Iron County, Michigan

Iron County
Iron County Courthouse
Iron County Courthouse
Map of Michigan highlighting Iron County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
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
Named forIron ore
SeatCrystal Falls
Largest cityIron River
Area
 • Total1,211 sq mi (3,140 km2)
 • Land1,166 sq mi (3,020 km2)
 • Water45 sq mi (120 km2)  3.7%%
Population
 • Total11,631
 • Density10/sq mi (4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st

Iron County is a county 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.

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 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 (10 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

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
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%
US Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2018

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 (4/km2). There were 9,197 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/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). 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.

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.

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.

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 22) of the national elections through 2020.

Presidential election results
Presidential Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 62.1% 4,216 36.7% 2,493 1.3% 86
2016 61.7% 3,675 33.6% 2,004 4.7% 281
2012 53.6% 3,224 44.7% 2,687 1.7% 101
2008 47.8% 2,947 50.0% 3,080 2.2% 135
2004 49.5% 3,224 49.4% 3,215 1.1% 72
2000 48.0% 2,967 48.7% 3,014 3.4% 207
1996 33.2% 2,014 53.3% 3,232 13.4% 813
1992 28.2% 1,971 52.1% 3,648 19.7% 1,381
1988 42.9% 2,866 56.6% 3,774 0.5% 34
1984 49.2% 3,468 50.4% 3,559 0.4% 29
1980 45.4% 3,507 48.4% 3,742 6.3% 483
1976 41.8% 3,224 57.0% 4,401 1.2% 93
1972 49.2% 3,630 47.6% 3,512 3.2% 234
1968 42.4% 3,292 53.1% 4,130 4.5% 350
1964 28.5% 2,399 71.4% 6,011 0.2% 13
1960 42.8% 3,919 57.1% 5,232 0.2% 14
1956 52.4% 4,955 47.5% 4,490 0.1% 13
1952 49.5% 4,564 49.9% 4,597 0.6% 55
1948 44.6% 3,659 50.2% 4,125 5.2% 428
1944 46.2% 3,945 53.1% 4,537 0.8% 64
1940 49.3% 4,766 49.8% 4,808 0.9% 87
1936 42.0% 3,834 57.1% 5,216 0.9% 80
1932 53.6% 4,347 42.1% 3,416 4.4% 353
1928 64.0% 4,103 35.3% 2,262 0.8% 50
1924 65.1% 2,802 5.7% 247 29.2% 1,258
1920 82.8% 3,515 11.7% 497 5.5% 233
1916 67.5% 2,139 27.7% 877 4.8% 151
1912 45.2% 1,031 9.6% 218 45.2% 1,030
1908 85.6% 2,055 10.8% 260 3.5% 85
1904 90.5% 1,620 7.8% 139 1.7% 31
1900 84.9% 1,561 14.0% 257 1.1% 21
1896 79.7% 1,048 18.0% 236 2.4% 31
1892 59.3% 918 37.9% 587 2.8% 44
1888 53.4% 598 46.4% 520 0.2% 2

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

Communities

Cities

Village

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Townships

See also

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


This page was last updated at 2022-03-05 01:33 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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