County · Michigan
Ontonagon County, Michigan
Ontonagon County, Michigan. Ontonagon County had 5,823 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.3% since 2020, in line with Michigan (+0.5%). It holds 20 places (1 city, village or borough, 11 towns and townships and 8 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 26131.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,823
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,816 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,850
Median household income
$54,398
±$5,453 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$111,700
±$4,970 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$540
±$68 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
How many people live in Ontonagon County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,816 residents in Ontonagon County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,823 for July 1, 2025, up 0.3% since 2020, in line with Michigan (+0.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,850 over 1,311 square miles of land.
| Measure | Ontonagon County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,850 | 10,077,761 | −27 |
| Households | 3,149±131 | 4,076,369 | +356 |
| Average household size | 1.84±0.08 | 2.42 | −0.23 |
| Housing units | 5,238±65 | 4,622,236 | −450 |
Ontonagon County's population since 2000
From 7,818 in 2000 to 5,823 in 2025: down 25.5%. 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 Ontonagon County?
Ontonagon County holds 20 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place), 11 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 8 census-designated places. The largest is Ontonagon Township with 2,277 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Ontonagon Township | 2,253 | $59,135 |
|---|---|---|
| Ontonagon | 1,285 | $50,164 |
| Stannard Township | 645 | $57,500 |
| Greenland Township | 628 | $64,286 |
| Carp Lake Township, Ontonagon County | 582 | $45,278 |
| Bergland Township | 438 | $45,132 |
| McMillan Township, Ontonagon County | 406 | $49,286 |
| White Pine | 339 | $39,861 |
| Interior Township | 270 | $42,500 |
| Ewen | 229 | $60,625 |
| Rockland TownshipGEOID 2613169140 | 226 | $45,500 |
| Haight Township | 203 | $50,893 |
| Bruce CrossingGEOID 2611320 | 184 | $74,583 |
| RocklandGEOID 2669120 | 173 | $44,375 |
| Mass CityGEOID 2652280 | 148 | $74,313 |
| GreenlandGEOID 2634980 | 146 | $42,500 |
| BerglandGEOID 2607620 | 141 | $44,375 |
| Lake GogebicGEOID 2644620 | 122 | $36,797 |
| Matchwood TownshipGEOID 2613152320 | 90 | $79,722 |
| Bohemia TownshipGEOID 2613109460 | 75 | $47,083 |
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 Ontonagon County?
The median resident of Ontonagon County is 59.8 years old; 11.4% are under 18 and 38.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.3%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.2%. 1.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ontonagon County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 59.8±0.6 | 40.2 | +1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 11.4%±0.5 pts | 21.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 38.2%±0.4 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.8% | 5.9% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.3%±0.5 pts | 72.4% | −2.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 13.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 3.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.2%±0.8 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.1%±0.4 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.3%±0.6 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 14.0%±1.4 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 22.0%±1.8 pts | 14.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.5%±1.4 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.5%±1.2 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.4%±2.1 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.5%±1.4 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.1%±1.5 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 Ontonagon County earn?
Half of Ontonagon County's 3,149 households earn less than $54,398 a year (±$5,453), against $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 it was $51,130 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ontonagon County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,398±$5,453 | $72,875 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $67,617±$3,758 | $98,700 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,400±$1,700 | $40,735 | +$3,606 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.5%±2.7 pts | 13.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.0%±7.4 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.3%±1.8 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.1%±1.9 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 Ontonagon County?
Owners occupy 87.1% of Ontonagon County's occupied homes and renters 12.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $111,700 by its owner (±$4,970). The median renter pays $540 a month including utilities, and 23.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ontonagon County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $111,700±$4,970 | $231,600 | +$25,551 |
| Median gross rent | $540±$68 | $1,129 | −$104 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 23.7%±9.4 pts | 41.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,094±$55 | $1,569 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 87.1%±2.2 pts | 73.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,238±65 | 4,622,236 | −450 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.3%±0.9 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.6%±4.4 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 89.8%±1.5 pts | 72.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.0%±1.2 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 23.4%±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 Ontonagon County building?
Builders took permits for 10 new housing units across Ontonagon County in 2025 (4 single-family), 1.7 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 Ontonagon County get to work?
68.1% of Ontonagon County's workers drive alone and 11.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.3%.
| Measure | Ontonagon County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 42.9%±1.6 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3%±1.8 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 68.1%±4.8 pts | 74.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.5%±3.1 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 6.0%±2.8 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.7%±2.9 pts | 13.5% | +4.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.0 min±3.3 | 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 Ontonagon County's census tracts?
Ontonagon County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $51,964 (Tract 9701) to $56,250 (Tract 9702).
| Tract 970126131970100 | 1,509±119 | $51,964 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970226131970200 | 2,640±158 | $56,250 |
| Tract 970326131970300 | 1,701±127 | $53,897 |
| Tract 990126131990100 | 0±11 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Ontonagon County compare with Michigan's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 82nd of 83 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 51st of 83 |
| Residents per square mile | 82nd of 83 |
| Median household income | 75th of 83 |
| Median home value | 81st of 83 |
| Median gross rent | 83rd of 83 |
| Poverty rate | 49th of 83 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 66th of 83 |
| Median age | 2nd 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 Ontonagon 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.