Population 6,210 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Iron County
Household size in Iron County
| Period | Iron County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.94 | 2.45 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.96 | 2.47 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.93 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.97 | 2.40 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.03 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Households in Iron County are small: just 1.97 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. No other Wisconsin county has smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Iron County
| Period | Iron County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.5 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 51.9 | 39.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 54.1 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 54.1 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.6 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 54.1, Iron County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 48.5, in line with the national trend. Of Wisconsin's 72 counties, only three are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Iron County
| Period | Iron County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.8% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.8% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.1% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.9% | 9.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.9% of households in Iron County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is little changed from 2006–10, while the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Iron County
Renters in Iron County
| Period | Iron County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.9% | 30.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.8% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.5% | 33.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 11.5% | 32.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −12.5 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Iron County is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 11.5% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. The renter share is down 12.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Only one other Wisconsin county has a lower share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Iron County
| Period | Iron County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.7% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 44.6% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 46.2% | 10.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 38.7% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.9 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 38.7% of the housing in Iron County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 4.9 points, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Iron County
| Period | Iron County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1962 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1966 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1966 | 1972 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1968 | 1974 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Iron County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1968, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the center has the oldest housing. Few Wisconsin counties have older homes: only six of 72.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Iron County
| Period | Iron County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $449 | $758 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $514 | $821 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $617 | $904 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $673 | $1,139 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$224 | +$380 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Iron County costs $673 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $224 a month from 2006–10, a 50% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 25.0% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the northwest and lowest in the southeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Iron County
Bachelor's degrees in Iron County
| Period | Iron County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.0% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.7% | 28.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.1% | 30.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.9% | 33.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.9 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in Iron County than nationally: 25.9% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 7.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southeast and least in the northwest.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Iron County
| Period | Iron County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.3% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.3% | 90.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.6% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.1% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.8 pts | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Iron County: 95.1% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 5.8 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Iron County has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of Wisconsin counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Iron County
| Period | Iron County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 6.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.9% | 7.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.1% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.4% | 3.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.6 pts | −3.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Iron County has been low: just 2.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 5.6 points, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Iron County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron County | 1.97 | 54.1 | 7.9% | 11.5% | 38.7% | 1968 | $673 | 25.9% | 95.1% | 2.4% |
| Gogebic County | 2.04 | 49.4 | 8.1% | 19.0% | 29.4% | 1953 | $652 | 22.2% | 95.8% | 6.8% |
| Ashland County | 2.31 | 43.3 | 8.0% | 26.6% | 22.4% | 1969 | $742 | 25.4% | 95.7% | 3.8% |
| Marquette County | 2.26 | 40.5 | 6.9% | 30.4% | 13.2% | 1967 | $1,022 | 37.2% | 95.7% | 4.7% |
| Alger County | 2.20 | 49.8 | 5.7% | 13.7% | 41.9% | 1973 | $625 | 20.9% | 93.8% | 5.9% |
| Crow Wing County | 2.28 | 46.3 | 8.3% | 23.0% | 23.3% | 1986 | $1,039 | 29.2% | 94.6% | 5.2% |
| Luce County | 2.13 | 45.6 | 10.4% | 17.4% | 31.2% | 1972 | $655 | 17.8% | 93.0% | 8.6% |
| Otter Tail County | 2.41 | 45.9 | 6.5% | 20.5% | 24.5% | 1978 | $900 | 27.7% | 94.0% | 4.5% |
| Chippewa County | 2.40 | 42.6 | 10.9% | 25.0% | 20.9% | 1973 | $782 | 23.4% | 92.9% | 6.1% |
| Wilkin County | 2.34 | 42.1 | 9.5% | 20.3% | 10.6% | 1968 | $1,167 | 22.1% | 93.2% | 4.3% |
| Richland County | 2.25 | 39.1 | 7.9% | 31.9% | 8.7% | 1971 | $697 | 25.4% | 94.4% | 1.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Rolette County, ND · Haskell County, KS · Haskell County, TX · Hayes County, NE · Holt County, MO · Hooker County, NE · Hot Springs County, WY · Hudspeth County, TX · Renville County, ND · Reynolds County, MO
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Iron County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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