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Iron County

Michigan · Public K-12

For a Michigan county, Iron County operates a compact public-school system: 3 schools and 1,241 students, broken out as 1 elementary and 1 high.

7-year change in Iron County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
1,241
-17 (-1%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
3
-1 (-25%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
88%
was 92%
% Hispanic
4%
was 3%
% Black
1%
was 0%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
3
2 districts
Enrollment
1,241
NCES CCD
Median income
$55,940
Below Michigan avg
Free/reduced lunch
59.2%
Above Michigan avg
Elementary
1
353 students
Middle
0
schools
High
1
407 students
Combined / other
1
481 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
West Iron County Public Schools
760 students · 2 districts in Iron County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Iron County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
91%
Hispanic
2%
Black
1%
Asian
1%
Two or more
5%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
88%
Hispanic
4%
Black
1%
Asian
0%
Two or more
6%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
22.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
11.1%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.4%
civilian labor
Median age
53
17.5% under 18

Test scores in Iron County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 2 schools ranked. Michigan state average: 47.7%.

Top 2 schools (ELA)
  1. Forest Park School· 43.9%
  2. Stambaugh Elementary School· 39.5%

See all 2 schools in Iron County ranked by score →

All schools (3)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Forest Park SchoolCrystal FallsCombinedPK-12481·
West Iron County Middle High SchoolIron RiverHigh06-12407·
Stambaugh Elementary SchoolIron RiverElementaryPK-06353·

Cities in Iron County

Iron River2 schoolsCrystal Falls1 school

About Iron County

Iron County is a small Michigan county of about 11,667 residents, home to 3 public schools and roughly 1,241 students.

Looking at the wider area, census numbers show median household income runs near $55,940, about 23% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 11%. That income level is 15% noticeably below the Michigan median.

In terms of grade levels, Iron County spans 1 elementary school (353 students), 1 high school (407), and 1 combined or other schools.

West Iron County Public Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 760 students on its own.

Looking at the last 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Iron County has held roughly steady since SY 2017-18, moving from about 1,258 students to 1,241. The school count fell from 4 to 3 across the same 7-year window. On the demographic side, White enrollment moved from 92% to 88% over the same window.

In the discussion threads here, the community for Iron County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Iron County?
There are 3 public K-12 schools in Iron County, Michigan, with a combined enrollment of about 1,241.
How many high schools are in Iron County?
Iron County, Michigan has 1 public high school, serving approximately 407 students.
How many elementary schools are in Iron County?
Iron County, Michigan has 1 public elementary school, serving approximately 353 students.
What is the largest school district in Iron County?
West Iron County Public Schools is the largest school district in Iron County, serving approximately 760 students. The county contains 2 school districts overall.
What is the population of Iron County?
Iron County, Michigan has a population of approximately 11,667, with a median age of 53. About 17.5% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Iron County?
Median household income in Iron County is $55,940, below the Michigan average of $66,133. About 11.1% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Iron County?
Approximately 22.5% of adults 25 and older in Iron County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Iron County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 59.2% of students in Iron County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Michigan county average of 53.4%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Iron County schools?
Across Iron County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 17.2 to 1.
What is the racial makeup of Iron County?
Iron County residents are approximately 91% White, 2% Hispanic, 1% Black, 1% Asian, 5% two or more races according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data