Sanilac County Demographics

A map of Sanilac County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	37,185	37,209	91.9%	91.6%
Hispanic	1,732	1,674	4.3%	4.1%
Multiracial	1,118	1,281	2.8%	3.2%
Black	157	151	0.4%	0.4%
Native American/Other	155	212	0.4%	0.5%
Asian	115	84	0.3%	0.2%

Sanilac County, Michigan has an estimated population of 40,462, a less than 1% change from the 40,611 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 91.9% White, 4.3% Hispanic, 2.8% Multiracial, 0.4% Black, 0.4% Native American/Other, and 0.3% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Sanilac County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Sanilac has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less 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 Sanilac County, that probability was 15.8% in 2020 and 15.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Sanilac County is ranked the 41st most populous county in Michigan, out of 83 counties. Sanilac County was ranked the 40th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Sanilac County's White Population

37,185 residents of Sanilac County, or 91.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Sanilac County is significantly higher than in Michigan overall, where 72.4% of the population is White. Sanilac County ranks 26th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanilac County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Sanilac County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 91.9%.

Sanilac County is more White than neighboring St. Clair County (89.7% White), Lapeer County (89.7% White), Tuscola County (91.5% White), and Macomb County (74.1% White). Sanilac County is less White than neighboring Huron County (93.3% White).

Sanilac County's Black Population

157 residents of Sanilac County, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Sanilac County is considerably lower than in Michigan overall, where 13.1% of the population is Black. Sanilac County ranks 59th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanilac County's Black population has grown by an estimated 4.0%. Black residents' share of Sanilac County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Sanilac County is more Black than neighboring Huron County (0.3% Black). Sanilac County is less Black than neighboring St. Clair County (2.1% Black), Lapeer County (1% Black), Tuscola County (1% Black), and Macomb County (12.7% Black).

Sanilac County's Asian Population

115 residents of Sanilac County, or 0.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Sanilac County is slightly lower than in Michigan overall, where 3.4% of the population is Asian. Sanilac County ranks 76th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanilac County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 36.9%. Asian residents' share of Sanilac County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Sanilac County is less Asian than neighboring Huron County (0.6% Asian), St. Clair County (0.5% Asian), Tuscola County (0.4% Asian), and Macomb County (5.1% Asian).

Sanilac County's Hispanic Population

1,732 residents of Sanilac County, or 4.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Sanilac County is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 5.9% of the population is Hispanic. Sanilac County ranks 29th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanilac County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 3.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Sanilac County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.3%.

Sanilac County is more Hispanic than neighboring Huron County (2.8% Hispanic), St. Clair County (3.7% Hispanic), Tuscola County (3.8% Hispanic), and Macomb County (3.2% Hispanic). Sanilac County is less Hispanic than neighboring Lapeer County (5% Hispanic).

Sanilac County's Native American/Other Population

155 residents of Sanilac County, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Sanilac County is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Sanilac County ranks 80th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanilac County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 26.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Sanilac County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Sanilac County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Tuscola County (0.3% Native American/Other). Sanilac County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Huron County (0.7% Native American/Other), Lapeer County (0.5% Native American/Other), and Macomb County (0.6% Native American/Other).

Sanilac County's Multiracial Population

1,118 residents of Sanilac County, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Sanilac County is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Sanilac County ranks 75th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanilac County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 12.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Sanilac County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.8%.

Sanilac County is more Multiracial than neighboring Huron County (2.3% Multiracial). Sanilac County is less Multiracial than neighboring St. Clair County (3.6% Multiracial), Lapeer County (3.5% Multiracial), Tuscola County (3% Multiracial), and Macomb County (4.4% 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.