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Iron County, Michigan

Coordinates: 46°13′N 88°31′W / 46.21°N 88.51°W / 46.21; -88.51
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Iron County
County
Iron County Courthouse
Iron County Courthouse
Map of Michigan highlighting Iron County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°13′N 88°31′W / 46.21°N 88.51°W / 46.21; -88.51
Country United States
State Michigan
FoundedApril 3, 1885[1][2]
Named forIron ore
SeatCrystal Falls
Largest cityIron River
Area
 • Total
1,211 sq mi (3,140 km2)
 • Land1,166 sq mi (3,020 km2)
 • Water45 sq mi (120 km2)  3.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
11,631
 • Density10/sq mi (4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websiteironmi.com

Iron County is one of two landlocked counties in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,631.[3] The county seat is Crystal Falls.[4]

History

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Iron County was organized in 1885, with territory partitioned from Marquette and Menominee counties. In 1890, the county's population was 4,432.[1][5] It was named for the valuable iron ore found within its borders.[1][6]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 1,211 square miles (3,140 km2), of which 1,166 square miles (3,020 km2) is land and 45 square miles (120 km2) (3.7%) is water.[7] Along with its southeastern neighbor Dickinson County, it is one of only two landlocked counties in the Upper Peninsula.

Major highways

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Entering Iron County on US 2 / US 141
  • US 2 – runs east–west through lower part of county. Enters west line at 6 miles (9.7 km) above SW corner, then runs east and southeast to Crystal Falls, where it turns south and runs into Wisconsin. Passes Mineral Hills, Iron River, and Fortune Lake.
  • US 141 – runs north–south through center of county. Enters north line of county from Covington in Baraga County, then runs south to intersection with US-2 at Crystal Falls.
  • M-69 – runs east from Crystal Falls into Dickinson County.
  • M-73 – enters south line of county from Nelma, Wisconsin, then runs northeast to intersection with US-2 at Iron River.
  • M-189 – enters south line of county from Tipler, Wisconsin, then runs north to intersection with US-2 at Iron River.[8]

Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Communities

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Cities

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Village

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Census-designated place

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Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18904,432—
19008,990102.8%
191015,16468.7%
192022,10745.8%
193020,805−5.9%
194020,243−2.7%
195017,692−12.6%
196017,184−2.9%
197013,813−19.6%
198013,635−1.3%
199013,175−3.4%
200013,138−0.3%
201011,817−10.1%
202011,631−1.6%
2023 (est.)11,740[9]0.9%
US Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2018[3]

In 2020, its population was 11,631.[3] The 2010 United States census indicates Iron County had a population of 11,817.[14] This decrease of 1,321 people from the 2000 United States census represents a 10.1% population decrease. In 2010 there were 5,577 households and 3,284 families in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km2). There were 9,197 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3.1/km2). 97.1% of the population were White, 2.9% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Black or African American, 0.2% of some other race and 1.4% of two or more races; 1.4% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). Culturally, 14.3% were of German, 11.5% Finnish, 11.3% Italian, 8.6% French, French Canadian or Cajun, 8.0% Swedish, 6.5% English, 5.8% American and 5.4% Irish ancestry.[15]

In 2010, there were 5,577 households, out of which 18.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.1% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.65.

The county population contained 17.1% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 17.2% from 25 to 44, 34.1% from 45 to 64, and 26.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51.9 years. 49.3% of the population was male, 50.7% was female.

In 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $35,390, and the median income for a family was $46,337. The per capita income for the county was $20,099. About 6.5% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.0% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government

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Iron County was reliably Republican during its first three decades. However, since 1936 its voters have selected the Democratic Party nominee in 16 (out of 23) of the national elections through 2024, though it has voted Republican in the four most recent elections and five of the last six.

United States presidential election results for Iron County, Michigan[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 4,501 64.05% 2,441 34.74% 85 1.21%
2020 4,216 62.05% 2,493 36.69% 86 1.27%
2016 3,675 61.66% 2,004 33.62% 281 4.71%
2012 3,224 53.63% 2,687 44.69% 101 1.68%
2008 2,947 47.83% 3,080 49.98% 135 2.19%
2004 3,224 49.52% 3,215 49.38% 72 1.11%
2000 2,967 47.95% 3,014 48.71% 207 3.35%
1996 2,014 33.24% 3,232 53.34% 813 13.42%
1992 1,971 28.16% 3,648 52.11% 1,381 19.73%
1988 2,866 42.94% 3,774 56.55% 34 0.51%
1984 3,468 49.15% 3,559 50.44% 29 0.41%
1980 3,507 45.36% 3,742 48.40% 483 6.25%
1976 3,224 41.77% 4,401 57.02% 93 1.20%
1972 3,630 49.21% 3,512 47.61% 234 3.17%
1968 3,292 42.36% 4,130 53.14% 350 4.50%
1964 2,399 28.48% 6,011 71.36% 13 0.15%
1960 3,919 42.76% 5,232 57.09% 14 0.15%
1956 4,955 52.39% 4,490 47.47% 13 0.14%
1952 4,564 49.52% 4,597 49.88% 55 0.60%
1948 3,659 44.56% 4,125 50.23% 428 5.21%
1944 3,945 46.16% 4,537 53.09% 64 0.75%
1940 4,766 49.33% 4,808 49.77% 87 0.90%
1936 3,834 41.99% 5,216 57.13% 80 0.88%
1932 4,347 53.56% 3,416 42.09% 353 4.35%
1928 4,103 63.96% 2,262 35.26% 50 0.78%
1924 2,802 65.06% 247 5.73% 1,258 29.21%
1920 3,515 82.80% 497 11.71% 233 5.49%
1916 2,139 67.54% 877 27.69% 151 4.77%
1912 1,031 45.24% 218 9.57% 1,030 45.20%
1908 2,055 85.63% 260 10.83% 85 3.54%
1904 1,620 90.50% 139 7.77% 31 1.73%
1900 1,561 84.88% 257 13.97% 21 1.14%
1896 1,048 79.70% 236 17.95% 31 2.36%
1892 918 59.26% 587 37.90% 44 2.84%
1888 598 53.39% 520 46.43% 2 0.18%

Iron County operates the County jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget and has limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions – police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance etc. – are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Education

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Bibliography on Iron County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  2. ^ "jengod.com". Archived from the original on June 20, 2006. Retrieved June 16, 2006.
  3. ^ a b c "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ Michigan Department of State (1893). Michigan and Its Resources, pp. 241-42. Robert Smith & Co.
  6. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 166.
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d Iron County MI Google Maps (accessed 18 September 2018)
  9. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  10. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  15. ^ Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS). "U.S. Census website". census.gov.
  16. ^ Leip, David. "US Election Atlas". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
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46°13′N 88°31′W / 46.21°N 88.51°W / 46.21; -88.51

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