At a Glance
Median Income
$42,791
$24,702 per capita
Home Value
$110,600
Zillow: $139,885
Median Rent
$1,007/mo
30.8% of income on rent
Violent Crime
983/100K
1,658/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
16.2%
81.6% high school+
Unemployment
10.6%
19.6% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
43.5%
20.4% smoking rate
How Pontiac Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Pontiac's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Pontiac a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.6 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Pontiac residents earn a median household income of $42,791 , which is 43% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $24,702. The unemployment rate stands at 10.6% (194% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 19.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 43,047 business establishments, including 3,099 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Pontiac is $110,600 , 61% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $139,885. Median rent is $1,007/month, with 30.8% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 96.2 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1960.
Safety & Crime
Pontiac reports 983 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 159% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 1,658/100K. The murder rate is 21.1/100K.
Education
16.2% of adults in Pontiac hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(52% below the national average).
81.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Pontiac has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C).
Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.
Data Overview
People
Population61,914
Median Age35.5 yrs
Density3,113/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Foreign Born10.3%
Veterans3.9%
Economy
C
Median Income$42,791
Per Capita$24,702
Unemployment10.6%
Poverty19.6%
County GDP$143,144M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,498
Housing
A+
Home Value$110,600
Rent$1,007
Ownership44.2%
Zillow$139,885
Housing Units28,147
Rent Burden30.8%
Crime
F
Violent983/100K
Property1,658/100K
Murder21.1/100K
Assault845/100K
Burglary323/100K
Health
Obesity43.5%
Diabetes15.9%
Smoking20.4%
Heart Disease7.3%
Premature Death6,101/100K
Climate
Avg Temp48°F
Rain29.2 in/yr
AQI45 (Good)
Elevation974 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+16.2%
High School+81.6%
Graduate+4.9%
School Score6.1/10
Community
2024 VoteR 44% / D 54%
Commute22 min
Broadband84.8%
Internet Speed154 Mbps
EV Stations15
Libraries40
Did You Know?
Pontiac was founded in 1818.
The median home in Pontiac was built in 1960.
The nearest airport is Oakland County International (7 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.467 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
19.7% of the population has a disability.
10.3% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 154 Mbps.
There are 3,099 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 76 fatal vehicle crashes.