Part of the city (with a population of 8,741) is on the Isabella Indian Reservation, site of the Soaring Eagle Casino. The city is also home to the main campus of Central Michigan University. Former Michigan governor John Engler was born in Mount Pleasant, as was former PGA Tour professional golfer Dan Pohl.
In December 2008 the unemployment rate in Mount Pleasant was 7.1.
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,946 people, 8,449 households, and 3,126 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,327.2 per square mile (1,284.3/km²). There were 8,878 housing units at an average density of 1,138.5/sq mi (439.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.12% White, 3.67% African American, 1.54% Native American, 2.85% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.93% from other races, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.49% of the population.
There were 8,449 households out of which 18.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 25.9% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 63.0% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 11.5% under the age of 18, 54.1% from 18 to 24, 16.9% from 25 to 44, 10.2% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 82.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,572, and the median income for a family was $43,927. Males had a median income of $32,004 versus $23,869 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,177. About 11.4% of families and 37.2% of the population (student population skews this statistic) were below the poverty line, including 14.8% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport is located 2 mi (3.2 km) northeast of the central business district.