Iron River city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Iron River city, Michigan has a total population of 3,009, the 236th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $48,750, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
Iron River city Quick Facts
How Iron River city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Iron River city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Iron County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Falls city | 1,734 | $59,712 | 21.8% | $79,900 |
| Caspian city | 553 | $36,750 | 25.7% | $69,400 |
| Gaastra city | 324 | $57,500 | 8.2% | $61,000 |
Cities Similar to Iron River city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bad Axe city | 3,010 | $47,535 | $106,700 | 20.0% | 16.3% |
| Corunna city | 3,054 | $47,420 | $142,000 | 14.7% | 14.7% |
| Rogers City city | 2,873 | $47,601 | $93,500 | 20.5% | 12.8% |
| Norway city | 2,835 | $50,025 | $87,300 | 18.6% | 14.6% |
| Gladwin city | 3,081 | $43,638 | $111,700 | 10.0% | 11.8% |
Population Overview
Iron River city is a small community located in Michigan, within Iron County. The total population is 3,009. It ranks as the 236th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Iron River city is 41.4 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Iron River city is $48,750. This is 31% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.2%. This is 78% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $75,000. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Iron River city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Iron River city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 13.2%.
Education
16.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Iron River city, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Iron River city, Michigan?
Iron River city, Michigan has a population of 3,009 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Iron River city, MI?
The median household income in Iron River city is $48,750, which is 38% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Iron River city, MI?
The poverty rate in Iron River city is 23.2%. This means approximately 687 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Iron River city, Michigan?
Iron River city's population is 93.2% White, 0.8% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Iron River city, MI?
The median home value in Iron River city is $75,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Iron River city, Michigan?
16.6% of adults (25+) in Iron River city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.