Detroit skyline on the Detroit River at sunset
County in Michigan

Oakland County

Oakland County has the largest immigrant share in Michigan (13.3% foreign-born) and the largest economy ($143.1 billion GDP).

Oakland County is home to 1,296,888 people (2024 estimate) on 867 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.

Key indicators

Population
1,296,888
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
1,274,371
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
+1.8%
2020–2024
Land area
867 mi²
2,247 km²
Population density
1,495.2 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
12,241
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
10,953
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+1,288
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+13,721
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$93,579
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$143.1 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$97,760
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
7.7%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
51.0%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
13.3%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$343,600
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
3.6%
BLS annual average, 2024

Historical data

Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.

Population

2000–2024
1,296,888▲ 8%

U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.

Data summary

IndicatorValueYear and source
Population estimate1,296,8882024 · U.S. Census Bureau
Population, 2010 Census1,202,3622010 · U.S. Census Bureau
Population, 20001,196,165July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal
Change since 2000+8.4%2000–2024 · Census
International migration+18,1532024 · Census Vintage 2024
Domestic migration−4,4322024 · Census Vintage 2024
Birth rate9.4 per 1,0002024 · calculated
Death rate8.4 per 1,0002024 · calculated
Population rank in Michigan2nd of 832024 · calculated
Per capita personal income$93,579BEA, 2024 · official
Gross domestic product$143.1 billionBEA, current dollars, 2024 · official
Median household income$97,760ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Poverty rate7.7%ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Bachelor’s degree or higher51.0%Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Foreign-born residents13.3%ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Median home value$343,600ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Median gross rent$1,376/monthACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Median age41.3 yearsACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Households530,460ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Owner-occupied homes72.7%ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official

Oakland County in context

Comparable indicators for Oakland County, Michigan and the United States.

IndicatorCountyMichiganU.S.Reference
Population change 2020–2024+1.8%+0.6%+2.6%Census Vintage 2024
Birth rate (per 1,000)9.49.810.62024
Death rate (per 1,000)8.410.19.12024
Net migration rate (per 1,000)10.65.98.22024
Population density (/mi²)1495.2179.196.32024
Per capita personal income$93,579$63,690$73,204BEA, 2024
Median household income$97,760$72,875$80,734ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate7.7%13.2%12.5%ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher51.0%32.4%35.7%Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents13.3%7.2%14.1%ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value$343,600$231,600$332,700ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median gross rent$1,376/month$1,129/month$1,413/monthACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median age41.3 years40.2 years38.9 yearsACS 2020–2024 5-year
Owner-occupied homes72.7%73.2%65.2%ACS 2020–2024 5-year

Cities & towns

7 cities · choose how to order them

Did you know? Oakland County

2nd most populous of 83

With 1,296,888 residents in 2024, Oakland County ranks 2nd by population among Michigan's 83 counties and is home to 12.8% of the state's residents.

A quarter century of change

Its population went from 1,196,165 in 2000 to 1,296,888 in 2024, a change of +8.4%, compared with +1.9% for Michigan as a whole.

Births and deaths

In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 12,241 births and 10,953 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 1,288.

Record population

Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population in 2024, at 1,296,888.

3rd in density

Oakland County has about 1495.2 residents per square mile of land, ranking 3rd of 83 counties; Michigan averages 179.1.

Household income rank

With a median household income of $97,760 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 3rd of 83 Michigan counties; the state median is $72,875.

Size of the economy

Its economy produced $143.1 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 1st largest among 83 Michigan counties.

Latest economic growth

Real GDP grew 0.7% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).

Sources and methodology