| City: | Copper Harbor, Michigan |
| City Alias: | Calumet |
| County: | Keweenaw County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:07:26 AM |
| Population: | 141 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 906 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 47.4599, -87.8136 |
| Land Area: | 37.422 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Copper Harbor sits at the northernmost tip of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, where Lake Superior wraps around the town on three sides. With a median age of 62.2 years, this is one of Michigan's oldest communities by demographic profile. The 141 year-round residents live in just 65 occupied homes, but the housing count tells a different story: 69 of the 143 total units (48%) sit vacant most of the year, occupied only during summer months when visitors flock to this remote corner of the Upper Peninsula.
The Copper Harbor post office maintains 106 PO Boxes for a community of 65 households. That's an adoption rate of 1.63, meaning there are more boxes than homes. This pattern makes sense in a place where seasonal residents and visitors need mail access, and where rural delivery routes cover scattered properties across 9.6 square miles. The community also accepts mail addressed to Calumet, reflecting the broader Keweenaw County postal network.
Street names preserve the area's copper mining heritage. Manganese Road recalls the mineral extraction that once dominated the region. US Highway 41, which terminates in Copper Harbor, brought miners and supplies during the 19th century boom. Today it brings tourists. Numbered streets (1st through 10th) form a small grid downtown, while roads like Lake Medora and Harbor Coast serve scattered lakeside properties delivered by two rural carrier routes.
This isn't a typical retirement community. It's a place people choose for remoteness and natural beauty. Median household income of $54,286 and home values around $285,400 indicate comfortable but not wealthy residents. Education levels run high: 67% hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Nearly 20% work from home, feasible for writers, consultants, and professionals who can work anywhere with internet access. The community supports 21 business establishments employing 111 people, a ratio that suggests seasonal tourism drives the local economy.
Mail addressed to Copper Harbor can use either "COPPER HARBOR, MI 49918" or "CALUMET, MI 49918." Rural carrier delivery serves scattered homes, while PO Boxes provide reliable access for seasonal residents and those in remote locations.
Street names mix a small numbered grid downtown (1st-10th) with roads recalling copper mining history (Manganese Rd) and Lake Superior waterfront location (Harbor Coast Ln, Waterfront Land).
ZIP Code 49918 has 141 residents and 65 households (average 2.17 persons per household). The median age is 62.2 years, significantly older than the state (40.1) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 45.4% male and 54.6% female, which is lower than the state male share (49.3%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (96.5%, much higher than the state average of 73.9% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Black or African American (0.0%, much lower than the state average of 13.7% and well below the national average of 12.4%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 0.0%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 141Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 163Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 3.8 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $67,188Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 65Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $268,800Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.17Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 4.25Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 82 | 132 | 124 | 104 | 89 | 104 | 109 | 87 | 102 | 135 | 121 | 100 | 135 | 163 |
| Decennial Census | 120 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 141 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 62.2
Male Median Age: 64.3
Female Median Age: 58.8
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Female | 7 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 11 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 19 | 17 | 24 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| White: | 136 | 100.00% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 0 | 0% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 0 | 0% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 136 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 64 | 45.39% | 64.3 years |
| Females: | 77 | 54.61% | 58.8 years |
| Total: | 141 | 100% | 62.2 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 161 | 98.77% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 2 | 1.23% |
| Total Population: | 163 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 161 | 98.77% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 2 | 1.23% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $67,188, which is much lower than the national median ($80,734), is up $30,188 (81.6%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $21,563. Family households earn a median of $81,250 versus $56,964 for nonfamily households (a difference of $24,286). By gender, male median income is $31,484 and female is $243,333, which is considerably higher than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $211,849 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 61.0%, which is trails slightly the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Sales (32.8%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $37,000 | $36,250 | $35,000 | $35,250 | $32,500 | $34,375 | $66,250 | $50,000 | $45,625 | $50,313 | $54,583 | $47,344 | $54,286 | $67,188 |
| Median Family Income | $53,750 | $43,750 | $53,333 | $46,250 | $33,750 | $0 | $71,667 | $70,417 | $63,750 | $105,417 | $81,875 | $76,875 | $83,750 | $81,250 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $24,375 | $30,536 | $31,750 | $32,083 | $32,500 | $32,813 | $0 | $48,250 | $33,750 | $29,583 | $38,750 | $32,083 | $48,125 | $56,964 |
| Median Male Income | $10,625 | $20,833 | $21,250 | $22,750 | $0 | $0 | $52,750 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $37,500 | $0 | $32,125 | $31,484 |
| Median Female Income | $17,188 | $15,938 | $16,667 | $16,750 | $0 | $21,000 | $24,167 | $30,417 | $30,313 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $243,333 |
| Employed: | 64 | 60.95% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 41 | 39.05% |
| Total: | 105 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 18 | 28.13% |
| Service: | 6 | 9.38% |
| Sales and Office: | 21 | 32.81% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 16 | 25.00% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 3 | 4.69% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 64 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $268,800, which is far less than the national median ($332,700), is up $192,500 (252.29%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $27,100. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), is down $575 (100.00%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Of occupied housing, owners make up 84.21% (33.33% with a mortgage, 66.67% free-and-clear) and renters 15.79% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 57.14%, which is far higher than the national rate (10.12%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $76,300 | $147,900 | $187,500 | $172,900 | $211,500 | $257,100 | $259,600 | $232,500 | $241,700 | $236,300 | $225,000 | $273,400 | $285,400 | $268,800 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 2 | 22.22% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 7 | 77.78% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 9 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $575 | $388 | $435 | $420 | $420 | $410 | $408 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 16 | 28.07% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 32 | 56.14% |
| Renter Occupied: | 9 | 15.79% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 57 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 57 | 42.86% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 76 | 57.14% |
| Total Housing Units: | 133 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 129 | 96.99% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 4 | 3.01% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 133 | 100% |
In 2024, 71.80% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far higher than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 100.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 7.40%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 7.10%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 5.30 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 3.50 percentage points. This signals a sharp increase in hardship - a shrinking consumer base, heavy pressure on public services, and job-market contraction risks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (72.41%). College enrollment is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (26.70%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 4 | 3.88% |
| Some college, no degree: | 16 | 15.53% |
| Associate's degree: | 9 | 8.74% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 54 | 52.43% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 20 | 19.42% |
| Total: | 103 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 103 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 74 | 71.84% |
| Private Insurance: | 100 | 52.63% |
| Public Insurance: | 78 | 41.05% |
| No Insurance: | 12 | 6.32% |
| Total: | 190 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 178 | 93.68% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 10.0% | 7.7% | 10.0% | 9.1% | 8.8% | 5.7% | 6.5% | 6.9% | 5.3% | 7.1% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 21 | 72.41% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 8 | 27.59% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 29 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 29 | 100.00% |
ZIP Code 49918 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 21 business establishments, employing about 118 people with an annual payroll of $7,189,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 132Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 21Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $1,251,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $7,189,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 118Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 49918 is located in Keweenaw County, Michigan, within the Houghton, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 26340) and Michigan's 1st Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 38,784 people, about 0.36% of whom live in ZIP Code 49918. It covers 37.422 sq mi of land and a water area of 2.058 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Houghton, MISource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 26340Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 38,784Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 37.422 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 2.058 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 25027.75 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 2618100Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Copper Harbor CDP; MichiganSource: Census |
ZIP Code 49918 is in the Grant Township School District 2, which serves grades Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 1 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 3 private school(s). It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.