Iron River, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Iron River, Michigan had a total population of 3,002, the 236th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $54,183, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
Iron River Quick Facts
How Iron River Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,009 | 3,002 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $48,750 | $54,183 | +11.1% |
| Median home value | $75,000 | $85,000 | +13.3% |
How Iron River Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Iron River Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Iron County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Falls | 1,719 | $60,865 | 20.9% | $83,300 |
| Caspian | 600 | $32,794 | 35.3% | $79,100 |
| Gaastra | 296 | $47,708 | 29.1% | $49,200 |
| Amasa | 253 | $40,764 | 17.4% | $85,400 |
| Alpha | 215 | $39,115 | 21.4% | $34,100 |
Cities Similar to Iron River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitehall | 3,024 | $61,169 | $212,600 | 26.1% | 16.3% |
| Rogers City | 2,878 | $49,266 | $110,200 | 24.4% | 17.7% |
| Mount Morris | 3,117 | $48,794 | $86,600 | 5.2% | 22.7% |
| Bath | 2,896 | $60,417 | $205,800 | 34.5% | 6.1% |
| Corunna | 3,037 | $46,141 | $151,000 | 14.2% | 14.8% |
Population Overview
Iron River is a small community located in Michigan, within Iron County. The total population is 3,002. It ranks as the 236th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Iron River is 43.1 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Iron River is $54,183. This is 26% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.6%. This is 56% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 4.7%. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $85,000. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Iron River is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Iron River has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.1%. The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 13.1%.
Education
20.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Iron River, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Iron River, Michigan?
Iron River, Michigan has a population of 3,002 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Iron River, MI?
The median household income in Iron River is $54,183, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Iron River, MI?
The poverty rate in Iron River is 20.6%. This means approximately 608 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Iron River, Michigan?
Iron River's population is 85.9% White, 1.9% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Iron River, MI?
The median home value in Iron River is $85,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Iron River, Michigan?
20.6% of adults (25+) in Iron River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.