Ironwood ZIP Codes — Gogebic County, MI

There is one unique ZIP code in Ironwood, Michigan and it is 49938. Area code: 906.

ZIP codes

225.60

sq mi land

21.91

sq mi water

906

area code

Ironwood, MI ZIP code map

About Ironwood, MI

Ironwood, Michigan, is a small city located in the northern part of the state, known for its natural beauty and rich history. It is situated within Gogebic County and is surrounded by stunning landscapes that attract outdoor enthusiasts. The area offers a blend of cultural heritage and recreational opportunities, making it a hidden gem in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Location & geography

Ironwood is located near the western border of Michigan, close to the shores of Lake Superior. It is approximately 20 miles from the city of Hurley, Wisconsin, and 30 miles away from the vibrant town of Ashland, Wisconsin. The city encompasses a total land area of 225.60 square miles, with an additional 21.91 square miles dedicated to water, making it a region rich in scenic lakes and rivers.

Community & economy

The community of Ironwood is characterized by its friendly residents and strong ties to outdoor activities, particularly skiing and snowmobiling, thanks to the nearby Bessemer ski area. Historically, the city has been an important hub for the logging and taconite mining industries, which shaped its economic foundations. Daily life in Ironwood revolves around a close-knit community that celebrates local events and fosters a spirit of togetherness.

Transportation

Ironwood is serviced by U.S. Highway 2 and U.S. Highway 51, which provide vital connections to neighboring towns and beyond. The nearest airport is the Gogebic-Iron County Airport, located just a short drive from the city, offering regional flights for travelers. Public transportation options within the area may be limited, with most residents relying on their vehicles for daily commutes.

History

Ironwood was founded in the late 19th century and quickly became known for its booming timber industry, attracting many settlers to the area. The discovery of iron ore in the region further bolstered its economy, making mining a key industry as well. Throughout its history, Ironwood has weathered economic changes while preserving its charming small-town character.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Ironwood is its historic downtown area, which features several buildings dating back to the early 1900s, reflecting its rich architectural heritage. Additionally, Ironwood hosts the annual Midsummer Festival, celebrating local culture and drawing visitors from across the region.

ZIP codes for Ironwood, MI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
49938	Ironwood	Gogebic	View map

Demographics & statistics

7,636

Population

51.2

Median age

$43,990

Median household income

$34,582

Per capita income

$82,900

Median home value

$499

Median monthly rent

81.5%

Home ownership

12.7%

Poverty rate

8.0%

Unemployment

4,009

Housing units

23.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

105

Under 5

164

5–9

150

238

10–14

217

163

15–19

150

187

20–24

172

474

25–34

433

438

35–44

400

374

45–54

342

354

55–59

323

335

60–64

306

612

65–74

560

316

75–84

290

228

85+

208

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,180	15.5%
18 and over	6,456	84.5%
65 and over	2,214	29.0%
Median age	51.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 93.5%

Two or more races 2.2%

Hispanic or Latino 1.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.8%

Other race 0.5%

Black or African American 0.5%

Asian 0.5%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.5%

Group	Count	%
White	7,251	93.5%
Two or more races	167	2.2%
Hispanic or Latino	122	1.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	61	0.8%
Other race	41	0.5%
Black or African American	40	0.5%
Asian	39	0.5%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	37	0.5%

Household income

Under $10k 6.1%

$10k–$15k 5.4%

$15k–$25k 14.1%

$25k–$35k 16.4%

$35k–$50k 10.9%

$50k–$75k 19.3%

$75k–$100k 7.8%

$100k–$150k 11.0%

$150k–$200k 5.7%

$200k+ 3.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.1%
$10k–$15k	5.4%
$15k–$25k	14.1%
$25k–$35k	16.4%
$35k–$50k	10.9%
$50k–$75k	19.3%
$75k–$100k	7.8%
$100k–$150k	11.0%
$150k–$200k	5.7%
$200k+	3.2%
Median income	$43,990

