Muskegon, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Muskegon, Michigan had a total population of 37,226, the 31st largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $44,735, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.4% is notably above the national average.
Muskegon Quick Facts
How Muskegon 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 | 37,203 | 37,226 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $46,342 | $44,735 | -3.5% |
| Median home value | $121,800 | $142,300 | +16.8% |
How Muskegon 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Muskegon Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Muskegon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton Shores | 25,041 | $76,579 | 6.5% | $234,800 |
| Muskegon Heights | 9,841 | $35,239 | 34.1% | $68,000 |
| 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
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | 31,058 | $44,558 | $103,200 | 16.1% | 24.6% |
| Lincoln Park | 39,257 | $58,616 | $131,000 | 11.5% | 21.5% |
| Bay City | 32,320 | $49,420 | $97,600 | 18.8% | 19.1% |
| East Lansing | 45,758 | $45,687 | $270,800 | 66.6% | 33.0% |
| Saginaw | 43,536 | $38,579 | $60,000 | 13.3% | 34.0% |
Population Overview
Muskegon is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Muskegon County. The total population is 37,226. It ranks as the 31st most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Muskegon is 36.0 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Muskegon is $44,735. This is 39% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.9%. This is 88% 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 9.4%. This is 64% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $142,300. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 53.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Muskegon is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 28.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (28.9% vs 13.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (9.9% vs 5.9%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
15.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 87.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Muskegon, 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.
Free data download: Get all Michigan city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Muskegon, Michigan?
Muskegon, Michigan has a population of 37,226 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Muskegon, MI?
The median household income in Muskegon is $44,735, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Muskegon, MI?
The poverty rate in Muskegon is 24.9%. This means approximately 8,123 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Muskegon, Michigan?
Muskegon's population is 52.3% White, 28.9% Black, 9.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Muskegon, MI?
The median home value in Muskegon is $142,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Muskegon, Michigan?
15.5% of adults (25+) in Muskegon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.