Iron River, MI

Michigan

Iron River is a small town in Michigan with a population of 3,009. Residents earn $48,750 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
3,009 Population 446/sq mi density
$48,750 Median Income $26,197 per capita
$75,000 Home Value $115,083 Zillow
$435 Median Rent
39°F Avg Temperature
205 Violent Crime/100K 4,162 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$48,750 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$75,000 home value, $435/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
205 violent crimes/100K (46% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,750
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $75,000
73% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 205/100K
46% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.5%
51% lower than US avg
Median Rent $435
63% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.8%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.8%
19% higher than US avg

How Iron River Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population3,009
Median Age41.4 yrs
Density446/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

B
Median Income$48,750
Per Capita$26,197
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty14.8%
County GDP$420M
Commute11 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$75,000
Rent$435
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$115,083

Crime

F
Violent205/100K
Property4,162/100K
Murder34.1/100K
Assault68/100K
Burglary1,092/100K

Health

Obesity40.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.0%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp39°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain30.5 in/yr
Elevation1,481 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.5%
High School+94.0%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 35%
Commute11 min
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Is Iron River a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Iron River receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Iron River has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Iron River is $48,750, 35% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. 14.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Iron River is $75,000, 73% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $435 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Iron River is below the national average at 205 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,162 per 100,000, 112% above the national average.

Education

16.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Iron River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F. Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 30.5 inches, including 67.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Iron River has a population of 3,009 with a density of 446 people per square mile. The median age is 41.4 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.7%), with 2.1% Hispanic.

Population

3,009
Total Population
446
People / sq mi
41.4yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
6.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.6%
Female 52.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Iron River vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.9%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.1%
92% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Iron River vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Iron River is $48,750, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes.

Income: Iron River vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,750
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,197
Avg Weekly Wage$864
IRS Avg AGI$53,815

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.8%
19% above US avg
Establishments (County)392
County GDP$420M

Business (County)

Restaurants38
Healthcare28
Retail50
Manufacturing17

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,533
30% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.04%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time11.2 min
Work from Home7.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Iron River is $75,000, 73% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $435 (63% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $115,083.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$75,000
73% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$115,083

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$435
63% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$807
1 Bedroom$891
2 Bedrooms$1,113
3 Bedrooms$1,419
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,533
30% above US avg
Effective Rate6.04%
In Iron River, 40.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.0% report depression. 27.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Iron River vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.8%
27% above US avg
Diabetes11.1%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure34.7%
Asthma12.2%
COPD9.3%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.7%
Physical Inactivity27.6%
Depression30.0%
Mental Distress21.3%
Physical Distress15.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.7%
Checkup Rate76.5%
Premature Death10,774/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access82.3%
Healthcare Facilities28
Iron River has a violent crime rate of 205 per 100,000 residents, 46% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,162 per 100,000 (112% above US avg). The murder rate is 34.1 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Iron River vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent204.7/100K
46% below US avg
Murder34.1/100K
442% above US avg
Rape102.4/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault68.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,162.4/100K
112% above US avg
Burglary1,091.8/100K
Theft3,070.6/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Iron River has an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation is 30.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average38.5°F
29% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall30.5 inches
20% below US avg
Snowfall67.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,481 ft (451 m)
Area6.7 sq mi (17.5 km²)
Population Density446/sq mi
Coordinates46.0959°N, 88.6366°W
County FIPS26071
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 16.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (51% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 29.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.1%
D 34.7%

Winner: Republican by 29.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.5%
51% below US avg
High School+94.0%
School Test Score5.23
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density446/sq mi
Total Area6.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities28
Restaurants38
Retail Stores50

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute11.2 min
Work from Home7.2%

Nearby Cities

Compare Iron River with another city: