Ontonagon ZIP Code List — Ontonagon County, MI

There is one unique ZIP code in Ontonagon, Michigan and it is 49953. Area code: 906.

ZIP codes

464.95

sq mi land

1.50

sq mi water

906

area code

Ontonagon, MI ZIP code map

About Ontonagon, MI

Ontonagon, Michigan, is a charming town located on the edge of Lake Superior. This picturesque community is known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. With its rich history and small-town charm, Ontonagon offers visitors a glimpse into life in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Location & geography

Ontonagon is situated in Ontonagon County, in the western part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The town is approximately 20 miles from the nearby city of Ironwood and around 45 miles from Houghton, making it an accessible location for visitors exploring the region. The geography of Ontonagon features a land area of 464.95 square miles, complemented by a water area of 1.50 square miles, encompassing a mix of forests, hills, and proximity to the shores of Lake Superior.

Community & economy

The community of Ontonagon is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and strong sense of local identity. Traditionally, the town's economy has been rooted in industries such as logging and mining, which have played a vital role in its development. Daily life in Ontonagon is enriched by various outdoor activities, local events, and the town's commitment to preserving its natural surroundings.

Transportation

Ontonagon is accessible via U.S. Highway 45, which connects travelers to other significant areas in the Upper Peninsula. The nearest named airport is the Gogebic-Iron County Airport, located about 25 miles away in Ironwood, offering regional flight services. Local transit options are limited, with most residents relying on personal vehicles to navigate the area.

History

Ontonagon was founded in the mid-19th century, primarily revolving around the copper mining industry, which attracted settlers seeking opportunities. The town played a pivotal role during Michigan's copper boom, contributing significantly to the state's economic growth during that era. Over the years, key events, including the development of railroads, helped establish Ontonagon as a crucial location for shipping and transportation.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Ontonagon is that it was once home to the largest copper nugget ever found, known as the Ontonagon Copper Nugget, weighing nearly 420 pounds. Additionally, the town is often overlooked by tourists, yet it boasts remarkable outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and exploring nearby waterfalls.

ZIP codes for Ontonagon, MI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
49953	Ontonagon	Ontonagon	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,274

Population

60.7

Median age

$51,161

Median household income

$31,122

Per capita income

$92,800

Median home value

$524

Median monthly rent

83.1%

Home ownership

10.3%

Poverty rate

4.7%

Unemployment

1,683

Housing units

17.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

140

45–54

134

113

55–59

107

136

60–64

130

266

65–74

254

165

75–84

157

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	167	7.3%
18 and over	2,107	92.7%
65 and over	929	40.9%
Median age	60.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.2%

Black or African American 2%

Two or more races 1.7%

Hispanic or Latino 1.1%

Asian 0.7%

Other race 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	2,166	94.2%
Black or African American	47	2%
Two or more races	38	1.7%
Hispanic or Latino	26	1.1%
Asian	17	0.7%
Other race	5	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 5.4%

$10k–$15k 5.7%

$15k–$25k 13.1%

$25k–$35k 12.7%

$35k–$50k 12.0%

$50k–$75k 22.3%

$75k–$100k 12.7%

$100k–$150k 11.4%

$150k–$200k 3.5%

$200k+ 1.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.4%
$10k–$15k	5.7%
$15k–$25k	13.1%
$25k–$35k	12.7%
$35k–$50k	12.0%
$50k–$75k	22.3%
$75k–$100k	12.7%
$100k–$150k	11.4%
$150k–$200k	3.5%
$200k+	1.3%
Median income	$51,161

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 16.5%

$50k–$100k 39.5%

$100k–$150k 19.6%

$150k–$200k 10.7%

$200k–$300k 6.3%

$300k–$500k 5.3%

$500k–$1M 1.8%

$1M+ 0.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$92,800
Median rent / month	$524
Owner occupied	83.1%
Renter occupied	16.9%
Vacant	38.4%
Single-family detached	86.6%
Large apartment buildings	1.7%
Mobile homes	3.8%
Median rooms	5.2
Avg household size (owned)	1.99

