Ironwood city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Ironwood city, Michigan has a total population of 5,004, the 180th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $37,191, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 12.7% is notably above the national average.
Ironwood city Quick Facts
How Ironwood 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+)
Ironwood city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Gogebic County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wakefield city | 1,789 | $48,413 | 22.0% | $71,400 |
| Bessemer city | 1,778 | $50,792 | 15.4% | $76,100 |
Cities Similar to Ironwood city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheboygan city | 4,801 | $41,338 | $118,700 | 16.9% | 19.0% |
| Allegan city | 5,182 | $42,261 | $161,100 | 15.3% | 15.1% |
| Springfield city | 5,295 | $43,681 | $105,300 | 10.9% | 22.1% |
| Dowagiac city | 5,677 | $38,433 | $110,300 | 12.1% | 30.4% |
| Davison city | 5,082 | $50,450 | $166,100 | 25.5% | 16.2% |
Population Overview
Ironwood city is a small city located in Michigan, within Gogebic County. The total population is 5,004. It ranks as the 180th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ironwood city is 50.4 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. Only 14.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ironwood city is $37,191. This is 48% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 53% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.9%. This is 14% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. The unemployment rate is 12.7%. This is 119% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $74,900. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Ironwood city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Ironwood city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.5%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 5.7%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
19.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 93.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ironwood 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.
Free data download: Get all Michigan city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ironwood city, Michigan?
Ironwood city, Michigan has a population of 5,004 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ironwood city, MI?
The median household income in Ironwood city is $37,191, which is 53% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Ironwood city, MI?
The poverty rate in Ironwood city is 14.9%. This means approximately 732 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ironwood city, Michigan?
Ironwood city's population is 93.5% White, 0.5% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ironwood city, MI?
The median home value in Ironwood city is $74,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Ironwood city, Michigan?
19.5% of adults (25+) in Ironwood city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.