Muskegon Heights, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Muskegon Heights, Michigan had a total population of 9,841, the 105th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $35,239, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 14.7% is notably above the national average.
Muskegon Heights Quick Facts
How Muskegon Heights Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,902 | 9,841 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $33,780 | $35,239 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $55,800 | $68,000 | +21.9% |
How Muskegon Heights Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Muskegon Heights Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Muskegon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskegon | 37,226 | $44,735 | 24.9% | $142,300 |
| Norton Shores | 25,041 | $76,579 | 6.5% | $234,800 |
| Wolf Lake | 4,654 | $51,637 | 14.1% | $131,400 |
| Roosevelt Park | 4,144 | $62,857 | 12.1% | $193,300 |
| North Muskegon | 4,098 | $104,659 | 5.0% | $264,200 |
| Whitehall | 3,024 | $61,169 | 16.3% | $212,600 |
| Montague | 2,531 | $66,750 | 4.8% | $202,200 |
| Twin Lake | 2,036 | $84,950 | 5.0% | $250,600 |
| Ravenna | 1,540 | $77,857 | 6.3% | $204,300 |
| Lakewood Club | 1,255 | $71,518 | 11.4% | $157,300 |
Cities Similar to Muskegon Heights
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecorse | 9,064 | $40,241 | $65,400 | 8.4% | 29.4% |
| Benton Harbor | 8,953 | $31,117 | $76,500 | 7.4% | 40.1% |
| Alpena | 10,154 | $47,545 | $118,700 | 16.2% | 21.2% |
| Beecher | 8,412 | $37,515 | $51,500 | 5.2% | 31.3% |
| Highland Park | 8,628 | $29,309 | $79,200 | 17.3% | 40.9% |
Population Overview
Muskegon Heights is a small city located in Michigan, within Muskegon County. The total population is 9,841. It ranks as the 105th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Muskegon Heights is 32.7 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 30.1% of the population under 18, Muskegon Heights has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Muskegon Heights is $35,239. This is 52% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 56% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.1%. This is 158% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 14.7%. This is 158% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $68,000. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Muskegon Heights is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 44.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Muskegon Heights is Black or African American, making up 70.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 17.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (17.7%) is well below the state average of 72.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (70.8% vs 13.1%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
8.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Muskegon Heights, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Muskegon Heights, Michigan?
Muskegon Heights, Michigan has a population of 9,841 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Muskegon Heights, MI?
The median household income in Muskegon Heights is $35,239, which is 56% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Muskegon Heights, MI?
The poverty rate in Muskegon Heights is 34.1%. This means approximately 3,317 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Muskegon Heights, Michigan?
Muskegon Heights's population is 17.7% White, 70.8% Black, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Muskegon Heights, MI?
The median home value in Muskegon Heights is $68,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Muskegon Heights, Michigan?
8.6% of adults (25+) in Muskegon Heights hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.