County · Michigan
Iron County, Michigan
Iron County, Michigan. Iron County had 11,757 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.1% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). It holds 13 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs, 7 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 26071.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,757
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,631 · ACS 2020-2024: 11,667
Median household income
$55,940
±$3,026 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$109,100
±$6,805 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$716
±$114 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
How many people live in Iron County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 11,631 residents in Iron County. The Census Bureau estimates 11,757 for July 1, 2025, up 1.1% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 11,667 over 1,166 square miles of land.
| Measure | Iron County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 11,667 | 10,077,761 | +515 |
| Households | 5,547±190 | 4,076,369 | +322 |
| Average household size | 2.05±0.07 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,156±51 | 4,622,236 | −169 |
Iron County's population since 2000
From 13,138 in 2000 to 11,757 in 2025: down 10.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Iron County?
Iron County holds 13 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 7 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Iron River with 3,027 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Iron River | 3,007 | $54,183 |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal Falls Township | 1,647 | $57,986 |
| Crystal Falls | 1,598 | $60,865 |
| Stambaugh Township | 1,200 | $70,673 |
| Iron River Township | 1,052 | $55,655 |
| Bates Township | 925 | $54,688 |
| Caspian | 805 | $32,794 |
| Mastodon Township | 576 | $55,625 |
| Gaastra | 316 | $47,708 |
| Hematite Township | 269 | $40,972 |
| Mansfield Township | 236 | $78,750 |
| Amasa | 195 | $40,764 |
| AlphaGEOID 2601800 | 126 | $39,115 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Iron County?
The median resident of Iron County is 53.1 years old; 17.5% are under 18 and 31.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.7%. 0.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Iron County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 53.1±0.5 | 40.2 | −1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 17.5%±0.4 pts | 21.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 31.4%±0.3 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.3% | 5.9% | +0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.6%±1.4 pts | 72.4% | −3.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 13.1% | +0.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 3.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.7%±1.1 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.9 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.4%±0.8 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.1%±1.0 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 22.9%±2.2 pts | 14.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.0%±1.1 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.7%±1.0 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.5%±2.0 pts | 32.4% | +4.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.2%±1.1 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.4%±1.0 pts | 1.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Iron County earn?
Half of Iron County's 5,547 households earn less than $55,940 a year (±$3,026), against $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 it was $51,196 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Iron County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $55,940±$3,026 | $72,875 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $71,732±$3,712 | $98,700 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,784±$2,327 | $40,735 | +$2,855 |
| People below the poverty line | 17.0%±2.5 pts | 13.2% | +3.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 21.6%±6.6 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.3%±2.1 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.1%±2.2 pts | 90.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Iron County?
Owners occupy 84.5% of Iron County's occupied homes and renters 15.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $109,100 by its owner (±$6,805). The median renter pays $716 a month including utilities, and 30.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Iron County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $109,100±$6,805 | $231,600 | +$13,475 |
| Median gross rent | $716±$114 | $1,129 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.9%±7.3 pts | 41.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,165±$51 | $1,569 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 84.5%±2.0 pts | 73.2% | +3.7 pts |
| Housing units | 9,156±51 | 4,622,236 | −169 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±0.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.5%±3.6 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 88.7%±1.7 pts | 72.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.8%±0.8 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 24.5%±2.2 pts | 14.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Iron County building?
Builders took permits for 161 new housing units across Iron County in 2025 (161 single-family), 13.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Iron County get to work?
76.5% of Iron County's workers drive alone and 11.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Iron County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 47.9%±2.2 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4%±1.9 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.5%±2.8 pts | 74.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.6%±1.8 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 3.0%±1.4 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.6%±2.2 pts | 13.5% | +6.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.0 min±1.2 | 24.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Iron County's census tracts?
Iron County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $36,419 (Tract 3) to $64,479 (Tract 2).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Iron County compare with Michigan's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 73rd of 83 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 38th of 83 |
| Residents per square mile | 77th of 83 |
| Median household income | 67th of 83 |
| Median home value | 82nd of 83 |
| Median gross rent | 69th of 83 |
| Poverty rate | 11th of 83 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 41st of 83 |
| Median age | 9th of 83 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Iron County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.