The numbers behind Medicare in Iron County
| Iron County | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 3,797 | 1,926,752 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 32.3% | 19.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 4,392 | 2,334,917 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 2,463 | 1,484,072 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 56.1% | 63.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 3,797 residents age 65 and older, Iron County is 71st among 83 Michigan counties for older residents. That group is 32.3% of its population, compared with 19.2% across Michigan. The 1,131 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Census 2023 estimates show 59% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 28% is 75 to 84 and 12% is 85 or older. About 56.1% of people with Medicare in Iron County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is lower than the Michigan average of 63.6%. A county average does not tell you which kind of plan fits you. Whether Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare with a Medigap plan is the better fit depends on your doctors, your prescriptions and how you want to handle costs, so we compare both for your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Iron County
The USDA classifies Iron County as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, not adjacent to a metro area. With fewer hospitals and clinics close by, the right Medicare plan here is often the one whose network includes the providers you can really reach.
CMS counts 4,295 Medicare beneficiaries in Iron County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the Michigan average of 72. About 15% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, lower than the state figure of 20%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Iron County, CMS reported about 620 emergency room visits and 166 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (645) and lower than it for hospital stays (245). About 5% received home health care. These figures describe how people use care under Original Medicare; they do not show what any plan covers or costs.
Sources: CMS Medicare Geographic Variation, 2023; USDA Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, 2023.
Where you live decides which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can join, and Iron County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Iron County; we help Iron County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Iron County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Iron County:
- Aspirus Iron River Hospital & Clinics — Iron River (critical access; nonprofit; emergency services)
Network rules, not geography, decide whether a plan covers a hospital. We look up the hospitals and doctors you use and check them against each plan before you enroll. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Communities and ZIP codes in Iron County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Iron County at Iron River (3,032), Crystal Falls (1,612), Caspian (818), Gaastra (320), Alpha (124), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Iron County include 49902, 49903, 49915, 49920, 49927, 49935. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Iron County?
Reach out to us: fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146, and a licensed agent will compare the plans available to you, check your doctors and drugs, and stay with you each year at renewal. For general Medicare information, the federal helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare resources from official sources
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, searchable by ZIP code.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services: Michigan’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Iron County residents
Here is what we can help Iron County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance and life insurance.
Get a clear answer for Iron County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Iron County compared with similar Michigan counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crawford County | 3,721 | 61.2% | 20% | Rural |
| Alcona County | 3,881 | 58.9% | 17% | Rural |
| Lake County | 3,513 | 68.3% | 28% | Rural |
| Missaukee County | 3,460 | 64.2% | 22% | Rural |
| Arenac County | 4,200 | 65.8% | 23% | Rural |
| Mackinac County | 3,325 | 57.3% | 15% | Rural |
See every Michigan county in our Michigan directory or go to our Michigan Medicare hub.