Median Age
38 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 25% of Residents
Under 20
17%
Over 65
13%
Ferndale, MI Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,440
Population
18,948
Renter Mix
34% Rent
Embrace the vibrant community in this Detroit suburb
Suburban
•
Welcoming
•
Diverse
Ferndale, Michigan punches well above its weight for a city of just nine square miles sitting right on the southern edge of Oakland County. Sandwiched between Detroit to the south and Royal Oak to the north, it occupies a geographic sweet spot that gives residents easy access to two of metro Detroit's most active downtowns without the price tag of either. Woodward Avenue cuts straight through the middle of town, tying Ferndale into the broader cultural corridor that runs from Detroit all the way to Pontiac.
The city has built a reputation for an independent, close-knit atmosphere, with a walkable downtown core anchored by locally owned shops, art galleries, and long-standing music venues. Nine Mile Road serves as the social spine of the city, and the surrounding neighborhoods feature a mix of well-kept bungalows, craftsman cottages, and Tudor-style homes that reflect the area's early 20th-century roots. Oakland Community College and Wayne State University are both a short drive away, making Ferndale a natural landing spot for students and academics alike.
The rental market offers a solid variety of options, from updated apartments within walkable apartment communities near downtown to converted upper-flat units tucked inside vintage two-family homes. Ferndale hosts an annual DIY Street Fair every summer, one of Michigan's largest celebrations of independent art, music, and makers culture.
Explore the City
Walking trail maps throughout Ferndale make it easy to explore the area on foot.
Awesome artwork and murals can be found throughout Ferndale, MI.
Colorful and creative murals are found throughout Ferndale, MI.
Murals abound and can be found throughout Ferndale, MI.
There are so many shopping opportunities in Ferndale on 9 Mile Road.
Ferndale's SMART Bus offers convenient, reliable, and safe transportation.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$82,854
Average: $95,299
Education
8,965
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
12,782
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Ferndale has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
34%
Non-Renters
66%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
42%
Other Education
58%
Rent Trends
As of July 2026, the average apartment rent in Ferndale, MI is $1,575 for a studio, $1,429 for one bedroom, $1,880 for two bedrooms, and $3,502 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Ferndale has increased by 1.8% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,429/month
650 Sq Ft
House
$1,880/month
1,023 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,952/month
1,066 Sq Ft
Learn More About Ferndale
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Ferndale, MI is for everyday living.
Moderately Walkable
Walkability
60
/ 100
Some Public Transit
Transit
40
/ 100
Very Drivable
Drivability
80
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
40
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-12
280 Students
Ferndale Lower Elementary Campus
Public
Grades K-5
537 Students
Public
Grades 4-6
283 Students
Public
Grades PK-12
60 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
538 Students
Public
Grades PK-12
280 Students
Public
Grades PK-12
60 Students
Public
Grades 7-8
26 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
700 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
479 Students
Public
Grades PK-12
280 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
346 Students
Public
Grades PK-12
60 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Belle Isle Nature Zoo
- Detroit Zoo
- Palmer Park
- Catalpa Oaks County Park
- Red Oaks Nature Center and County Park
Commuter Rail
Military Bases
Airports
- Detroit Metro Wayne County
Top Apartments in Ferndale
Houses for Rent in Ferndale
Living in Ferndale
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Nearby House Rentals
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.