Pontiac, Michigan. Pontiac /ˈpɒntiæk, ˈpɒni-/ is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, located in Metro Detroit. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 59,515. It is the county seat of Oakland County. and about 12 miles (19 km) north and slightly west of the Detroit city limits.