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Shields, MI
Census-designated place in Saginaw County, Michigan. ZIP codes: 48609.
Population
7,402
Land area
7.9sq mi
People per sq mi
940
ZIP codes
1
Shields and its ZIP codes
Shields at a glance
- Shields is about 5.3 times as dense as Michigan as a whole.
- It is the 140th most populous of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
- Households here earn a median of $82,125 a year, 13% more than the Michigan figure of $72,875.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $174,500 (25% below Michigan) and median rent is $941 a month.
Local data for Shields, MI
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Shields, MI, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$82,125
Poverty rate
13.1%
Median home value
$174,500
Median rent
$941/mo
Homeownership
80.6%
Bachelor's or higher
30.8%
Median age
48.0
Average commute
22.8 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (2,320), Irish Americans (761), Arab Americans (589).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Saginaw County. PPP loans are for Shields.
Unemployment rate
5.8%
Aug 2026, -0.4 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$60,997
80,210 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$52,699
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$1.32B
FY 2026, $6,957 per person
How people get to work
Shields, MI, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone82.0%
- Carpooled3.0%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked2.5%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home12.6%
Average one-way commute: 22.8 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Shields, MI, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: winter weather
Storm events since 1996
565
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
841
1.1% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
83° / 16°F
34.0 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Shields, MI, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
33.1%
U.S. 33.3% about the same
Diabetes
13.1%
U.S. 12.1% +1.0 pts
Smoking
13.8%
U.S. 12.8% +1.0 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
6.4%
U.S. 11.1% -4.7 pts
ZIP codes in Shields
1 in or overlapping Shields. Population shown
Cities near Shields
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| SaginawCity | 6.4 mi | 17.1 |
| FreelandCensus-designated place | 6.7 mi | 6.6 |
| HemlockCensus-designated place | 7.6 mi | 2.8 |
| ZilwaukeeCity | 8.7 mi | 2.2 |
| Buena VistaCensus-designated place | 9 mi | 4 |
| St. CharlesVillage | 9.1 mi | 2.1 |
| BridgeportCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 8.4 |
| AuburnCity | 12 mi | 1.1 |
| Robin Glen-IndiantownCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 2.8 |
| MerrillVillage | 13 mi | 0.7 |
| Bay CityCity | 14 mi | 10.2 |
| BurtCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 6 |
| MidlandCity | 16 mi | 34.5 |
| ChesaningVillage | 16 mi | 3.1 |
| EssexvilleCity | 18 mi | 1.3 |
| FrankenmuthCity | 18 mi | 3.1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Shields, MI in?
- Shields is in Saginaw County, Michigan.
- What ZIP codes are in Shields, MI?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Shields include 48609.
- What is the population of Shields, MI?
- About 7,402 people live in Shields, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Shields?
- Nearby places include Saginaw (6.4 mi), Freeland (6.7 mi), Hemlock (7.6 mi), Zilwaukee (8.7 mi), Buena Vista (9 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023