Ironwood, MI

Michigan

Ironwood is a small city in Michigan with a population of 5,004. Residents earn $37,191 per year, which is 51% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
5,004 Population 760/sq mi density
$37,191 Median Income $32,293 per capita
$74,900 Home Value $99,048 Zillow
$555 Median Rent 28.6% income on rent
40°F Avg Temperature
156 Violent Crime/100K 1,811 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$37,191 median income, 6.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$74,900 home value, $555/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
156 violent crimes/100K (59% below avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $37,191
51% lower than US avg
Home Value $74,900
73% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 156/100K
59% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.5%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $555
52% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.4%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.5%
81% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.8%
45% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,004
Median Age50.4 yrs
Density760/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans10.3%

Economy

B
Median Income$37,191
Per Capita$32,293
Unemployment6.5%
Poverty6.8%
County GDP$235M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$74,900
Rent$555
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$99,048
Rent Burden28.6%

Crime

F
Violent156/100K
Property1,811/100K
Murder19.5/100K
Assault136/100K
Burglary78/100K

Health

Obesity39.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.5%
Heart Disease7.3%

Climate

Avg Temp40°F
AQI38 (Good)
Elevation1,566 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.5%
High School+93.5%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 36%
Commute19 min
Broadband82.3%
EV Stations1
Libraries2

Is Ironwood a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ironwood is $37,191, 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.5% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 6.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ironwood is $74,900, 73% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $555 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Ironwood is below the national average at 156 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,811 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

19.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Ironwood has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F. Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Ironwood has a population of 5,004 with a density of 760 people per square mile. The median age is 50.4 years, 30% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.8%), with 1.5% Hispanic.

Population

5,004
Total Population
760
People / sq mi
50.4yrs
Median Age
30% above US avg
6.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.9%
Female 49.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Ironwood vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.6%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.4%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ironwood vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ironwood is $37,191, which is 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 6.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Ironwood vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$37,191
51% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,293
Avg Weekly Wage$779
IRS Avg AGI$60,358

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.5%
81% above US avg
Poverty Rate6.8%
45% below US avg
Establishments (County)228
County GDP$235M

Business (County)

Restaurants41
Healthcare16
Retail24
Manufacturing9

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,800
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.41%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.6 min
Drive Alone83.9%
Public Transit0.6%
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Ironwood is $74,900, 73% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $555 (52% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $99,048.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$74,900
73% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$99,048

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$555
52% below US avg
Rent Burden28.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,800
37% above US avg
Effective Rate6.41%
In Ironwood, 39.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.5% report depression. 28.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Ironwood vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.4%
23% above US avg
Diabetes11.9%
Heart Disease7.3%
High Blood Pressure35.7%
Asthma12.4%
COPD10.1%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.8%
Physical Inactivity28.9%
Depression30.5%
Mental Distress21.8%
Physical Distress16.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.2%
Checkup Rate77.6%
Premature Death5,870/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access47.1%
Healthcare Facilities16
Ironwood has a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, 59% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,811 per 100,000 (8% below US avg). The murder rate is 19.5 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent155.8/100K
59% below US avg
Murder19.5/100K
209% above US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault136.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,811.5/100K
8% below US avg
Burglary77.9/100K
Theft1,636.2/100K
Vehicle Theft97.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ironwood has an average annual temperature of 40°F (5°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average40.2°F
26% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,566 ft (477 m)
Area6.6 sq mi (17.0 km²)
Population Density760/sq mi
Coordinates46.4522°N, 90.1504°W
County FIPS55051
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 19.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 26.2-point margin. 82.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.7%
D 36.5%

Winner: Republican by 26.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.5%
42% below US avg
High School+93.5%
School Test Score5.23
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density760/sq mi
Total Area6.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access82.3%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities16
Restaurants41
Retail Stores24

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.6 min
Drive Alone83.9%
Public Transit0.6%
Work from Home6.9%

Nearby Cities

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