As of the census of 2010, there were 2,679 people, 1,124 households, and 616 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 1,258 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 94.4% White, 1.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.5% of the population. There were 1,124 households of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.1% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.2% were non-families. 40.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age in the city was 41.4 years. 21.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 27.7% were from 45 to 64; and 18.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.7% male and 54.3% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,745 people, 1,081 households, and 649 families living in the city. The population density was 1,446.3 per square mile. There were 1,168 housing units at an average density of 615.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 95.12% White, 0.87% African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.75% Asian, 1.35% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.42% of the population. There were 1,081 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.97. In the city, the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males. The median income for a household in the city was $33,667, and the median income for a family was $44,622. Males had a median income of $31,531 versus $20,932 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,639. About 7.2% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.
Media
Radio
Local radio stations licensed to serve Sandusky are commercial broadcasters WMIC AM and WTGV FM, owned by Sanilac/GB Broadcasting; and religious station WNFR.
FM
WHYT 88.1 FM, Imlay City, Contemporary Christian, Smile FM
WNFR 90.7 FM, Sandusky, Contemporary Christian 90.7 Hope FM
WIDL 92.1 FM, Cass City, Classic Rock I-92, The Thumb's Only Road for Pure Classic Rock
WBGV 92.5 FM, Marlette, Country, The Thumb's Best Country
Sandusky city is governed under the 4th Class City charter, original written in 1895 as the Fourth Class City Act then recognized as the cities' charter in 1976.