Iron River is a city in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the largest city in Iron County. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 3,007. The city is situated at the southeast corner of Iron River Township, though it is administratively autonomous.
Originally settled in 1882 under the name 'Nanaimo', named after the Nanaimo iron mine, owned by the Mineral Hills Iron Company. In 1878, two brothers, Donald and Alexander MacKinnon acquired the site, and a village was platted and registered in 1881. The new town was given a station on the Chicago and North Western Railway and renamed 'Iron River' after the nearby Iron River. The settlement was incorporated as a village within Iron River Township in 1885, and as a city in 1926.
On November 2, 1999, the voters of the cities of Iron River and Stambaugh and the village of Mineral Hills approved consolidation into a new city, which continued the name Iron River. The consolidation became effective July 1, 2000.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.
The area is noted for its vast forest land, scenic lakes, and winter sports.
Iron River and the surrounding area is home of many lakes, and is not far from Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes. In the summer, many people frequent the beaches, in the winter, there are often tents for ice fishing on the frozen lakes.
At the 2010 census there were 3,029 people, 1,446 households, and 764 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 1,770 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.3% White, 0.2% African American, 1.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9%.
Of the 1,446 households, 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.7% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a single female householder, 3.8% had a single male householder, and 47.2% were non-families. 42.9% of households were one person, and 21.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.73.
The median age was 47.6 years. 19.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.4% were from 25 to 44; 28.5% were from 45 to 64; and 24.7% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.
At the 2000 census there were 1,929 people, 876 households, and 487 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 988 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 95.33% White, 0.16% African American, 1.92% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.05% from other races, and 2.33% from two or more races. 0.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 15.4% were of German, 13.4% Swedish, 13.2% Italian, 9.9% Polish, 7.8% English, 7.6% Finnish, 5.9% French and 5.1% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 98.3% spoke English as their first language. There were 876 households, 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.4% were non-families. 40.3% of households were made up of individuals, and 23.7% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.80.
The age distribution was 21.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 30.0% who were 65 or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.
The median household income was $23,438 and the median family income was $33,942. Males had a median income of $28,083 versus $20,714 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,728. 11.9% of the population and 6.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.5% of those under the age of 18 and 10.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.