City · Michigan
Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon, city, in Muskegon County, Michigan. Muskegon had 37,224 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 38,318 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 37,226 (±50). GEOID 2656320.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
37,224
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 38,318 · ACS 2020-2024: 37,226 ±50
Median household income
$44,735
±$3,795 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$142,300
±$8,572 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$996
±$48 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
Where is Muskegon and what county is it in?
Muskegon is a city in Muskegon County, Michigan. It covers 14.1 square miles of land, 2,709 residents per square mile in 2020.
Muskegon is in the Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Muskegon, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 37,224 people lived in Muskegon on July 1, 2025, about level with 2020, in line with Michigan (+0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 38,318 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 37,226 (±50).
| Measure | Muskegon | Muskegon County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 37,226 ±50 | 175,961 | −407 |
| Households | 13,996 ±485 | 67,732 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.34 ±0.08 | 2.51 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 16,245 ±528 | 75,266 | no clear change |
Muskegon's population since 2000
From 40,105 in 2000 to 37,224 in 2025: down 7.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Muskegon as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Muskegon?
The median resident of Muskegon is 36.0 years old; 22.4% are under 18 and 14.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 52.3%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 28.9%. 3.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Muskegon | Muskegon County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.0 ±1.3 | 40.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.4% ±1.6 pts | 22.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.8% ±1.1 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Male | 50.5% ±1.4 pts | 49.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.9% ±1.3 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 52.3% ±2.1 pts | 75.0% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 28.9% ±2.2 pts | 12.0% | −3.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | +0.4 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.8% ±1.9 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.4% ±0.8 pts | 1.9% | +1.0 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.1% ±1.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.6% ±0.9 pts | 7.2% | – |
| With a disability | 18.1% ±2.0 pts | 15.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.6% ±1.7 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.5% ±1.8 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.5% ±1.9 pts | 21.3% | +2.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.7% ±0.8 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 81.4% ±2.9 pts | 88.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.9% ±0.9 pts | 1.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Muskegon earn?
Half of Muskegon's 13,996 households earn less than $44,735 a year (±$3,795), against $65,024 in Muskegon County and $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 the median was $39,915 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,820 after inflation. 24.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Muskegon | Muskegon County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $44,735 ±$3,795 | $65,024 | +$4,820 |
| Mean household income | $59,948 ±$4,362 | $81,950 | – |
| Per capita income | $24,151 ±$1,760 | $32,532 | +$2,620 |
| People below the poverty line | 24.9% ±3.4 pts | 14.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 35.9% ±7.2 pts | 19.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 30.6% ±2.9 pts | 19.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 92.3% ±1.9 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.0% ±2.4 pts | 88.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Muskegon?
Owners occupy 53.1% of Muskegon's occupied homes and renters 46.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $142,300 by its owner (±$8,572). The median renter pays $996 a month including utilities, and 47.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Muskegon | Muskegon County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $142,300 ±$8,572 | $198,300 | +$52,459 |
| Median gross rent | $996 ±$48 | $1,028 | +$127 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 47.3% ±5.4 pts | 45.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,064 ±$59 | $1,334 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 53.1% ±3.4 pts | 78.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 46.9% ±3.4 pts | 21.9% | – |
| Housing units | 16,245 ±528 | 75,266 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6% ±0.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.7% ±2.5 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.7% ±2.6 pts | 77.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.8% ±0.4 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4% ±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.6% ±0.9 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 32.8% ±2.9 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 16.0% ±2.3 pts | 7.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Muskegon building?
Builders took permits for 66 new housing units in Muskegon in 2025 (66 in single-family houses; the permit office reported 4 of 12 months), 1.8 per 1,000 residents against 2.3 across Michigan.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Muskegon work and get to work?
78.0% of Muskegon's workers drive alone and 5.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 9.4%.
| Measure | Muskegon | Muskegon County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.3% ±2.2 pts | 59.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.4% ±2.3 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.0% ±2.6 pts | 80.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.8% ±2.3 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 3.1% ±1.1 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.7% ±1.5 pts | 7.2% | +3.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.6 min ±1.4 | 21.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Muskegon?
11 census tracts lie mostly in Muskegon, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $30,353 (Tract 4.02) to $72,917 (Tract 10).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1Muskegon County | 5,343 | $31,258 |
| Tract 4.01Muskegon County | 4,597 | $48,906 |
| Tract 5Muskegon County | 4,482 | $34,431 |
| Tract 42Muskegon County | 3,829 | $45,127 |
| Tract 9Muskegon County | 3,461 | $58,549 |
| Tract 8Muskegon County | 3,443 | $63,440 |
| Tract 21Muskegon County | 3,149 | $53,986 |
| Tract 3Muskegon County | 3,014 | $30,758 |
| Tract 4.02Muskegon County | 3,449 | $30,353 |
| Tract 6.01Muskegon County | 1,738 | $37,917 |
| Tract 18Muskegon County | 4,896 | $58,211 |
| Tract 10Muskegon County | 1,101 | $72,917 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Muskegon) · Census block assignment files
How does Muskegon compare with other places in Michigan?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Muskegon is the 1,117th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 31st-most populous of 533 in Michigan.
Muskegon ranks 1,285th of 1,354 places in Michigan with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 31st | 533 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 760th | 1,281 |
| Residents per square mile | 85th | 1,356 |
| Median household income | 1,285th | 1,354 |
| Per capita income | 1,293rd | 1,355 |
| Median home value | 1,140th | 1,354 |
| Median gross rent | 556th | 1,212 |
| Poverty rate | 71st | 1,213 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,050th | 1,350 |
| Median age | 1,184th | 1,356 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,310th | 1,356 |
| Work from home | 957th | 1,062 |
| Travel time to work | 1,075th | 1,356 |
Muskegon's figures with every place in Michigan (CSV)
Every place in Michigan, sortable · Compare Muskegon with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Muskegon?
5 of the 57 figures for Muskegon on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Muskegon are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Muskegon.