Iron County, Michigan

Iron County, Michigan
County
Iron County Courthouse
Iron County Courthouse
Map of Michigan highlighting Iron County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Coordinates: 46°13′N 88°31′W / 46.21°N 88.51°W / 46.21; -88.51
Country United States
State Michigan
FoundedApril 3, 1885[1][2]
Named afterIron ore
SeatCrystal Falls
Largest cityIron River
Area
 • Total
1,211 sq mi (3,140 km2)
 • Land1,166 sq mi (3,020 km2)
 • Water45 sq mi (120 km2)  3.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
11,631
 • Estimate 
(2024)
11,709 Decrease
 • Density10/sq mi (3.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websiteironmi.com

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.[3] The county seat is Crystal Falls.[4]

History

Iron County was organized in 1885, with territory partitioned from Marquette and Menominee counties. In 1890, the county's population was 4,432.[1][5] It was named for the valuable iron ore found within its borders.[1][6]

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.[7] Along with its southeastern neighbor Dickinson County, it is one of only two landlocked counties in the Upper Peninsula.

Major highways

Entering Iron County on US 2 / US 141
  • 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.[8]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Communities

Cities

Village

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18904,432—
19008,990102.8%
191015,16468.7%
192022,10745.8%
193020,805−5.9%
194020,243−2.7%
195017,692−12.6%
196017,184−2.9%
197013,813−19.6%
198013,635−1.3%
199013,175−3.4%
200013,138−0.3%
201011,817−10.1%
202011,631−1.6%
2024 (est.)11,709[9] Increase0.7%
US Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2018[3]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 11,631, a median age of 53.6 years, and 17.4% of residents under the age of 18 while 29.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older.[14]

For every 100 females there were 101.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 103.7 males age 18 and over.[14]

The racial makeup of the county was 94.0% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 4.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.8% of the population.[15]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[16]

There were 5,521 households in the county, of which 18.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.2% were married-couple households, 25.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[14]

There were 8,878 housing units, of which 37.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 81.3% were owner-occupied and 18.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.2%.[14]

2010 census

The 2010 United States census indicates Iron County had a population of 11,817, 5,577 households, and 3,284 families, for a population density of 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). This decrease of 1,321 people from the 2000 United States census represents a 10.1% population decrease.[17]

In 2010, 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.[18]

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.[17]

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.[17]

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.[17]

Government

Iron County was reliably Republican during its first three decades. However, since 1936 its voters have selected the Democratic Party nominee in 16 (out of 23) of the national elections through 2024, though it has voted Republican in the four most recent elections and five of the last six.

United States presidential election results for Iron County, Michigan[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1888 598 53.39% 520 46.43% 2 0.18%
1892 918 59.26% 587 37.90% 44 2.84%
1896 1,048 79.70% 236 17.95% 31 2.36%
1900 1,561 84.88% 257 13.97% 21 1.14%
1904 1,620 90.50% 139 7.77% 31 1.73%
1908 2,055 85.63% 260 10.83% 85 3.54%
1912 1,031 45.24% 218 9.57% 1,030 45.20%
1916 2,139 67.54% 877 27.69% 151 4.77%
1920 3,515 82.80% 497 11.71% 233 5.49%
1924 2,802 65.06% 247 5.73% 1,258 29.21%
1928 4,103 63.96% 2,262 35.26% 50 0.78%
1932 4,347 53.56% 3,416 42.09% 353 4.35%
1936 3,834 41.99% 5,216 57.13% 80 0.88%
1940 4,766 49.33% 4,808 49.77% 87 0.90%
1944 3,945 46.16% 4,537 53.09% 64 0.75%
1948 3,659 44.56% 4,125 50.23% 428 5.21%
1952 4,564 49.52% 4,597 49.88% 55 0.60%
1956 4,955 52.39% 4,490 47.47% 13 0.14%
1960 3,919 42.76% 5,232 57.09% 14 0.15%
1964 2,399 28.48% 6,011 71.36% 13 0.15%
1968 3,292 42.36% 4,130 53.14% 350 4.50%
1972 3,630 49.21% 3,512 47.61% 234 3.17%
1976 3,224 41.77% 4,401 57.02% 93 1.20%
1980 3,507 45.36% 3,742 48.40% 483 6.25%
1984 3,468 49.15% 3,559 50.44% 29 0.41%
1988 2,866 42.94% 3,774 56.55% 34 0.51%
1992 1,971 28.16% 3,648 52.11% 1,381 19.73%
1996 2,014 33.24% 3,232 53.34% 813 13.42%
2000 2,967 47.95% 3,014 48.71% 207 3.35%
2004 3,224 49.52% 3,215 49.38% 72 1.11%
2008 2,947 47.83% 3,080 49.98% 135 2.19%
2012 3,224 53.63% 2,687 44.69% 101 1.68%
2016 3,675 61.66% 2,004 33.62% 281 4.71%
2020 4,216 62.05% 2,493 36.69% 86 1.27%
2024 4,501 64.00% 2,441 34.71% 91 1.29%
United States Senate election results for Iron County, Michigan1[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 4,328 62.69% 2,404 34.82% 172 2.49%
Michigan Gubernatorial election results for Iron County
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2022 3,282 58.40% 2,236 39.79% 102 1.81%

Iron County operates the County jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget and has limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions – police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance etc. – are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Education

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Bibliography on Iron County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  2. ^ "jengod.com". Archived from the original on June 20, 2006. Retrieved June 16, 2006.
  3. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ Michigan Department of State (1893). Michigan and Its Resources, pp. 241-42. Robert Smith & Co.
  6. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 166.
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d Iron County MI Google Maps (accessed 18 September 2018)
  9. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates Tables". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  10. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  14. ^ a b c d "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  15. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  16. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  17. ^ a b c d "U.S. Census website". Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  18. ^ Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS). "U.S. Census website". census.gov.
  19. ^ Leip, David. "US Election Atlas". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  20. ^ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Michigan by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.

46°13′N 88°31′W / 46.21°N 88.51°W / 46.21; -88.51

allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_County,_Michigan