CountyScore

Iron County

Michigan · MI

#49 in Michigan
68.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Iron County, Michigan

Standout Affordability Above National Norms

Iron County scores 70.2 on the composite index, well above the national median of 50.0 and reaching the 77th percentile nationally. This strong showing is anchored by exceptional housing affordability that makes the county an outlier in livability metrics.

Upper-Tier Michigan County

Iron County scores 70.2, surpassing Michigan's state average of 68.7 and ranking in the upper half of the state's counties. This positioning reflects the county's ability to deliver competitive livability despite more modest income levels.

Unbeatable Housing Affordability

Iron County dominates on affordability with the highest Cost Score (89.5), featuring median rent at just $510/month and home values at $101,500—the lowest in this group. The effective tax rate of 1.44% further enhances the county's cost advantage.

Income Opportunities Limited

The Income Score of 18.4 and median household income of $53,614 represent the county's primary constraint, suggesting limited local job growth or wage potential. Data on health, safety, and schools remains unavailable, leaving some quality-of-life questions unanswered.

Budget-First Communities Seeking Quiet Living

Iron County suits individuals and retirees for whom cost minimization is paramount and local employment is not a primary concern. Its combination of ultra-low housing costs and reasonable taxes creates an environment where a modest income stretches furthest.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax61.8Cost89.5SafetyComing SoonHealth70.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.4Risk45WaterComing Soon
🏛61.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠89.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡45
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Iron County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Calhoun County
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68.1
Median income: $55,826
Dallas County
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68.1
Median income: $36,810
Houston County
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68.1
Median income: $57,531
Pope County
Arkansas
68.1
Median income: $54,606
Summit County
Colorado
68.1
Median income: $106,255

Deep Dives

Iron County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Iron County

via TaxByCounty

Iron County taxes above national average

Iron County's effective tax rate of 1.44% significantly exceeds the national median of 1.10%, placing it in the top 35% of U.S. counties. Though the median property tax of $1,459 runs 46% below the national median of $2,690, the rate itself remains elevated nationally.

Iron ranks high among Michigan counties

Iron County's effective rate of 1.44% ranks among Michigan's highest, surpassing the state average of 1.17% by a significant margin. The median tax of $1,459 is 31% above Michigan's average of $2,102, despite lower home values.

Iron's rate stands elevated in Upper Peninsula

Iron County's 1.44% rate exceeds nearby Iosco County (1.06%) and Kalkaska County (0.89%) by substantial margins. Among remote Upper Peninsula counties, Iron maintains one of the more aggressive property tax positions.

A $101,500 home costs $1,459 annually

With a median home value of $101,500 and Iron's 1.44% effective rate, the typical homeowner pays $1,459 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,780, an additional $321 due to mortgage-related assessments.

Iron residents should check their assessments

In counties with elevated effective rates like Iron, overassessment is particularly costly for homeowners. Filing a formal appeal to challenge your property's assessed value could significantly reduce your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Iron County

via CostByCounty

Iron County offers Michigan's lowest rents

Iron County's $510 median monthly rent is the lowest in the state and 41% below the national benchmark, while its 11.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Michigan's best affordability metrics. However, the median household income of $53,614 lags 28% behind the national median of $74,755, indicating a rural economy where low costs pair with limited earning opportunities.

Iron County leads Michigan in rent affordability

With an 11.4% rent-to-income ratio, Iron County outperforms Michigan's 16.3% state average by a substantial margin, placing it in the top tier of affordable counties statewide. This advantage stems primarily from extremely low rents rather than high incomes, positioning Iron as a refuge for cost-conscious households.

Iron's rents are unmatched in the region

Iron County's $510 median rent stands alone—it's 39% cheaper than Iosco County ($659), the next-lowest neighboring county, and less than half the regional average. This dramatic cost advantage comes with trade-offs: the median home value of $101,500 is the lowest in the region, signaling limited economic dynamism.

Minimal housing burden leaves room to breathe

Iron County renters spend just $6,120 annually on housing at the median rate of $510 per month—only 11.4% of a $53,614 income, freeing up substantial funds for savings or other expenses. Homebuyers pay $661 monthly for properties valued at $101,500, the lowest costs in the entire dataset.

