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METRO AREA

Muskegon Metro

Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI · 1 counties · 177,901 residents (2025 est.) · 503.914 sq mi
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The short version

Muskegon has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $65,024. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $198,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
175,961
+3%since 2000
from 170,200 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
349 / sq mi
+3%since 2000
from 338 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.0
+13%since 2000
from 35.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:177,901 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
157K162K167K173K178K1990201020202024Muskegon
2024176K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$65,024
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,008 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,532
+81%since 2000
from $17,967 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
43.4%
+22.1 ptssince 2009
from 21.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.1%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 11.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.430
+2%since 2010
from 0.423 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade24.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade6%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$198,300
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $84,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,028
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $453 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
78.1%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 77.7% in 2000
21.9% rent
Vacancy rate
10.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.6%
−8.4 ptssince 2009
from 28.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
47.9%
−5.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+37%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
58
RELATED:See current rent listings in Muskegon on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic79.5%(135,379)
Black14.1%(23,971)
Hispanic / Latino3.5%(6,001)
Asian0.4%(711)
Other0%
Diversity Score39.2%(66,641)
Segregation Score0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic75%(131,900)
Black12%(21,109)
Hispanic / Latino6.3%(11,010)
Asian0.6%(998)
Other6.2%(10,944)
Diversity Score52%(91,477)
Segregation Score45.1%(79,336)
Diversity Score
52
+33%since 2000
from 39 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
45
−15%since 2020
from 53 in 2020
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.3%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.1%
+9.1 ptssince 2000
from 83.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.4%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.6 min
+60%since 2000
from 13.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.9%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 83.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.2%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.4%
−9.4 ptssince 2011
from 15.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.5%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 60.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
31.4%
−30.0 ptssince 2009
from 61.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
50.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
1.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.2%
−42.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2012
from 14.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.5%
−84.5 ptssince 2013
from 89.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.8%
+15.3 ptssince 2017
from 73.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2016
from 96.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2016
from 2.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
In this metro

Principal cities

MuskegonCENTRAL37,224Norton ShoresCENTRAL25,088
What's inside

1 component county

Muskegon CountyCENTRAL177,901
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Muskegon

Burlington
Pop 186,177
Bloomington
Pop 165,231
Abilene
Pop 185,429
Blacksburg
Pop 181,616
Places similar to Muskegon
Head to head

Compare Muskegon side by side

MUSKEGON VS
Burlington
Income$65,651+1%
Home value$241,500+22%
Population186,177+5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MUSKEGON VS
Bloomington
Income$65,416+1%
Home value$270,210+36%
Population165,231−7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MUSKEGON VS
Abilene
Income$66,693+3%
Home value$182,918−8%
Population185,429+4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MUSKEGON VS
Blacksburg
Income$67,775+4%
Home value$255,151+29%
Population181,616+2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI?

Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI has about 175,961 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI?

The typical household in Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI earns about $65,024 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI expensive?

In Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI, the median home is worth about $198,300, and the typical rent is about $1,028 a month.

How educated are people in Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI?

About 21.3% of adults age 25 and over in Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI?

About 14.1% of people in Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI live below the federal poverty line.

Has Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI grown since 1990?

Yes, Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI has grown since 1990. The population has added about 16,978 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →