Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI Metro Area

Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI · Metro Area

175,961Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 1 county, part of the Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $65,024
Median home value: $198,300
Land area: 504 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Muskegon County, MI	Central	175,961	$65,024	$198,300

Largest cities and towns

29 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Muskegon, MI	City	37,226	$44,735
Norton Shores, MI	City	25,041	$76,579
Muskegon (Charter Township), MI	—	17,686	$54,962
Fruitport (Charter Township), MI	—	14,985	$85,413
Egelston, MI	—	11,276	$61,432
Muskegon Heights, MI	City	9,841	$35,239
Dalton, MI	—	9,506	$81,612
Laketon, MI	—	7,663	$98,114
Fruitland, MI	—	5,869	$91,076
Wolf Lake, MI	CDP	4,654	$51,637
Roosevelt Park, MI	City	4,144	$62,857
North Muskegon, MI	City	4,098	$104,659
Cedar Creek, MI	—	3,273	$73,586
Whitehall, MI	City	3,024	$61,169
Ravenna (Township), MI	—	2,997	$75,625
Casnovia (Township), MI	—	2,806	$83,333
Holton, MI	—	2,629	$72,910
Sullivan, MI	—	2,615	$65,156
Montague, MI	City	2,531	$66,750
Blue Lake, MI	—	2,423	$83,452
Twin Lake, MI	CDP	2,036	$84,950
Whitehall (Township), MI	—	1,739	$79,375
Moorland, MI	—	1,565	$74,167
Ravenna, MI	Village	1,540	$77,857
Montague (Township), MI	—	1,534	$90,885

Also in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI combined area

Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI · metro · 1,162,152 Holland, MI · micro · 121,456 Big Rapids, MI · micro · 41,242

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

14.1%

Unemployment

6.4%

College Educated

21.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$65,024

Mean Household Income

$81,950

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.9%

Female

50.1%

Population Split

Male49.9%

Female50.1%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German17.3%

English9.5%

Irish8.3%

Mexican5.0%

Polish4.8%

French2.9%

Italian2.6%

Scottish1.9%

African0.6%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

1.9%Foreign Born

98.1%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized52.8%

Non-Citizen47.2%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later22.0%

Before 201078.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

75,266

Median Rent

$1,028/mo

Median Home Value

$198,300

Median Year Built

1969

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

37,817

College Enrollment

14.5%

High School

23.8%

College Educated

21.3%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

21.6 min

Drive Alone Rate

80.9%

Public Transit

0.1%

Work From Home

7.2%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

22.5%

18-34 Years

21.1%

35-64 Years

37.9%

65+ Years

18.5%

Population Composition

Under 1822.5%

18-3421.1%

35-6437.9%

65+18.5%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

47.2%

Single Parent

8.2%

Living Alone

25.8%

Avg Size

2.51

Household Types

Married Couples47.2%

Single Parent8.2%

Living Alone25.8%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$32,532

SNAP Usage

19.4%

Health Insurance

95.5%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k17.1%

$25k - $50k20.7%

$50k - $100k33.9%

$100k+28.5%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

24.6%

Retail Trade

11.2%

Education & Health Care

21.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

15.1%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

95.5%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

88.8%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

93.9%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

92.5

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

159.5

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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