Ontonagon County
Ontonagon County is the southwest end of the “Copper Country,” with an economy that was once heavily resource-based (mining and forestry) but today is more tourism-oriented. The county is third largest in land area in Michigan and has nearly the lowest population density.
Most of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - the state’s largest, and one of the biggest international tourism draws in the Upper Peninsula - is located in the county, along with various other rugged areas. Bond Falls, one of the largest in the Upper Peninsula, is another destination. Its Ontonagon River system has the largest drainage of any on the South Shore of Lake Superior.
Not all recreation in the county is wilderness-oriented: The multi-use trail network in the county is extensive, and Ontonagon County is the base of the predominant advocacy and maintenance organization for ATV and equestrian trails in the region. In 2023 outdoor recreation vehicle manufacturer Polaris began a first-global electric ATV trail circuit, including four charging stations at strategic locations around the county.
People
Total population:
2020 Census: 5,816
Projected (State of Michigan), 2045: 3,000
Median age: 58.6
Median household income: $41,546
Median year-round full-time earnings: $37,522
Poverty:
All persons determined: 13.7%
Children under 18 years old: 17.7%
Unemployment rate, age 16 & over: 6.9%
Education
Primary and secondary schools:
2 public school districts
Total public school enrollment (Michigan Dept of Education): 435 (2022-23)
Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District
Educational attainment:
Less than high school diploma/equivalent: 7.5%
High school diploma/equivalent: 43.4%
Some college or associate’s degree: 32.5%
Bachelor’s degree: 11.3%
Graduate or professional degree: 5.2%
Housing
Housing units - total: 5688
49.1% occupied (many of remainder seasonally vacant)
88.8% single-unit detached
Housing age:
29.7% built 1939 or earlier
8.6% built 2000 or later
Median housing value: $70,000
Median gross rent: $523
Homeownership rate: 88.2%
Economy
Labor force (State of Michigan as of 2021): 2,187
Largest Employers:
Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital
Industry by number of workers 16 & over (U.S. Dept of Labor as of 2021)(2,033):
Health care & social assistance: 17.2%
Manufacturing: 5.8%
Retail trade: 11.4%
Accommodation & food services: 10.0%
Educational services: 6.0%
Public administration: 7.1%
Statistical data are from 2015-2019 American Community Survey five-year estimates or other sources in italics; additional source info available upon request