| City | Rank | 2026 Pop. ↓ | 2020 Pop. | Annual Change | Density (/mi²) | Area (mi²) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay City | 1 | 31,719 | 32,618 | -0.47% | 3,120 | 10 | City |
| Bangor | 2 | 13,736 | 14,024 | -0.3% | 973 | 14 | Township |
| Monitor | 3 | 10,582 | 10,681 | -0.14% | 288 | 37 | Township |
| Hampton | 4 | 9,558 | 9,689 | -0.24% | 348 | 27 | Township |
| Williams | 5 | 5,032 | 5,054 | 0% | 150 | 34 | Township |
| Kawkawlin | 6 | 4,340 | 4,415 | -0.21% | 134 | 32 | Township |
| Frankenlust | 7 | 3,682 | 3,670 | -0.05% | 175 | 21 | Township |
| Essexville | 8 | 3,265 | 3,373 | -0.58% | 2,521 | 1 | City |
| Portsmouth | 9 | 3,126 | 3,208 | -0.41% | 156 | 20 | Township |
| Beaver | 10 | 2,678 | 2,720 | -0.22% | 76 | 35 | Township |
| Pinconning | 11 | 2,283 | 2,298 | -0.09% | 62 | 37 | Township |
| Auburn | 12 | 2,033 | 2,067 | -0.29% | 1,925 | 1 | City |
| Garfield | 13 | 1,685 | 1,693 | 0% | 47 | 36 | Township |
| Zilwaukee | 14 | 1,479 | 1,531 | -0.67% | 669 | 2 | City |
| Mount Forest | 15 | 1,384 | 1,398 | -0.29% | 39 | 36 | Township |
| Pinconning | 16 | 1,171 | 1,198 | -0.43% | 1,360 | 1 | City |
| Gibson | 17 | 1,104 | 1,124 | -0.27% | 31 | 36 | Township |
| Bentley | 18 | 862 | 831 | 0.47% | 25 | 35 | Township |
Bay City is the largest city in Bay County, with a population of 31,719.
Bentley is the smallest city in Bay County, with a population of 862.
There are 18 cities in Bay County, Michigan.