Crystal Falls is a city in and the county seat of Iron County, Michigan, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 1,598. The city is located within Crystal Falls Township, but is a separate municipal entity. The area first developed as a major center for iron mining and the timber industry; it has become increasingly popular for tourism in recent years.

History

Crystal Falls was platted in 1881. It was named for a nearby icy waterfall on the Paint River. A post office called Crystal Falls has been in operation since 1885.

Geography

thumb|left|Iron County Courthouse

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. The city is very hilly and the castle-like county courthouse (built in 1890) sits on the highest point, overlooking the downtown business district.

Climate

Michigan State University's study of Crystal Falls weather concluded that precipitation was well distributed throughout the year with the crop season, April–September, receiving an average of or 68% of the average annual total for the 1962-80 period. During this same period the average wettest month was June with , while the average driest month was February with . The National Weather Service's 1971–2000 data shows a 30-year normal annual precipitation of .

The following precipitation extremes, based on the time period of this station's published record, are: greatest observation-day total, 3.86 inches, recorded June 14, 1981; greatest monthly

total, 12.48 inches, recorded June 1981; and least monthly total, 0.00 inches, recorded on several occasions.

Summer precipitation comes mainly in the form of afternoon showers and thundershowers. Annually, thunderstorms will occur on an average of 33 days. There are normally 139.2 days with measurable precipitation.

The 1950-51 through 1979-80 average seasonal snowfall was . During this period, 143 days per season averaged or more of snow on the ground, but varied greatly from season to season.

The following snowfall extremes, based on the time period of this station's published record, are: greatest observation-day total, 18.0 inches, recorded March 7, 1926; greatest monthly total, 53.4 inches, recorded March 1939; greatest seasonal total, 143.2 inches, recorded during 1942–43; least seasonal total, 31.6 inches, recorded during 1963-64 and 1 earlier season; and greatest snow depth, 47 inches, recorded March 15, 1926.

Although there are no longer official temperature observations in Crystal Falls, Michigan State University concluded that temperatures are similar to those at the National Weather Service office in Marquette, Michigan. Temperature records kept from 1962 to 1989 by the National Climatic Data Center show a record high of 99 degrees on June 30, 1963, and July 20, 1977. The record low was -42 degrees on February 17, 1979. Annually, there were an average of 4.4 days with highs of 90 degrees or higher; 96.9 days with highs of 32 degrees or lower; 207.1 days with lows of 32 degrees or lower; and 55.1 days with lows of 0 degrees or lower. Freezing temperatures were recorded in every month except July, which had a record low of 33 degrees on July 6, 1965.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Crystal Falls had a population of 1,598. The median age was 45.3 years. 20.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 102.9 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 759 households in Crystal Falls, of which 22.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 36.1% were married-couple households, 29.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 41.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Of the 700 households 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.6% were non-families. 39.6% of households were one person and 20.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.73.

The median age was 48.3 years. 19.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.3% were from 25 to 44; 32.1% were from 45 to 64; and 22.5% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.4% male and 50.6% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 1,791 people in 795 households, including 470 families, in the city. The population density was . There were 913 housing units at an average density of . The racial makup of the city was 98.05% White, 0.06% African American, 0.61% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.39% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.23%.

Education

The Forest Park School District is based in Crystal Falls.

Transportation

  • Indian Trails provides daily intercity bus service between St. Ignace and Ironwood, Michigan.

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File:CrystalFallsMichiganWelcomeSignUS2US141.jpg|Welcome sign

File:CrystalFallsMichiganSignUS2US141.jpg|Sign

File:Iron County Court House.jpg|Iron County Courthouse

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References

  • City of Crystal Falls website
  • Aviva Directory: Crystal Falls
  • The Humongous Fungus--Ten Years Later