Iron County
MI · Pop. 11,650 · Rural County
Iron County is a rural county in Michigan, spanning 1,166 square miles with 11,650 residents at a density of 10 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, oats. The median home price is $102,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.44%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 88-day growing season, average summer highs of 76°F and average winter lows of 3.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 29.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Aspirus Iron River Hospital and Clinics, Inc is 6.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 54.8% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $102,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Aspirus Iron River Hospital and Clinics, Inc, with an emergency room, is just 6.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 10 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- A 88-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.44% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Broadband reaches only 54.8% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Average winter lows of 3.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Iron County, MI is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 50/100
- Median home price
- $102k
- Property tax
- 1.44%
- Growing season
- 88 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 29.4"
- Broadband
- 54.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Aspirus Iron River Hospital and Clinics, Inc, 6.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Iron County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Iron County?
- Iron County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 88-day growing season, average summer highs of 76°F, and average winter lows of 3.7°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, oats.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $102,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.44%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 54.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Aspirus Iron River Hospital and Clinics, Inc is 6.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Michigan Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Michigan
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The closest counties to Iron County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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