Ironwood, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ironwood, Michigan had a total population of 4,997, the 181st largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $41,250, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% 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 11.0% is notably above the national average.
Ironwood Quick Facts
How Ironwood 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 | 5,004 | 4,997 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $37,191 | $41,250 | +10.9% |
| Median home value | $74,900 | $83,100 | +10.9% |
How Ironwood 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+)
Ironwood Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Gogebic County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bessemer | 1,733 | $53,523 | 12.9% | $69,900 |
| Wakefield | 1,683 | $55,759 | 15.0% | $79,100 |
| Ramsay | 312 | $54,643 | 19.9% | $67,700 |
| Watersmeet | 250 | $63,452 | 0.0% | $67,200 |
| Marenisco | 223 | $39,375 | 17.0% | $47,500 |
Cities Similar to Ironwood
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheboygan | 4,820 | $42,290 | $123,200 | 18.8% | 14.9% |
| Springfield | 5,269 | $44,808 | $110,800 | 11.9% | 19.1% |
| Davison | 5,076 | $48,814 | $181,200 | 24.1% | 16.1% |
| Caro | 4,290 | $41,595 | $102,700 | 16.4% | 28.7% |
| Buena Vista | 5,798 | $41,999 | $62,000 | 11.1% | 20.4% |
Population Overview
Ironwood is a small community located in Michigan, within Gogebic County. The total population is 4,997. It ranks as the 181st most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ironwood is 47.9 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 13.8% 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 is $41,250. This is 43% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.0%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 11.0%. This is 93% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $83,100. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Ironwood is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ironwood has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
22.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 93.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ironwood, 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 Ironwood, Michigan?
Ironwood, Michigan has a population of 4,997 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ironwood, MI?
The median household income in Ironwood is $41,250, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ironwood, MI?
The poverty rate in Ironwood is 17.0%. This means approximately 834 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ironwood, Michigan?
Ironwood's population is 92.4% White, 0.2% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ironwood, MI?
The median home value in Ironwood is $83,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Ironwood, Michigan?
22.9% of adults (25+) in Ironwood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.