City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Iron River, MI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Iron River - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

3,009
Residents
$48,750
Median income
$75,000
Median home
$1,068
Median rent (state)

Iron River - the verdict

Iron River ranks in the 18th percentile for household income and the 76th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

18th
percentile, household income
3rd
percentile, home value
26th
percentile, median rent
76th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Iron River, MI

3,009 people live in Iron River, Michigan - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Iron River brings in $48,750 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 14.8%. Home values in Iron River run a median of $75,000, and the median resident age is 41.4 years. Educational attainment runs 16.5% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 56.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Iron River reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 723.6 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Michigan scores 96.2 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,068 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $238 across Michigan, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 55.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

3,009 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$48,750 /yr

Poverty 14.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Iron River compare to other US cities?

Where Iron River sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 18% higher than other cities
Home value 3% pricier than other cities
Median rent 26% pricier than other cities
Safety 76% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Michigan and the picture shifts: Iron River ranks #72 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Iron River against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Michigan only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Michigan-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Iron River near the bottom of Michigan's cities

Among the 721 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Iron River ranks #681 - the 6th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Iron River only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#544 of 718
24th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#424 of 727
41st percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#681 of 721
6th percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#168 of 727
76th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#435 of 727
40th percentile in Michigan

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Michigan only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

18thIncome percentile
76thSafety percentile

18th percentile nationally for median household income · 76th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Iron River's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Iron River's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 60 Avg. percentile National median
Iron River's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Iron River's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$75,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 97% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Iron River $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Iron River, MI Iron River, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Iron River, MI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Iron River, MI median $48,750/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Iron River, MI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Iron River, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
3,009
Median Income
$48,750
Median Home Value
$75,000
Median Age
41.4
Poverty Rate
14.8%
Labor force participation
56.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
723.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
328.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
394.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,980 residents3,000 residents3,020 residents3,040 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,005 residents 3,027 residents ▲ +0.7%
Iron River's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.7%
Carpool
9.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.6%
Work from Home
7.2%
Other
4.5%

Based on 1,367 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Michigan - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$238
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Michigan state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Michigan state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Iron River sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,068/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
55.1 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Bad Axe
3,010 people
Whitehall
2,974 people
Corunna
3,054 people
Potterville
3,065 people
Fowlerville
2,950 people
Ferrysburg
2,949 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Iron River's 3,009 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Kelly Ridge, CA
3,010 people
Dry Ridge, OH
3,008 people
Groveville, NJ
3,007 people
Olney, TX
3,011 people
Reliez Valley, CA
3,006 people
Homedale, ID
3,006 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Iron River's $48,750 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lakeview, AL
$48,750 median income
Providence, AL
$48,750 median income
Gambell, AK
$48,750 median income
Ak-Chin, AZ
$48,750 median income
Blanca, CO
$48,750 median income
Avalon, GA
$48,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Iron River, MI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Iron River, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.4% White 94.8% Black or African American 0.8% Asian 0.0% American Indian 1.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 2.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Iron River compares to nearby Michigan cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Iron River (this city) 3,009 $48,750
Bad Axe 3,010 $47,535
Whitehall 2,974 $58,750
Corunna 3,054 $47,420
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Iron River, MI?

What is the population of Iron River, MI? +

3,009 people live in Iron River, MI according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Iron River, MI? +

The median household income in Iron River is $48,750 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Iron River? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Iron River; the closest available measure is the Michigan state average, a cost of living index of 96.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Michigan vary by metro area.

Is Iron River, MI safe? +

Iron River has a total crime rate of 723.6 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Iron River, MI? +

The median home value in Iron River is $75,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.