Baraga County
countyBaraga County is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, bordering Lake Superior. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,158, making it one of Michigan's least populous counties. The county seat is L'Anse. Baraga County offers a mix of natural beauty and small-town charm, attracting outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a quieter lifestyle. Key industries in Baraga County include healthcare, social assistance, education, public administration, retail trade, and manufacturing. The county's economy also relies on seasonal industries such as tourism and natural resources. Several major highways cross the county, facilitating travel and commerce. Baraga County is named after Bishop Frederic Baraga, a Catholic missionary who ministered to the Ojibwa Indians in the Michigan Territory. The L'Anse Indian Reservation of the Ojibwa is located within the county. The county is known for its access to outdoor recreation, including the Huron Mountains and the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness.
Baraga County, Michigan
- Classification
- County
- FIPS Code
- 26-013
- Country
- United States
- County
- Baraga County
- Region
- Upper Peninsula
- Elevation
- 1,979 ft
- Total Area
- 1,069 sq mi
- Land Area
- 898 sq mi
- Water Area
- 171 sq mi
- Latitude
- 46.72
- Longitude
- -88.34
- Climate
- Baraga County experiences a climate typical of the Upper Peninsula, with cold, snowy winters and mild summers.
- Notable Features
- Lake Superior · Keweenaw Bay · Huron Bay · Mount Arvon · Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness
- Neighboring Areas
- Houghton County · Iron County · Marquette County
- Population (2020)
- 8,158
- Est. Population (2024)
- 8,169
- Median Age
- 46.3
- Median Income
- $55,117
- Poverty Rate
- 16%
- Owner-Occupied
- 77%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- In 2023, the racial makeup of the county was 71.8% White (Non-Hispanic), 12% American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic), 6.75% Black or African American (Non-Hispanic), 6.43% Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic), and 0.824% White (Hispanic).
- Unemployment Rate
- 7.20%
- Economic Profile
- Seasonal industries · Tourism · Natural resources
- Employment Sectors
- Health Care & Social Assistance · Public Administration · Retail Trade · Accommodation, Food Services, Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation · Manufacturing
- Students
- 1,103
- School Districts
- L'Anse Area Schools
- Colleges & Universities
- Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Keweenaw Bay · Baraga State Park · Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness · Huron Mountains
- Founded
- 1875
- Named After
- Bishop Frederic Baraga
- Historical Significance
- Named after Bishop Frederic Baraga, a missionary who served the Ojibwa people. The county's history is tied to the natural resources of the Upper Peninsula.
- Key Events
- County formed from Houghton County · Logging and mining industries