The Town FilesIronwood, Michigan
City in Gogebic County · population 5,045 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $83,100
- Household income
- $41,250
- Jan low / Jul high
- 4° / 76°
- Snow a year
- 186 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 4
- Median age
- 47.9
Ironwood is a city of 5,045 people in Gogebic County, Michigan. The median home is worth $83,100, below the typical Michigan town ($193,900). It ranks hipper than 99% of Michigan towns, more walkable than 94% of Michigan towns, more vibrant than 87% of Michigan towns.
- #7 in The 25 Snowiest Small Towns in Michigan
- #8 in 25 Small Towns in Michigan With the Oldest Homes
- #9 in The 25 Hippest Small Towns in Michigan
- #10 in The 25 Most Walkable Historic Small Towns in Michigan
- #12 in 25 Small Towns in Michigan With the Cheapest Rent
- #13 in 25 Small Towns in Michigan With the Cheapest Homes
How Ironwood 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 Ironwood is worth $83,100, below the typical Michigan town ($193,900). Homes cost about 2.0 times the median household income of $41,250, which is more affordable than 94% of Michigan towns. Median rent is $622 a month. 72.1% of households own their home.
| Housing | Ironwood | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $83,100 | $193,900 |
| Median rent | $622 | $955 |
| Median household income | $41,250 | $69,792 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.0× | 2.8× |
| Homeownership | 72.1% | 86.8% |
| Median year built | 1941 | 1975 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 10.9% | — |
Who lives in Ironwood
| People | Ironwood | Typical Michigan town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.9 | 43.7 |
| Age 65 and over | 27.5% | 20.7% |
| Under 18 | 17.4% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 21.5% |
| Below the poverty line | 17.0% | 10.4% |
| Veterans | 10.4% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 0.4% | — |
| Work from home | 7.9% | 9.1% |
| Average commute | 17.9 min | 25.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 84.7% | 88.8% |
Weather in Ironwood
July highs average 76.3°F and January lows 3.9°F. About 37.4 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 185.5 inches of snow (typical Michigan town: 52.1 in). Expect about 2 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 187 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
4 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Ironwood since 1950, compared with 10 for the typical Michigan town. The strongest, an EF1, struck on July 11, 2016 about 5.7 miles from the town center. The most recent was on July 11, 2016.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 17 times; the largest was 2.00 inches on May 18, 2024.
Severe weather in Gogebic County since 1996
Gogebic County has been included in 9 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, freezing.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| March 27, 2020 | Biological | DR-4494: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3455: Covid-19 |
| August 2, 2018 | Flood | DR-4381: Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides |
| June 18, 2013 | Flood | DR-4121: Flooding |
| September 7, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3225: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Jobs and pay in Gogebic County
Gogebic County had 5,046 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $48,384 a year. Unemployment was 4.7% in 2023; in Ironwood itself the ACS puts it at 11%.
Public schools in Ironwood
2 public schools with 766 students, about 12.6 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luther L Wright K12 School | PK-12 | 729 | 12.4 |
| Gogebic Co Community Education | 9-12 | 37 | 18.5 |
Ironwood questions
Is Ironwood, Michigan a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Ironwood scores better for retirees than 71% of Michigan towns and quieter than 29%. 27.5% of residents are 65 or older (median age 47.9).
How much does a house cost in Ironwood?
The median owner-occupied home in Ironwood is valued at $83,100 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $41,250, so homes cost about 2.0 times income. Median rent is $622 a month.
What is the weather like in Ironwood?
July highs average 76.3°F and January lows 3.9°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 37.4 inches of precipitation a year and 185.5 inches of snow.
Does Ironwood get tornadoes?
4 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Ironwood since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF1 on July 11, 2016. 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)