Gogebic County ( or ) is a county in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,380. The county seat is Bessemer. Gogebic County is the westernmost county in Michigan, and is one of four Michigan counties within the Central Time Zone. Gogebic County borders Wisconsin to the south, and has a shoreline on Lake Superior to the north.
Gogebic County has long been territory of the Lake Superior Chippewa. The Lac Vieux Desert Indian Reservation is located within Gogebic County.
History
Gogebic County was organized in 1887, partitioned from Ontonagon County. The county's name derives from a lake of the same name, which was originally rendered Agogebic. Sources agree that the name is from Ojibwe, but differ on the original meaning. The county's website suggests it meant "body of water hanging on high," but an 1884 military annal said it meant "water-mold lake" (Agogibing). (See also: List of place names of Native American origin in Michigan)
Geography
thumb|left|Lake Gogebic, the largest lake of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, lies partially in Gogebic County.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (25%) is water.
Water features
- Lake Superior – forms the county's northern land border.
- Lake Gogebic – the largest lake in the Upper Peninsula.
- Montreal River – forms the county's western border, as well as the state's border with Wisconsin in this area.
Adjacent counties
- Ontonagon County – north, northeast (Eastern Time)
- Iron County – east (Central Time)
- Vilas County, Wisconsin – south
- Iron County, Wisconsin – southwest
- Ashland County, Wisconsin – northwest
National protected area
- Ottawa National Forest (part)
State protected area
- Lake Gogebic State Park
Communities
thumb|right|450px|[[United States Census|U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Gogebic County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.]]
Cities
- Bessemer (county seat)
- Ironwood
- Wakefield
Charter township
- Ironwood Charter Township
Civil townships
- Bessemer Township
- Erwin Township
- Marenisco Township
- Wakefield Township
- Watersmeet Township
Census-designated places
- Marenisco
- Ramsay
- Watersmeet
Other unincorporated communities
- Anvil
- Connorville
- Dunham
- Harley
- Puritan
- Siemens
- Tamarack
- Thayer
- Thomaston
- Tula
- Wellington
Indian reservations
- Lac Vieux Desert Indian Reservation