36%, from $32,800 to $44,484. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Michigan as a whole: +36% against +50%.
What was the median household income in Pontiac in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Pontiac, Michigan was $43,337, up 6% from $40,713 in 2022. The Michigan median that year was $71,362.
What was the median household income in Pontiac in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Pontiac, Michigan was $34,881. By 2024 it had risen 28% to $44,484.
Is it hard to find a job in Pontiac, Michigan?
Unemployment in Pontiac, Michigan is 10.1%, well above the Michigan rate of 5.7%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Pontiac, Michigan?
The Gini coefficient in Pontiac is 0.532. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Pontiac, Michigan?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Pontiac, Michigan has widened from about 8% to 15% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 6% in 2018. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,500 since 2009.
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