Norton Shores, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Norton Shores, Michigan had a total population of 25,041, the 51st largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $76,579, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Norton Shores Quick Facts
How Norton Shores 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 | 25,000 | 25,041 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $73,390 | $76,579 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $214,000 | $234,800 | +9.7% |
How Norton Shores 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Norton Shores 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 |
| 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 Norton Shores
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walker | 25,386 | $76,360 | $295,200 | 38.6% | 7.6% |
| Auburn Hills | 25,105 | $84,375 | $245,000 | 49.6% | 11.1% |
| Wyandotte | 24,489 | $71,987 | $166,900 | 22.7% | 13.0% |
| Romulus | 24,831 | $69,151 | $159,500 | 16.2% | 13.5% |
| Waverly | 23,575 | $75,700 | $234,600 | 44.1% | 10.1% |
Population Overview
Norton Shores is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Muskegon County. The total population is 25,041. It ranks as the 51st most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Norton Shores is 40.6 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Norton Shores is $76,579. This is 5% higher than the state median of $72,875. It is also 5% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.5%. This is 51% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $234,800. Housing costs are 1% higher than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 84.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Norton Shores has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.2%. The Black or African American population (4.2%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
33.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% higher 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 95.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Norton Shores, 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 Norton Shores, Michigan?
Norton Shores, Michigan has a population of 25,041 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Norton Shores, MI?
The median household income in Norton Shores is $76,579, which is 5% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Norton Shores, MI?
The poverty rate in Norton Shores is 6.5%. This means approximately 1,616 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Norton Shores, Michigan?
Norton Shores's population is 87.5% White, 4.2% Black, 3.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Norton Shores, MI?
The median home value in Norton Shores is $234,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Norton Shores, Michigan?
33.3% of adults (25+) in Norton Shores hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.