Bessemer, MI

Full City Profile · Michigan · Iron County County

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
1,778 Population 323/sq mi density
$50,792 Median Income $28,189 per capita
$76,100 Home Value $114,443 Zillow
$504 Median Rent 25.0% income on rent
40°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$50,792 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$76,100 home value, $504/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.9% bachelor's degree or higher

Bessemer, MI

At a Glance

Median Income
$50,792
32% below
$28,189 per capita
Home Value
$76,100
73% below
Zillow: $114,443
Median Rent
$504/mo
57% below
25.0% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
19.9%
41% below
96.9% high school+
Unemployment
4.1%
14% above
10.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
37.3%
16% above
18.1% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
40°F

How Bessemer Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Bessemer's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
68%
Home Value
27%
Rent
43%
Poverty
81%
Bachelor's
59%
Unemployment
114%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Bessemer a Good Place to Live?

B+
3.7 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Bessemer residents earn a median household income of $50,792 , which is 32% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $28,189. The unemployment rate stands at 4.1% (14% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 10.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 228 business establishments, including 41 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Bessemer is $76,100 , 73% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $114,443. Median rent is $504/month, with 25.0% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 96.2 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1945.

Education

19.9% of adults in Bessemer hold a bachelor's degree or higher (41% below the national average). 96.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.0/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Bessemer has an average annual temperature of 40°F (5°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.4 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population1,778
Median Age50.2 yrs
Density323/mi²
Male / Female45% / 56%
Foreign Born1.3%
Veterans10.3%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,792
Per Capita$28,189
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty10.0%
County GDP$235M
Avg Weekly Wage$779

Housing

A+
Home Value$76,100
Rent$504
Ownership75.4%
Zillow$114,443
Housing Units1,123
Rent Burden25.0%

Health

Obesity37.3%
Diabetes10.5%
Smoking18.1%
Heart Disease6.5%
Premature Death5,870/100K

Climate

Avg Temp40°F
Rain37.4 in/yr
Elevation1,483 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.9%
High School+96.9%
Graduate+5.1%
School Score5.0/10

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 36%
Commute16 min
Broadband84.8%
Internet Speed51 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries2

Did You Know?

Bessemer was founded in 1884.
The median home in Bessemer was built in 1945.
The nearest airport is Duluth International (105 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.411 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
14.8% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 2 fatal vehicle crashes.