Shields, MI Demographics

A map of Shields's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	6,587	6,218	89.0%	88.4%
Hispanic	317	411	4.3%	5.8%
Multiracial	296	210	4.0%	3.0%
Black	112	111	1.5%	1.6%
Asian	78	70	1.1%	1.0%
Native American/Other	12	15	0.2%	0.2%

Shields, Michigan has an estimated population of 7,402, an increase from the 7,035 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 89.0% White, 4.3% Hispanic, 4.0% Multiracial, 1.5% Black, 1.1% Asian, and 0.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Shields, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Shields 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 Shields, that probability was 21.4% in 2020 and 20.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Shields is ranked the 140th 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). Shields was ranked the 143rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Shields's White Population

6,587 residents of Shields, or 89.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Shields is significantly higher than in Michigan overall, where 72.4% of the population is White. Shields ranks 445th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shields's White population has grown by an estimated 5.9%. White residents' share of Shields's population has increased from 88.4% to 89.0%.

Shields is more White than neighboring Freeland (77.1% White), Saginaw (34.7% White), St. Charles (87.3% White), and Zilwaukee (77.8% White). Shields is less White than neighboring Hemlock (94.2% White).

Shields's Black Population

112 residents of Shields, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Shields is considerably lower than in Michigan overall, where 13.1% of the population is Black. Shields ranks 200th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shields's Black population has remained roughly the same. Black residents' share of Shields's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.5%.

Shields is more Black than neighboring St. Charles (0.9% Black), Hemlock (0% Black), and Zilwaukee (1.2% Black). Shields is less Black than neighboring Freeland (9.4% Black), and Saginaw (44.3% Black).

Shields's Asian Population

78 residents of Shields, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Shields is slightly lower than in Michigan overall, where 3.4% of the population is Asian. Shields ranks 174th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shields's Asian population has grown by an estimated 11.4%. Asian residents' share of Shields's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Shields is more Asian than neighboring Freeland (0.8% Asian), Saginaw (0.2% Asian), Hemlock (0.8% Asian), and Zilwaukee (0.9% Asian). Shields is less Asian than neighboring St. Charles (1.3% Asian).

Shields's Hispanic Population

317 residents of Shields, or 4.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Shields is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 5.9% of the population is Hispanic. Shields ranks 138th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shields's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 22.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Shields's population has decreased from 5.8% to 4.3%.

Shields is less Hispanic than neighboring Saginaw (15.9% Hispanic), St. Charles (8.7% Hispanic), Hemlock (5% Hispanic), and Zilwaukee (12.7% Hispanic).

Shields's Native American/Other Population

12 residents of Shields, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Shields is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Shields ranks 668th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shields's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 20.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Shields's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Shields is more Native American/Other than neighboring St. Charles (0% Native American/Other), and Hemlock (0% Native American/Other). Shields is less Native American/Other than neighboring Freeland (0.5% Native American/Other), and Saginaw (0.4% Native American/Other).

Shields's Multiracial Population

296 residents of Shields, or 4.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Shields is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Shields ranks 588th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shields's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 41.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Shields's population has increased from 3.0% to 4.0%.

Shields is more Multiracial than neighboring St. Charles (1.7% Multiracial), and Hemlock (0% Multiracial). Shields is less Multiracial than neighboring Freeland (7.9% Multiracial), Saginaw (4.5% Multiracial), and Zilwaukee (7.1% 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.