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 26.1%

$50k–$100k 34.0%

$100k–$150k 17.7%

$150k–$200k 9.3%

$200k–$300k 5.4%

$300k–$500k 6.9%

$500k–$1M 0.5%

$1M+ 0.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$82,900
Median rent / month	$499
Owner occupied	81.5%
Renter occupied	18.5%
Vacant	19.8%
Single-family detached	84.9%
Large apartment buildings	3.7%
Mobile homes	1.2%
Median rooms	5.6
Avg household size (owned)	2.04

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.3%
2000–2009	4.0%
1990–1999	5.4%
1980–1989	4.8%
1970–1979	10.0%
1960–1969	8.4%
1950–1959	8.1%
1940–1949	11.3%
1939 or earlier	47.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.2%
1 bedroom	10.3%
2 bedrooms	30.0%
3 bedrooms	43.0%
4 bedrooms	12.4%
5+ bedrooms	2.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	10.1%
1 vehicle	36.3%
2 vehicles	40.0%
3 or more	13.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	70.6%
Electricity	5.5%
Propane / LP gas	14.6%
Fuel oil	3.8%
Wood	4.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,553	41.1%
Cohabiting couple	266	7.0%
Male householder, no spouse	855	22.6%
Female householder, no spouse	1,102	29.2%
Households with children under 18	644	17.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,534	40.6%
Average household size	1.98

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	32.7%	22.4%
Married	48.6%	49.9%
Separated	1.6%	1.3%
Widowed	3.5%	15.6%
Divorced	13.7%	10.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.0%

Some HS, no diploma 3.0%

HS graduate 31.0%

Some college, no degree 24.8%

Associate's degree 16.6%

Bachelor's degree 14.9%

Graduate / professional 8.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.1%
Bachelor's or higher	23.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	64	5.1%
Kindergarten	45	3.6%
Elementary school	654	51.9%
High school	243	19.3%
College / grad school	254	20.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.1%

Manufacturing 16.5%

Retail trade 13.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.3%

Construction 8.2%

Professional & management 6.0%

Public administration 5.8%

Other services 5.2%

Finance & real estate 4.6%

Agriculture & mining 2.5%

Transportation & utilities 2.2%

Information 2.0%

Wholesale trade 1.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	32.6%
Service	16.5%
Sales & office	20.0%
Natural resources & construction	14.4%
Production & transportation	16.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	78.7%
Government	15.8%
Self-employed	5.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	83.0%
Carpool	9.3%
Public transit	0.4%
Walk	2.0%
Other means	0.9%
Avg commute (minutes)	17.7

Poverty

All people 12.7%

Under 18 years 9.7%

18 and over 13.2%

Married-couple families 4.6%

Female-led households 12.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	46.6%
Retirement income	31.8%
Supplemental Security	7.7%
Cash public assistance	3.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	38.9%
High cholesterol	38.1%
Heart disease	9.0%
Stroke	4.2%
Asthma	11.2%
Arthritis	35.2%
Kidney disease	3.8%
Pulmonary disease	10.0%
Cancer	8.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.2%
No physical activity	24.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.9%
Fair or poor health	17.6%
Poor mental health	16.3%
Poor physical health	13.0%
No health insurance	9.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.5%
Visited dentist	65.3%
Cholesterol screening	91.3%
Teeth loss	15.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	734	11.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	18.0%
Under 18	4.0%
18–64 years	12.4%
65 and over	37.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	60.1%
Public insurance	55.0%
Uninsured under 19	5.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	7,434	97.4%
Spanish	19	0.3%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	17	0.2%
Other languages	2	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	7,566	99.1%
Born in same state	7,525	98.5%
Born in different state	4,688	61.4%
Foreign born	41	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	70	0.9%
Not a US citizen	37	52.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	724	9.5%
Italian	653	8.6%
French	634	8.3%
Polish	207	2.7%
English	122	1.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	87	1.1%
German	60	0.8%
Irish	18	0.2%
Norwegian	14	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	49.4%
Internet access	84.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Ironwood, MI have?

Ironwood, MI has one ZIP code: 49938. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.