Total enrollment
1,241
+197 (+19%) vs SY 2020-21
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.
4-year change in Iron County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
3
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Iron County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Michigan | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 39.3% | #18 of 25 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,241 | #71 of 73 | #2,614 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 3 | #73 of 73 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 16.9:1 | #50 of 73 | #2,270 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 59.2% | #16 of 73 | #1,149 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 21.8% | #48 of 73 | #2,067 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Residents
11,667
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
3
2 districts
Enrollment
1,241
students · 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
School enrollment
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)
- Forest Park School· 43.9%
- Stambaugh Elementary School· 39.5%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Park School | Crystal Falls | Combined | PK-12 | 481 | · |
| West Iron County Middle High School | Iron River | High | 06-12 | 407 | · |
| Stambaugh Elementary School | Iron River | Elementary | PK-06 | 353 | · |
Cities in Iron County
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 4 years. Total public-school enrollment in Iron County has increased 19% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 1,044 students to 1,241.
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
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data