Pontiac, MI Demographics

A map of Pontiac's Population by Race

Pontiac, Michigan has an estimated population of 62,104, a less than 1% change from the 61,606 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 41.7% Black, 24.1% Hispanic, 22.8% White, 6.2% Multiracial, 4.2% Asian, and 0.9% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Pontiac, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Pontiac has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Michigan overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Pontiac, that probability was 67.2% in 2020 and 71.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Pontiac is ranked the 18th most populous place in Michigan, out of 745 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Pontiac was ranked the 20th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Pontiac's White Population

14,184 residents of Pontiac, or 22.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Pontiac is significantly lower than in Michigan overall, where 72.4% of the population is White. Pontiac ranks 736th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pontiac's White population has declined by an estimated 1.8%. White residents' share of Pontiac's population has decreased from 23.5% to 22.8%.

Pontiac is less White than neighboring Auburn Hills (52.1% White), Lake Angelus (95.4% White), Sylvan Lake (86.7% White), Keego Harbor (74% White), and Bloomfield Hills (83.3% White).

Pontiac's Black Population

25,918 residents of Pontiac, or 41.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Pontiac is significantly higher than in Michigan overall, where 13.1% of the population is Black. Pontiac ranks 16th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pontiac's Black population has declined by an estimated 10.8%. Black residents' share of Pontiac's population has decreased from 47.1% to 41.7%.

Pontiac is more Black than neighboring Auburn Hills (15.3% Black), Lake Angelus (0% Black), Sylvan Lake (2.3% Black), Keego Harbor (11% Black), and Bloomfield Hills (4.1% Black).

Pontiac's Asian Population

2,630 residents of Pontiac, or 4.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Pontiac is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 3.4% of the population is Asian. Pontiac ranks 73rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pontiac's Asian population has grown by an estimated 86.8%. Asian residents' share of Pontiac's population has increased from 2.3% to 4.2%.

Pontiac is more Asian than neighboring Lake Angelus (1.7% Asian), Sylvan Lake (0.6% Asian), and Keego Harbor (0% Asian). Pontiac is less Asian than neighboring Auburn Hills (13.5% Asian), and Bloomfield Hills (4.5% Asian).

Pontiac's Hispanic Population

14,941 residents of Pontiac, or 24.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Pontiac is significantly higher than in Michigan overall, where 5.9% of the population is Hispanic. Pontiac ranks 15th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pontiac's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 11.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Pontiac's population has increased from 21.8% to 24.1%.

Pontiac is more Hispanic than neighboring Auburn Hills (12.4% Hispanic), Lake Angelus (0% Hispanic), Sylvan Lake (7.4% Hispanic), Keego Harbor (7.2% Hispanic), and Bloomfield Hills (1.6% Hispanic).

Pontiac's Native American/Other Population

577 residents of Pontiac, or 0.9% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Pontiac is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Pontiac ranks 347th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pontiac's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 19.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Pontiac's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Pontiac is more Native American/Other than neighboring Auburn Hills (0.8% Native American/Other), Lake Angelus (0% Native American/Other), Sylvan Lake (0.8% Native American/Other), Keego Harbor (0.8% Native American/Other), and Bloomfield Hills (0.1% Native American/Other).

Pontiac's Multiracial Population

3,854 residents of Pontiac, or 6.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Pontiac is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Pontiac ranks 295th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pontiac's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 39.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Pontiac's population has increased from 4.5% to 6.2%.

Pontiac is more Multiracial than neighboring Auburn Hills (5.9% Multiracial), Lake Angelus (2.9% Multiracial), and Sylvan Lake (2.2% Multiracial). Pontiac is less Multiracial than neighboring Keego Harbor (6.9% Multiracial), and Bloomfield Hills (6.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.