South Range, Michigan Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

South Range is a small city located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, near the border with Wisconsin. It has a population of just over 1,000 people and is situated in an area known for its beautiful natural scenery. The climate in South Range tends to be cold and snowy during the winter months, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. Summers are mild and pleasant, however, with temperatures rarely rising above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

The history of South Range is rich and varied. It was founded in 1882 by Finnish settlers who were looking for a new home away from their oppressors in Europe. Over time, many other ethnic groups have called South Range home as well, including Native Americans, Swedes, Norwegians, and French Canadians. The city has also been an important hub for logging and mining operations since its inception.

Politically speaking, South Range is part of Baraga County which leans Republican. The economy of the region is largely based on tourism as well as small family-owned businesses like restaurants and retail stores.

Schools in South Range are administered by the Baraga Area Schools district which serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade. There are also several private schools located within the city limits that offer both religious and secular education options for families who prefer them to public schools.

South Range has many landmarks that serve as reminders of its past including the Old Town Hall Building which was built in 1882 and now houses many local businesses; the Finnish American Heritage Center which celebrates the history of Finnish settlers; and several churches built by various ethnic groups throughout the years such as St Mary’s Catholic Church (built by French Canadians), St Paul’s Lutheran Church (built by Norwegians), and Trinity Episcopal Church (built by English settlers).

Population: 727. Estimated population in July 2024: 701 (-3.6% change)
Males: 376 (51.7%), Females: 351 (48.3%)

Houghton County

Zip code: 49963

Demographics

Median resident age: 40.4 years
Median household income: $26,250
Median house value: $42,000

Population by Race

Races in South Range:

• White Non-Hispanic (96.8%)
• Black (2.2%)

Ancestries: Italian (14.2%), English (11.7%), German (10.7%), French (7.2%), Irish (5.1%), Swedish (4.1%).

Elevation: 1140 feet

Land area: 0.4 square miles

Population by Education

South Range is a small rural village located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, South Range had a population of 829 people. The population has remained relatively unchanged since then. The majority of the population is white, with approximately 93% identifying as such. The remaining 7% of the population is comprised of African American, Native American, Asian and other minorities. The median age for the village is 44 years, with the highest percentage falling in the 45-64 year old range at 29%. The median household income for South Range is estimated to be $45,000 annually.

The majority of South Range’s population works in either agricultural or manufacturing industries. Agriculture remains an important part of life in this rural village and provides employment for many residents who work on farms or in agricultural processing plants located nearby. Manufacturing provides a more diverse range of job opportunities ranging from automotive parts to food processing to paper production and more. Many residents also commute to nearby towns or cities for employment opportunities not available within South Range itself. Education is highly valued by the residents here and there are numerous schools located within close proximity to provide educational opportunities for all ages from pre-school through high school and beyond. Additionally, there are several higher education facilities located within an hour’s drive providing access to college courses and degrees for those looking to further their education.

For population 25 years and over in South Range

• High school or higher: 81.6%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.7%
• Graduate or professional degree: 3.8%
• Unemployed: 2.1%
• Mean travel time to work: 13.9 minutes

For population 15 years and over in South Range village

• Never married: 28.8%
• Now married: 45.5%
• Separated: 3.1%
• Widowed: 11.4%
• Divorced: 11.1%

0.3% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -26 (-3.5%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near South Range:

• PORTAGE HEALTH SYSTEM (about 7 miles; HANCOCK, MI)
• KEWEENAW MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 17 miles; LAURIUM, MI)
• BARAGA COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 28 miles; L’ ANSE, MI)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to South Range:

• HOUGHTON COUNTY MEMORIAL (about 13 miles; HANCOCK, MI; Abbreviation: CMX)
• FORD (about 95 miles; IRON MOUNTAIN KINGSFORD, MI; Abbreviation: IMT)
• SAWYER INTERNATIONAL (about 101 miles; MARQUETTE, MI; Abbreviation: SAW)

Other public-use airports nearest to South Range:

• PRICKETT-GROOMS FLD (about 40 miles; SIDNAW, MI; Abbreviation: 6Y9)
• ONTONAGON COUNTY (about 53 miles; ONTONAGON, MI; Abbreviation: OGM)
• STAMBAUGH (about 70 miles; STAMBAUGH, MI; Abbreviation: Y73)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to South Range:

• MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY (about 6 miles; HOUGHTON, MI; Full-time enrollment: 5,779)
• NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY (about 92 miles; MARQUETTE, MI; Full-time enrollment: 7,374)
• NORTHCENTRAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 162 miles; WAUSAU, WI; Full-time enrollment: 2,039)
• UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-GREEN BAY (about 185 miles; GREEN BAY, WI; Full-time enrollment: 4,794)
• NORTHEAST WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 185 miles; GREEN BAY, WI; Full-time enrollment: 4,198)
• UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-STEVENS POINT (about 187 miles; STEVENS POINT, WI; Full-time enrollment: 8,083)
• SAINT NORBERT COLLEGE (about 187 miles; DE PERE, WI; Full-time enrollment: 2,031)

Public primary/middle school in South Range:

• SOUTH RANGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 218; Location: 2 WHEALKATE STREET; Grades: KG – 06)