Iron County: extreme affordability for the right person

If you're retiring, work remotely, or rely on investments for income, Iron County's unbeatable rents and home prices make it a financial sanctuary. For job seekers, however, the median income of $53,614 and rural isolation warrant serious consideration—ensure your skills command local demand or your income moves with you.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Iron County

via IncomeByCounty

Iron County income well below national norm

Iron County's median household income of $53,614 falls $21,141 short of the national median of $74,755, representing a 28% earnings gap. The county ranks among lower-income regions nationally.

Iron ranks low among Michigan counties

At $53,614, Iron County's median household income trails Michigan's state average of $64,304 by over $10,600. The county faces economic headwinds that suppress household earnings relative to the state as a whole.

Iron outpaces only Iosco nearby

Iron County's $53,614 income beats Iosco County ($47,777) but falls short of Ingham ($64,354), Kalkaska ($60,365), and Jackson ($65,004). The county occupies the middle-to-lower tier of surrounding regions.

Excellent housing affordability

Iron County delivers the strongest housing affordability in this county sample: a 11.4% rent-to-income ratio and median home values of just $101,500. These favorable housing costs provide a crucial budget cushion for households earning below state average.

Leverage low housing costs for savings

Iron County residents benefit from some of Michigan's lowest housing expenses, freeing up 15–20% of household income compared to pricier counties. Direct these housing savings into tax-advantaged retirement accounts and diversified investments for long-term wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Iron County

via HealthByCounty

Iron County trails national health trends

Iron County residents live an average of 74.6 years, 4.3 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. With 18.3% reporting poor or fair health, the county exceeds the national average of 15% by 3.3 percentage points.

Below Michigan's health benchmarks

Iron County's 74.6-year life expectancy trails Michigan's state average of 76.3 years by 1.7 years, indicating health challenges that mirror statewide disparities. The county ranks in the lower half of Michigan's 83 counties.

Mid-range health outcomes regionally

Iron County's 74.6-year life expectancy falls between Kalkaska (74.7 years) and Isabella (74.9 years), suggesting similar rural health dynamics. However, the county's 7.7% uninsured rate—the highest among the eight comparison counties—signals greater economic vulnerability.

Highest uninsured rate creates barriers

At 7.7%, Iron County's uninsured rate tops all comparison counties and exceeds Michigan's 6.4% average, meaning more residents face medical costs without coverage. While primary care access is moderate at 69 providers per 100,000, the combination of insurance gaps and mental health scarcity (119 providers per 100,000) complicates care-seeking.

Don't go uninsured in Iron County

With the region's highest uninsured rate, Iron County residents must prioritize enrollment. Visit healthcare.gov or contact Northern Michigan health centers to apply for coverage—financial assistance and free services are available to qualify individuals.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Iron County

via RiskByCounty

Iron County faces relatively low risk

Iron County's composite risk score of 55.06 exceeds Michigan's state average of 49.56 but remains in the relatively low category, indicating moderate hazard exposure across the nation. The county's risk profile is more balanced than concentrated in any single threat.

Below-average risk for Michigan

Iron County ranks in the safer half of Michigan counties for natural disasters, with particularly low exposure to tornadoes (17.65) and virtually no hurricane or earthquake threat. This favorable geographic position in Michigan's Upper Peninsula explains much of the county's safety advantage.

Iron's remote location reduces risk

Iron County's 55.06 score places it among the safer Upper Peninsula communities, though similar to nearby Ionia County (55.85) and safer than Jackson County (76.46). Its geographic isolation and northern location shield it from many hazards that affect southern Michigan.

Wildfire presents primary concern

Iron County's wildfire risk of 43.29 is its most significant natural hazard, while flood risk (25.67) remains minimal and earthquake/hurricane risks are essentially zero. Residents should focus preparedness efforts primarily on forest fire management and awareness.

Emphasize wildfire prevention measures

Iron County residents should clear brush and dead vegetation within 30 feet of homes and maintain defensible space to reduce wildfire risk. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wildfire damage, but verify your policy includes this coverage given it's your county's primary hazard.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.