Gogebic County, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gogebic County
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Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
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 Michigan's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Michigan |
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| Founded | 1887 | |
| Named for | Lake Gogebic | |
| Seat | Bessemer | |
| Largest city | Ironwood | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1,476 sq mi (3,820 km2) | |
| • Land | 1,102 sq mi (2,850 km2) | |
| • Water | 374 sq mi (970 km2) 25%% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 14,380 | |
| • Density | 15/sq mi (6/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | |
| Congressional district | 1st | |
Gogebic County (/ɡoʊˈɡiːbɪk/ goh-GHEE-bik or /ɡoʊˈɡɛbɪk/ goh-GHEH-bik) is a county in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,380. The county seat is Bessemer. Gogebic County is the westernmost county in Michigan, and is one of four Michigan counties within the Central Time Zone. Gogebic County borders Wisconsin to the south, and has a shoreline on Lake Superior to the north.
Gogebic County has long been territory of the Lake Superior Chippewa. The Lac Vieux Desert Indian Reservation is located within Gogebic County.
History
Gogebic County was organized in 1887, partitioned from Ontonagon County. The county's name derives from a lake of the same name, which was originally rendered Agogebic. Sources agree that the name is from Ojibwe, but differ on the original meaning. The county's website suggests it meant "body of water hanging on high," but an 1884 military annal said it meant "water-mold lake" (Agogibing). (See also: List of place names of Native American origin in Michigan)
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,476 square miles (3,820 km2), of which 1,102 square miles (2,850 km2) is land and 374 square miles (970 km2) (25%) is water.
Water features
- Lake Superior – forms the county's northern land border.
- Lake Gogebic – the largest lake in the Upper Peninsula.
- Montreal River – forms the county's western border, as well as the state's border with Wisconsin in this area.
Adjacent counties
- Ontonagon County – north, northeast (Eastern Time)
- Iron County – east (Central Time)
- Vilas County, Wisconsin – south
- Iron County, Wisconsin – southwest
- Ashland County, Wisconsin – northwest
National protected area
- Ottawa National Forest (part)
State protected area
Communities
Cities
Charter township
- Ironwood Charter Township
Civil townships
- Bessemer Township
- Erwin Township
- Marenisco Township
- Wakefield Township
- Watersmeet Township
Census-designated places
Other unincorporated communities
Indian reservations
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 13,166 | — | |
| 1900 | 16,738 | 27.1% | |
| 1910 | 23,333 | 39.4% | |
| 1920 | 33,225 | 42.4% | |
| 1930 | 31,577 | −5.0% | |
| 1940 | 31,797 | 0.7% | |
| 1950 | 27,053 | −14.9% | |
| 1960 | 24,370 | −9.9% | |
| 1970 | 20,676 | −15.2% | |
| 1980 | 19,686 | −4.8% | |
| 1990 | 18,052 | −8.3% | |
| 2000 | 17,370 | −3.8% | |
| 2010 | 16,427 | −5.4% | |
| 2020 | 14,380 | −12.5% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 14,224 | −13.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2018 |
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The 2010 United States census indicated Gogebic County had a population of 16,427. This decrease of 943 people from the 2000 United States census was a -5.4% change in population. In 2010, there were 7,037 households and 4,171 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (5.8 people/km2). There were 10,795 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (3.9/km2). Among them, 91.7% of the population were White, 4.1% Black or African American, 2.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% of some other race and 1.4% of two or more races. 0.9% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 17.4% were of Finnish, 12.8% German, 11.2% American, 10.0% Italian, 6.8% Polish, 6.7% English and 5.1% Irish ancestry.
By the 2020 census, its population was 14,380. Its population remained predominantly non-Hispanic white, and the largest ancestries as of 2022's American Community Survey were German (16.5%), Italian (13.6%), English (9.5%), and Polish (7.9%).
In 2010, were 7,037 households, out of which 20.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.7% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.69. Its county population was 16.9% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 31.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.8 years. 53.3% of the population was male, and 46.7% of the population was female.
As of 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $34,917, and the median income for a family was $47,219. The per capita income for the county was $20,759. About 14.0% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.6% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.
Sports
Gogebic is the only known place in the Upper Peninsula to ever host a professional sports team, with Ironwood hosting the Northwest Football League's Gogebic Panthers in 1935 and 1936. Their 1935 campaign was immensely successful as the Panthers finished with a 6–1 record, their only loss coming to the eventual league champion La Crosse Old Style Lagers. Their 1936 campaign featured a 6–0 victory over the Madison Cardinals, who folded a few days after the Lagers defeated them 100–0 in an effort to kick them out of the league.
Transportation
Major highways
US 2
Bus. US 2 serves the city of Ironwood.
US 45
M-28
M-64
Transit
- Indian Trails
Airport
- KIWD - Gogebic-Iron County Airport – 7 miles (11 km) NE of Ironwood. Commercial air service is available.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Gogebic para niños
