County · Michigan
Muskegon County, Michigan
Muskegon County, Michigan. Muskegon County had 177,901 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.8% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). It holds 29 places (11 cities, villages and boroughs, 16 towns and townships and 2 census-designated) and 46 census tracts. GEOID 26121.
Muskegon County is the county of the Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
177,901
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 175,824 · ACS 2020-2024: 175,961
Median household income
$65,024
±$1,543 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$198,300
±$4,508 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$1,028
±$36 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
How many people live in Muskegon County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 175,824 residents in Muskegon County. The Census Bureau estimates 177,901 for July 1, 2025, up 1.8% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 175,961 over 504 square miles of land.
| Measure | Muskegon County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 175,961 | 10,077,761 | +2,664 |
| Households | 67,732±648 | 4,076,369 | +1,793 |
| Average household size | 2.51±0.02 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 75,266±100 | 4,622,236 | +1,174 |
Muskegon County's population since 2000
From 170,200 in 2000 to 177,901 in 2025: up 4.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Muskegon County?
Muskegon County holds 29 places: 11 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 16 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Muskegon with 37,224 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Muskegon | 38,318 | $44,735 |
|---|---|---|
| Norton Shores | 25,030 | $76,579 |
| Muskegon Charter Township | 17,596 | $54,962 |
| Fruitport Charter Township | 14,575 | $85,413 |
| Egelston Township | 11,128 | $61,432 |
| Muskegon Heights | 9,917 | $35,239 |
| Dalton Township | 9,427 | $81,612 |
| Laketon Township | 7,626 | $98,114 |
| Fruitland Township | 5,793 | $91,076 |
| Wolf Lake | 5,034 | $51,637 |
| Roosevelt Park | 4,172 | $62,857 |
| North Muskegon | 4,093 | $104,659 |
| Cedar Creek Township, Muskegon County | 3,192 | $73,586 |
| Ravenna Township | 2,962 | $75,625 |
| Whitehall | 2,909 | $61,169 |
| Casnovia Township | 2,793 | $83,333 |
| Holton Township | 2,586 | $72,910 |
| Sullivan Township | 2,541 | $65,156 |
| Montague | 2,417 | $66,750 |
| Blue Lake Township, Muskegon County | 2,416 | $83,452 |
| Twin Lake | 2,056 | $84,950 |
| Whitehall Township | 1,768 | $79,375 |
| Moorland Township | 1,627 | $74,167 |
| Montague Township | 1,555 | $90,885 |
| White River Township | 1,383 | $110,179 |
| Lakewood Club | 1,340 | $71,518 |
| Ravenna | 1,308 | $77,857 |
| Fruitport | 1,103 | $84,306 |
| Casnovia | 316 | $76,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Muskegon County?
The median resident of Muskegon County is 40.0 years old; 22.5% are under 18 and 18.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 75.0%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 12.0%. 1.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Muskegon County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.0±0.2 | 40.2 | +0.7 |
| Under 18 years | 22.5% | 21.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.5%±0.1 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.3% | 5.9% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 75.0%±0.2 pts | 72.4% | −1.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 12.0%±0.5 pts | 13.1% | −1.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.1 pts | 3.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.6%±0.5 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.9%±0.2 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.0%±0.5 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.2%±0.5 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 15.1%±0.6 pts | 14.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.5%±0.5 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.1%±0.7 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.3%±1.0 pts | 32.4% | +1.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.4%±0.5 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±0.3 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 County earn?
Half of Muskegon County's 67,732 households earn less than $65,024 a year (±$1,543), against $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 the median was $62,586 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $2,438 after inflation. 14.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Muskegon County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,024±$1,543 | $72,875 | +$2,438 |
| Mean household income | $81,950±$1,921 | $98,700 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,532±$729 | $40,735 | +$1,229 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.1%±1.0 pts | 13.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.3%±2.3 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.4%±1.0 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.8%±1.1 pts | 90.5% | – |
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 County?
Owners occupy 78.1% of Muskegon County's occupied homes and renters 21.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $198,300 by its owner (±$4,508). The median renter pays $1,028 a month including utilities, and 45.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Muskegon County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $198,300±$4,508 | $231,600 | +$53,201 |
| Median gross rent | $1,028±$36 | $1,129 | +$93 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.1%±3.8 pts | 41.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,334±$27 | $1,569 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.1%±1.2 pts | 73.2% | +3.4 pts |
| Housing units | 75,266±100 | 4,622,236 | +1,174 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.4%±1.6 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.9%±1.1 pts | 72.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.8%±0.7 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.7%±0.8 pts | 14.6% | – |
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 County building?
Builders took permits for 451 new housing units across Muskegon County in 2025 (351 single-family), 2.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Muskegon County get to work?
80.9% of Muskegon County's workers drive alone and 7.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.4%.
| Measure | Muskegon County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.5%±0.9 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.4%±0.8 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.9%±1.1 pts | 74.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.4%±0.9 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.2%±0.3 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.2%±0.7 pts | 13.5% | +4.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.6 min±0.6 | 24.2 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 are Muskegon County's census tracts?
Muskegon County is divided into 46 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $26,250 (Tract 13) to $104,659 (Tract 15).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Muskegon County compare with Michigan's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 12th of 83 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 29th of 83 |
| Residents per square mile | 10th of 83 |
| Median household income | 37th of 83 |
| Median home value | 29th of 83 |
| Median gross rent | 18th of 83 |
| Poverty rate | 31st of 83 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 48th of 83 |
| Median age | 70th of 83 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 County 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' school search.