Iron County, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Iron 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 |
| State |  Michigan |
| Founded | April 3, 1885 |
| Named for | Iron ore |
| Seat | Crystal Falls |
| Largest city | Iron River |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,211 sq mi (3,140 km2) |
| • Land | 1,166 sq mi (3,020 km2) |
| • Water | 45 sq mi (120 km2) 3.7%% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 11,631 |
| • Density | 10/sq mi (4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
Iron County is one of two landlocked counties in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,631. The county seat is Crystal Falls.
Contents
History
Iron County was organized in 1885, with territory partitioned from Marquette and Menominee counties. In 1890, the county's population was 4,432. It was named for the valuable iron ore found within its borders.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 1,211 square miles (3,140 km2), of which 1,166 square miles (3,020 km2) is land and 45 square miles (120 km2) (3.7%) is water. Along with its southeastern neighbor Dickinson County, it is one of only two landlocked counties in the Upper Peninsula.
Major highways
US 2 – runs east–west through lower part of county. Enters west line at 6 miles (9.7 km) above SW corner, then runs east and southeast to Crystal Falls, where it turns south and runs into Wisconsin. Passes Mineral Hills, Iron River, and Fortune Lake.
US 141 – runs north–south through center of county. Enters north line of county from Covington in Baraga County, then runs south to intersection with US-2 at Crystal Falls.
M-69 – runs east from Crystal Falls into Dickinson County.
M-73 – enters south line of county from Nelma, Wisconsin, then runs northeast to intersection with US-2 at Iron River.- M-189 – enters south line of county from Tipler, Wisconsin, then runs north to intersection with US-2 at Iron River.
Adjacent counties
- Houghton County (north)
- Baraga County (north)
- Marquette County (northeast)
- Dickinson County (east)
- Florence County, Wisconsin (southeast)
- Forest County, Wisconsin (south)
- Vilas County, Wisconsin (southwest)
- Gogebic County (west)
- Ontonagon County (northwest)
National protected area
- Ottawa National Forest (part)
Communities
Cities
- Caspian
- Crystal Falls (county seat)
- Gaastra
- Iron River
Village
Census-designated place
Unincorporated communities
- Beechwood
- Colony Corners
- Elmwood
- Erickson Landing
- Forbes
- Fortune Lake
- Gibbs City – Ghost town on Paint River
- Mansfield Location
- Pentoga
- Rogers
- Stager
Townships
- Bates Township
- Crystal Falls Township
- Hematite Township
- Iron River Township
- Mansfield Township
- Mastodon Township
- Stambaugh Township
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 4,432 | — | |
| 1900 | 8,990 | 102.8% | |
| 1910 | 15,164 | 68.7% | |
| 1920 | 22,107 | 45.8% | |
| 1930 | 20,805 | −5.9% | |
| 1940 | 20,243 | −2.7% | |
| 1950 | 17,692 | −12.6% | |
| 1960 | 17,184 | −2.9% | |
| 1970 | 13,813 | −19.6% | |
| 1980 | 13,635 | −1.3% | |
| 1990 | 13,175 | −3.4% | |
| 2000 | 13,138 | −0.3% | |
| 2010 | 11,817 | −10.1% | |
| 2020 | 11,631 | −1.6% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 11,740 | −0.7% | |
| US Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2018 |
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In 2020, its population was 11,631. The 2010 United States census indicates Iron County had a population of 11,817. This decrease of 1,321 people from the 2000 United States census represents a 10.1% population decrease. In 2010 there were 5,577 households and 3,284 families in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km2). There were 9,197 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3.1/km2). 97.1% of the population were White, 2.9% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Black or African American, 0.2% of some other race and 1.4% of two or more races; 1.4% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). Culturally, 14.3% were of German, 11.5% Finnish, 11.3% Italian, 8.6% French, French Canadian or Cajun, 8.0% Swedish, 6.5% English, 5.8% American and 5.4% Irish ancestry.
In 2010, there were 5,577 households, out of which 18.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.1% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.65.
The county population contained 17.1% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 17.2% from 25 to 44, 34.1% from 45 to 64, and 26.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51.9 years. 49.3% of the population was male, 50.7% was female.
In 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $35,390, and the median income for a family was $46,337. The per capita income for the county was $20,099. About 6.5% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.0% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.
Education
- West Iron County Schools
- Forest Park School District
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Iron (Míchigan) para niños
