Muskegon city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Muskegon city, Michigan has a total population of 37,203, the 31st largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $46,342, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.3% is notably above the national average.
Muskegon city Quick Facts
How Muskegon city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Muskegon city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Muskegon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton Shores city | 25,000 | $73,390 | 5.8% | $214,000 |
| Muskegon Heights city | 9,902 | $33,780 | 37.1% | $55,800 |
| Roosevelt Park city | 4,148 | $60,938 | 8.0% | $178,600 |
| North Muskegon city | 4,089 | $101,087 | 6.6% | $241,100 |
| Whitehall city | 2,974 | $58,750 | 17.2% | $205,800 |
| Montague city | 2,630 | $69,375 | 5.8% | $184,700 |
Cities Similar to Muskegon city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay City city | 32,445 | $47,904 | $89,900 | 18.2% | 21.5% |
| Lincoln Park city | 39,511 | $57,183 | $117,400 | 11.3% | 22.1% |
| Eastpointe city | 34,003 | $58,196 | $129,100 | 14.8% | 18.2% |
| Jackson city | 31,206 | $42,848 | $94,700 | 15.3% | 25.5% |
| East Lansing city | 45,394 | $43,547 | $251,600 | 67.3% | 34.2% |
Population Overview
Muskegon city is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Muskegon County. The total population is 37,203. It ranks as the 31st most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Muskegon city is 36.0 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Muskegon city is $46,342. This is 35% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 41% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.2%. This is 54% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.3%. This is 61% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $121,800. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Muskegon city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Muskegon city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 29.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (29.9% vs 13.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (11.1% vs 5.7%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
15.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Muskegon city, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Muskegon city, Michigan?
Muskegon city, Michigan has a population of 37,203 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Muskegon city, MI?
The median household income in Muskegon city is $46,342, which is 41% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Muskegon city, MI?
The poverty rate in Muskegon city is 20.2%. This means approximately 6,565 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Muskegon city, Michigan?
Muskegon city's population is 51.6% White, 29.9% Black, 11.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Muskegon city, MI?
The median home value in Muskegon city is $121,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Muskegon city, Michigan?
15.8% of adults (25+) in Muskegon city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.