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.7%
2000–2009	6.3%
1990–1999	6.8%
1980–1989	10.3%
1970–1979	17.7%
1960–1969	7.3%
1950–1959	13.0%
1940–1949	8.9%
1939 or earlier	29.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.5%
1 bedroom	14.6%
2 bedrooms	32.7%
3 bedrooms	36.3%
4 bedrooms	12.1%
5+ bedrooms	0.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.8%
1 vehicle	34.3%
2 vehicles	42.9%
3 or more	16.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	56.6%
Electricity	6.3%
Propane / LP gas	21.2%
Fuel oil	5.1%
Wood	9.3%
No fuel used	1.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	560	48.4%
Cohabiting couple	74	6.4%
Male householder, no spouse	226	19.5%
Female householder, no spouse	298	25.7%
Households with children under 18	102	8.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	605	52.2%
Average household size	1.90

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	24.4%	15.8%
Married	53.6%	53.8%
Separated	0.7%	1.3%
Widowed	6.5%	15.4%
Divorced	14.8%	13.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.1%

Some HS, no diploma 4.7%

HS graduate 41.4%

Some college, no degree 21.5%

Associate's degree 14.0%

Bachelor's degree 11.5%

Graduate / professional 5.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.2%
Bachelor's or higher	17.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	8	4.8%
Kindergarten	16	9.7%
Elementary school	68	41.2%
High school	41	24.8%
College / grad school	32	19.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.8%

Retail trade 12.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.7%

Construction 9.2%

Transportation & utilities 8.9%

Public administration 7.0%

Manufacturing 5.9%

Finance & real estate 5.9%

Agriculture & mining 5.7%

Other services 5.5%

Information 3.0%

Professional & management 1.7%

Wholesale trade 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	32.2%
Service	22.7%
Sales & office	19.7%
Natural resources & construction	9.5%
Production & transportation	15.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	69.0%
Government	26.7%
Self-employed	4.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	78.2%
Carpool	9.3%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	3.1%
Other means	2.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.7

Poverty

All people 10.3%

Under 18 years 17.4%

18 and over 9.8%

Married-couple families 5.2%

Female-led households 16.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	61.1%
Retirement income	53.5%
Supplemental Security	9.1%
Cash public assistance	2.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	15.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	41.2%
High cholesterol	41.5%
Heart disease	9.6%
Stroke	4.3%
Asthma	10.8%
Arthritis	37.8%
Kidney disease	3.9%
Pulmonary disease	10.4%
Cancer	9.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.0%
No physical activity	23.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.5%
Fair or poor health	17.5%
Poor mental health	15.0%
Poor physical health	13.2%
No health insurance	9.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.2%
Visited dentist	68.8%
Cholesterol screening	93.7%
Teeth loss	13.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	361	17.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	21.2%
Under 18	20.4%
18–64 years	18.2%
65 and over	25.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	69.5%
Public insurance	61.0%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,226	97.9%
Spanish	13	0.6%
Other Indo-European	8	0.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	5	0.2%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,210	97.2%
Born in same state	2,200	96.7%
Born in different state	1,685	74.1%
Foreign born	10	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	64	2.8%
Not a US citizen	55	85.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	280	12.3%
Italian	213	9.4%
Arab	165	7.3%
Polish	82	3.6%
English	71	3.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	62	2.7%
Dutch	22	1%
Irish	3	0.1%
Norwegian	3	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	50.9%
Internet access	88.9%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Ontonagon, MI?

Ontonagon, MI has one ZIP code: 49953.

What is the main ZIP code for Ontonagon, MI?

The primary ZIP code for Ontonagon, MI is 49953. The city uses area code 906 for phone service.

What county is Ontonagon, MI in?

Ontonagon is located in Ontonagon County, Michigan.

How many ZIP codes are in Ontonagon, MI?

Ontonagon, MI has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for downtown Ontonagon and the Ontonagon River waterfront area?

Downtown Ontonagon and the Ontonagon River waterfront are located in ZIP code 49953, which covers the main commercial and residential areas of this Lake Superior port town.

What ZIP code should I use when mailing packages to businesses along US-45 in Ontonagon?

All businesses and residences along US-45 running through Ontonagon use the single ZIP code 49953, as this is the only ZIP code serving the entire city.