Houghton County

Houghton County is the Western U.P.’s largest center of economic activity. It is home to the renowned Michigan Technological University, along with strong technology and manufacturing sectors. It is underlain by a rich copper mining history, and dotted with spectacular natural features. It holds abundant waterfalls, including the tallest in Michigan, Douglass Houghton Falls.

The county has three distinct west-to-east sections. The southern third is inland and forested. The middle section offers a somewhat less isolated feel, with access to Lake Superior shores on both the east and west sides of the Keweenaw peninsula. The northern third holds the region’s largest population cluster, with vibrant cities and villages, and is crossed by the Portage Waterway. This essentially cuts off the landmass, known as “Copper Island,” from the rest of the Upper Peninsula. The waterway is spanned by the Portage Lake Lift Bridge - the busiest highway segment in the U.P - which links the two sides.

Houghton County is the only U.P. county to grow in population from 2010 to 2020.

WUPPDR’s headquarters are located in Hancock, on the northern coast of the Portage Waterway. Hancock is the northernmost city in Michigan and one of the snowiest cities in the contiguous United States. It has a rich Finnish heritage - a remnant of immigration during the mining era.

 

People

  • Population: 38,041

    Population percent change from 2020 – 2024: 1.8%

    Median household income: $56,573

    Per capita income: $31,441

    Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) households earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to afford the basics where they live.

    Of the 14,251 households in Houghton County in 2023…

    • 17% earned below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

    • 31% were ALICE, households that earned above the FPL, but not enough to afford basic needs or save for the future.

    • Together, 48% of households in Houghton County were below the ALICE Threshold (poverty + ALICE divided by total households).

    Learn more about the ALICE Threshold here.

Economy

  • Employed persons (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 2025): 17,047

    Unemployment rate (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 2025): 5.9%

    Top five industries by number of workers 16 & over:

    1. Education, healthcare, social assistance: 33.1%

    2. Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services: 12.5%

    3. Retail trade: 11.9%

    4. Manufacturing: 9.9%

    5. Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management: 7.8%

    Learn about Houghton County’s Economic Development Capacity Index (EDCI) here

Housing

  • Total housing units (2024): 19,201

    Households: 14,251

    Average persons per household: 2.34

    Housing age:

    • 37.6% built in 1939 or earlier

    • Median year of structures built: 1959

    Median owner-occupied house value: $140,300

    Median gross rent 2019-2023: $767

    Homeownership rate: 71.2%

Statistical data are from 2019-2023 American Community Survey five-year estimates. Other sources are in italics.

Health

Education

  • Total K-12 enrollment in 2024-2025: 5,750

    Children ages 5–17 enrolled in school: 96.5%

    Households with a computer: 91.3%

    Households with a broadband Internet subscription: 86.3%

    Educational institutions (NCES):

    • Elementary schools: 6

    • Middle schools: 2

    • High schools: 4

    • K-12 schools: 4

    • Copper Country ISD Career Tech Center

    • Gogebic Community College

    • Michigan Technological University