Gogebic County

The westernmost county in Michigan, Gogebic County is the start of the U.P.’s two major east-west highways that travelers can take clear across to Canada, and Michigan’s lower peninsula. A nine-mile corridor of three distinct small cities at the western entrance to the county opens up to hundreds of thousands of acres of the Ottawa National Forest.

A four-season recreation destination, Gogebic County is home to Copper Peak, the tallest flying ski hill in North America; three premier downhill ski and mountain biking resorts; the serene Sylvania Wilderness; and the Black River Harbor National Forest Byway. There are ample opportunities for work and school, too, with a strong local manufacturing economy, and a community college that offers a wide range of academic and technical programs.

 

People

  • Population: 14,217

    Population percent change from 2020 – 2024: -1.1%

    Median household income: $49,672

    Per capita income: $34,085

    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 7,038 households in Gogebic County in 2023…

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

    • 33% were ALICE, households that earned above the FPL, but not enough to afford basic needs or save for the future.

    • Together, 50% of households in Gogebic 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): 5,798

    Unemployment rate (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 2025): 6.8%

    Top five industries by number of workers 16 & over:

    1. Education, healthcare, and social assistance: 21.8%

    2. Manufacturing: 12.5%

    3. Retail trade: 11.9%

    4. Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services: 10.5%

    5. Construction: 8.8%

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

Housing

  • Total housing units (2024): 10,408

    Households: 7,308

    Average persons per household: 1.99

    Housing age:

    • 37.3% built in 1939 or earlier

    • Median year of structures built: 1954

    Median owner-occupied house value: $99,700

    Median gross rent: 2019-2023: $577

    Homeownership rate: 80.8%

Health

Education

  • Total K-12 enrollment in 2024-2025: 1,764

    Children ages 5–17 enrolled in school: 96%

    Households with a computer: 88.5%

    Households with a broadband Internet subscription: 83.6%

    Educational institutions (NCES):

    • Elementary schools: 1

    • High/middle schools: 2

    • K-12 schools: 3

    • Gogebic Community College

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