City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Ironwood, MI

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

5,004
Residents
$37,191
Median income
$74,900
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Ironwood - the verdict

Ironwood ranks in the 6th percentile for household income and the 75th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

6th
percentile, household income
3rd
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
75th
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: Ironwood, MI

Michigan's Ironwood is a small town, with 5,004 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Ironwood households earn a median of $37,191 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 6.8%. Ironwood's housing stock carries a median value of $74,900, and the median resident age is 50.4 years. 19.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 44.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 2 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Low Activity). Ironwood reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 729.8 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Ironwood's yearly average temperature at 40.2°F with 37.4 inches of precipitation per year and 185.5 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Michigan at 96.2 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $973 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Michigan's average monthly utility costs around $238 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 25.6 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

5,004 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$37,191 /yr

Poverty 6.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Ironwood compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 6% higher than other cities
Home value 3% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 75% 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: Ironwood ranks #74 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 Ironwood against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Michigan only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Michigan-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Ironwood near the bottom of Michigan's cities

Among the 727 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Ironwood ranks #576 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Ironwood only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#681 of 718
5th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#576 of 727
0th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#682 of 721
5th percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#413 of 727
42nd percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#363 of 727
50th 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.

6thIncome percentile
75thSafety percentile

6th percentile nationally for median household income · 75th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Ironwood's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Ironwood'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 58 Avg. percentile National median
Ironwood'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 Ironwood's home value compares nationally

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

$74,900 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%). This entry sits in this band. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $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. Ironwood $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 - Ironwood, MI Ironwood, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ironwood, 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 Ironwood, MI median $37,191/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%
Ironwood, 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 Ironwood, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 44.4%

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

Population
5,004
Median Income
$37,191
Median Home Value
$74,900
Median Age
50.4
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Labor force participation
44.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
729.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
202.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
527.1
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
40.2°F
Annual Precipitation
37.4"
Annual Snowfall
185.5"

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 →
4,900 residents4,950 residents5,000 residents5,050 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,027 residents 4,950 residents ▼ -1.5%
Ironwood's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 1
2024 2

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.9%
Carpool
5.1%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
1.7%
Work from Home
6.9%
Other
1.8%

Based on 1,906 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 Ironwood sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
25.6 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Gibraltar
4,937 people
Davison
5,082 people
Frankenmuth
5,108 people
Kingsford
5,138 people
Pearl Beach
4,846 people
Coopersville
4,841 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ironwood's 5,004 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

South Barrington, IL
5,004 people
Sunnyside, CA
5,003 people
Ardsley, NY
5,005 people
New Freedom, PA
5,003 people
Las Piedras zona urbana, PR
5,005 people
Clarkson, NY
5,002 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ironwood's $37,191 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Wrens, GA
$37,192 median income
Bath, IL
$37,188 median income
Ridgeway, MO
$37,188 median income
Stoutland, MO
$37,188 median income
Warrenton, NC
$37,188 median income
Depew, OK
$37,188 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ironwood, 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 Ironwood, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.5% White 94.8% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 0.7% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.6% Some other race 0.2% Two or more races 2.5% 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 Ironwood 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
Ironwood (this city) 5,004 $37,191
Gibraltar 4,937 $88,682
Davison 5,082 $50,450
Frankenmuth 5,108 $84,583
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ironwood, MI?

What is the population of Ironwood, MI? +

Ironwood, MI has a population of 5,004 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Ironwood, MI? +

In Ironwood, the typical household earns $37,191 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ironwood? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Ironwood; 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 Ironwood, MI safe? +

Ironwood has a total crime rate of 729.8 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 Ironwood, MI? +

A typical home in Ironwood is worth $74,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Ironwood? +

Climate normals put Ironwood's yearly average temperature at 40.2°F, 37.4 inches of precipitation, and 185.5 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, 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.