Muskegon Heights city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Muskegon Heights city is a small city located in Michigan, within Muskegon County. The total population is 9,902. It ranks as the 104th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.

Age Demographics

The median age in Muskegon Heights city is 31.8 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. With 29.9% of the population under 18, Muskegon Heights city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Muskegon Heights city is $33,780. This is 53% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 57% lower. The poverty rate stands at 37.1%. This is 185% 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 18.0%. This is 209% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $55,800. Housing costs are 74% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Muskegon Heights city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 44.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 72.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Muskegon Heights city is Black or African American, making up 75.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 15.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (15.8%) is well below the state average of 73.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (75.4% vs 13.2%). The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.

Education

7.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 78% 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 87.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Muskegon Heights 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.