Baraga County

Baraga County surrounds most of Keweenaw Bay and Huron Bay - rugged scenic and recreational locations on Lake Superior. At the south end of the bay are the pleasant villages of L’Anse and Baraga (combined population of about 4,000), along with the L’Anse Indian Reservation of Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. In the south and east are large expanses of forest, including the Sturgeon River Gorge wilderness, and Mount Arvon, Michigan’s highest point.

Three major highway routes traverse the county. Those traveling from the south or east toward the Keweenaw Peninsula will universally pass through Baraga County, and there are abundant reasons to stop and spend some time along any route!

People

Total population:

• 2020 Census: 8,158

• Projected (State of Michigan), 2045: 6,235

Median age: 45.5

Median household income: $46,065

Median year-round full-time earnings: $35,489

Poverty:

• All persons determined: 14.8%

• Children under 18 years old: 22.7%

Unemployment rate, age 16 & over: 6.1%

Education

Primary and secondary schools:

• 3 public school districts

• 1 private school district

• Total public school enrollment (Michigan Dept of Education): 840 (2022-23)

Copper Country Intermediate School District

Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College

Educational attainment:

• Less than high school diploma/equivalent: 10.8%

• High school diploma/equivalent: 40.6%

• Some college or associate’s degree: 10.6%

• Bachelor’s degree: 9.7%

• Graduate or professional degree: 6.1%

Housing

Housing units - 5,301 total:

• 58.6% occupied (many of remainder seasonally vacant)

• 84.2% single-unit detached

Housing age:

• 18.7% built 1939 or earlier

• 12.4% built 2000 or later

Median housing value: $102,200

Median gross rent: $528

Homeownership rate: 80.3%

Economy

Labor force (State of Michigan as of 2021): 3,108

Largest Employers:

• Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

• Michigan Department of Corrections

• Baraga County Memorial Hospital

• KBIC Ojibwa Casino

• CertainTeed

Industry by number of workers 16 & over (U.S. Dept of Labor as of 2021) (2,917):

• Health care & social assistance: 20.6%

• Retail trade: 12.0%

• Manufacturing: 10.4%

• Public administration: 10.3%

• Accommodation & food services: 8.6%

• Educational services: 8.2%