Ishpeming, MI

Michigan

Ishpeming is a small city in Michigan with a population of 6,173. Residents earn $52,717 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
6,173 Population 705/sq mi density
$52,717 Median Income $26,740 per capita
$109,200 Home Value $176,729 Zillow
$688 Median Rent
40°F Avg Temperature
61 Violent Crime/100K 1,375 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$52,717 median income, 5.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$109,200 home value, $688/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
61 violent crimes/100K (84% below avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,717
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $109,200
61% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 61/100K
84% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.3%
22% lower than US avg
Median Rent $688
41% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.7%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.2%
44% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.2%
39% higher than US avg

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

People

Population6,173
Median Age35.5 yrs
Density705/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

B
Median Income$52,717
Per Capita$26,740
Unemployment5.2%
Poverty17.2%
County GDP$3,597M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$109,200
Rent$688
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$176,729

Crime

F
Violent61/100K
Property1,375/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault31/100K
Burglary76/100K

Health

Obesity39.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.1%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp40°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain30.3 in/yr
Elevation1,453 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.3%
High School+94.2%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 45% / D 54%
Commute19 min
Libraries6

Is Ishpeming a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ishpeming receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Ishpeming offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ishpeming is $52,717, 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.2% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 17.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ishpeming is $109,200, 61% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $688 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Ishpeming is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 61 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,375 per 100,000, 30% below the national average.

Education

26.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Ishpeming has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 30.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Ishpeming has a population of 6,173 with a density of 705 people per square mile. The median age is 35.5 years, 9% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.5%), with 3.3% Hispanic.

Population

6,173
Total Population
705
People / sq mi
35.5yrs
Median Age
9% below US avg
8.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.7%
Female 55.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Ishpeming vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.8%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.2%
91% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ishpeming vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ishpeming is $52,717, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Ishpeming vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,717
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,740
Avg Weekly Wage$1,051
IRS Avg AGI$66,951

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.2%
44% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.2%
39% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,762
County GDP$3,597M

Business (County)

Restaurants184
Healthcare217
Retail260
Manufacturing48

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,514
58% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.9 min
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Ishpeming is $109,200, 61% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $688 (41% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $176,729.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$109,200
61% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$176,729
Median List Price$165,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$165,000
$/Sq Ft$158
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio92.4%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory11

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$688
41% 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-Occupied71.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,514
58% above US avg
Effective Rate5.05%
In Ishpeming, 39.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.1% report depression. 23.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.7%
24% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure32.8%
Asthma12.1%
COPD8.3%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.9%
Physical Inactivity23.9%
Depression30.1%
Mental Distress20.4%
Physical Distress14.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.8%
Checkup Rate78.5%
Premature Death7,011/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access84.7%
Healthcare Facilities217
Ishpeming has a violent crime rate of 61 per 100,000 residents, 84% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,375 per 100,000 (30% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent61.1/100K
84% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape30.6/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault30.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,374.7/100K
30% below US avg
Burglary76.4/100K
Theft1,237.2/100K
Vehicle Theft61.1/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ishpeming has an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation is 30.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 65°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average39.8°F
26% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average65°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall30.3 inches
20% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,453 ft (443 m)
Area8.8 sq mi (22.7 km²)
Population Density705/sq mi
Coordinates46.4703°N, 87.6751°W
County FIPS26103
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 26.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (22% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 8.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 44.8%
D 53.5%

Winner: Democrat by 8.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.3%
22% below US avg
High School+94.2%
School Test Score5.23
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density705/sq mi
Total Area8.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities217
Restaurants184
Retail Stores260

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.9 min
Work from Home6.9%

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