The Town FilesIron River, Michigan
City in Iron County · population 3,007 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $85,000
- Household income
- $54,183
- Jan low / Jul high
- 0° / 77°
- Snow a year
- 67 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 7
- Median age
- 43.1
Iron River is a city of 3,007 people in Iron County, Michigan. The median home is worth $85,000, below the typical Michigan town ($193,900). It ranks better for retirees than 81% of Michigan towns, more walkable than 77% of Michigan towns, quieter than 75% of Michigan towns.
- #2 in 25 Small Towns in Michigan With the Cheapest Rent
- #4 in The 24 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Michigan
- #12 in The 50 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in America
- #12 in The 50 Best Quiet, Affordable Places to Retire in America
- #12 in The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in Michigan
- #14 in 25 Small Towns in Michigan With the Cheapest Homes
How Iron River ranks
Percentile among Michigan towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Michigan towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Iron River is worth $85,000, below the typical Michigan town ($193,900). Homes cost about 1.6 times the median household income of $54,183, which is more affordable than 99% of Michigan towns. Median rent is $486 a month. 70.0% of households own their home.
| Housing | Iron River | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $85,000 | $193,900 |
| Median rent | $486 | $955 |
| Median household income | $54,183 | $69,792 |
| Home value ÷ income | 1.6× | 2.8× |
| Homeownership | 70.0% | 86.8% |
| Median year built | 1952 | 1975 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 15.0% | — |
Who lives in Iron River
| People | Iron River | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.1 | 43.7 |
| Age 65 and over | 18.4% | 20.7% |
| Under 18 | 21.9% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 21.5% |
| Below the poverty line | 20.6% | 10.4% |
| Veterans | 7.9% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 0.9% | — |
| Work from home | 13.6% | 9.1% |
| Average commute | 11.3 min | 25.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 87.1% | 88.8% |
Weather in Iron River
July highs average 77.0°F and January lows 0.3°F. About 30.5 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 67.4 inches of snow (typical Michigan town: 52.1 in). Expect about 2 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 211 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
7 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Iron River since 1950, compared with 10 for the typical Michigan town. The strongest, an EF1, struck on August 9, 2020 about 7.7 miles from the town center. The most recent was on August 9, 2020.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 22 times; the largest was 1.75 inches on April 18, 2004.
Severe weather in Iron County since 1996
Iron County has been included in 7 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2026 | Flood | DR-4925: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
| March 27, 2020 | Biological | DR-4494: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3455: Covid-19 |
| September 7, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3225: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 6, 2002 | Flood | DR-1413: Flooding |
Jobs and pay in Iron County
Iron County had 3,410 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $44,921 a year. Unemployment was 5.6% in 2023; in Iron River itself the ACS puts it at 4.7%.
Public schools in Iron River
2 public schools with 803 students, about 17.1 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Iron County Middle High School | 6-12 | 438 | 18.3 |
| Stambaugh Elementary School | PK-6 | 365 | 15.9 |
Iron River questions
Is Iron River, Michigan a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Iron River scores better for retirees than 81% of Michigan towns and quieter than 75%. 18.4% of residents are 65 or older (median age 43.1).
How much does a house cost in Iron River?
The median owner-occupied home in Iron River is valued at $85,000 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $54,183, so homes cost about 1.6 times income. Median rent is $486 a month.
What is the weather like in Iron River?
July highs average 77.0°F and January lows 0.3°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 30.5 inches of precipitation a year and 67.4 inches of snow.
Does Iron River get tornadoes?
7 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Iron River since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF1 on August 9, 2020. The typical Michigan town has had 10.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)