[8] It has played an important role in the calibration of the Cepheid variable period-luminosity relation for estimating distances.

[9] Other than the Magellanic Clouds, it is one of the few Local Group dwarf irregular galaxy where RR Lyrae-type variables have been observed; this factor, along with an unusually low abundance of interstellar dust both within IC 1613 and along the line of sight enable especially accurate distance estimates.

[8][10] In 1999, Cole et al.[8] used the Hubble Space Telescope to find that the dominant population of this galaxy has an age of ~7 Gyr.

Using its Hess diagram, they found that its evolutionary history may be similar to that of the Pegasus Dwarf Irregular Galaxy.

[14] A Luminous Blue Variable candidate,[15] has been proposed but a revised classification led to a B2.5 III type.