Iron County, Michigan

Iron County is a county in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 13,138. The county seat is Crystal Falls[1].

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,211 square miles (3,136.5 km2), of which 1,166 square miles (3,019.9 km2) is land and 45 square miles (116.5 km2) (3.69%) is water.

Highways
Entering Iron County on US 2 / US 141

US Highways

    * US 2.svg US 2
    * US 141.svg US 141


Michigan State Trunklines

    * M-69.svg M-69
    * M-73.svg M-73
    * M-189.svg M-189


Federal Forest Highways

    * Forest Route 16.svg Federal Forest Highway 16 (FFH-16)


Adjacent counties

    * Houghton County (north)
    * Baraga County (north)
    * Marquette County (northeast)
    * Ontonagon County (northwest)
    * Dickinson County (east)
    * Gogebic County (west)
    * Florence County, Wisconsin (southeast)
    * Forest County, Wisconsin (south)
    * Vilas County, Wisconsin (southwest)

    Ontonagon County     Houghton County and Baraga County     Marquette County    
Gogebic County         Dickinson County
   Iron County, Michigan   
Vilas County, Wisconsin     Forest County, Wisconsin     Florence County, Wisconsin

National protected area

    * Ottawa National Forest (part)

Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 13,138 people, 5,748 households, and 3,615 families residing in the county. The population density was 11 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 8,772 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.28% White, 1.10% Black or African American, 1.02% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 0.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 14.5% were of German, 13.3% Italian, 12.9% Finnish, 11.0% Polish, 10.4% Swedish, 6.7% English and 5.5% French ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.0% spoke English and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 5,748 households out of which 23.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.40% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.10% were non-families. 33.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.76.

In the county the population was spread out with 20.60% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 22.80% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 25.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,560, and the median income for a family was $37,038. Males had a median income of $28,791 versus $21,077 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,506. About 7.10% of families and 11.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.40% of those under age 18 and 8.10% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only 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.
Iron County elected officials

    * Prosecuting Attorney: Melissa Powell Weston was appointed Prosecuting Attorney after the death of Joe Sartorelli on November 24, 2006. She is Iron County's first female prosecutor.
    * Sheriff: Mark Valesano
    * County Clerk: Joan Luhtanen
    * County Treasurer: Marcia Cornelia
    * Register of Deeds: Mark Selmo
    * Drain Commissioner: Thomas Clark
    * Mine Inspector: Thomas C. Karvala

(information as of January 2007)

Cities, villages, and townships

Cities

    * Caspian
    * Crystal Falls
    * Gaastra
    * Iron River

Villages

    * Alpha

Unincorporated communities

    * Amasa

Townships

    * Bates Township
    * Crystal Falls Township

   

    * Hematite Township
    * Iron River Township

   

    * Mansfield Township
    * Mastodon Township

   

    * Stambaugh Township