Muskegon
Michigan

What stands out

If you had to describe Muskegon County in numbers, start here: winter sunshine is in the bottom 6% of American counties (-1.5 on the USDA scale), the uninsured rate is in the bottom 8% of American counties (5.8%), and unemployment is in the top 10% of American counties (5.1%). Within Michigan it ranks 27th of 83 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Muskegon County, Michigan. 175,947 people live here with you. The population grew 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +1,007).

Michigan has a flat income tax just over 4% and has never taxed Social Security. It restored a broad exemption for pension and retirement income in 2023, phasing in over four years. Home prices are below the national average nearly everywhere except the lakeshore counties and the Ann Arbor area. Detroit's population is growing again for the first time since the 1950s.

Money

The typical household here brings in $61,347 a year, higher than 53% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,204. Unemployment runs 5.1%, higher than 90% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 21 minutes each way.

Michigan takes 4.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,607 a year.

Home

The median home costs $255K, pricier than 57% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $962 a month. Property tax is 1.36% of home value, roughly $2,204 a year on that median home, higher than 80% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 58% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 26 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 75.6 years, shorter than 53% of American counties. There are 319 active physicians in the county, about 18.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 5.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.72 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 87% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted almost evenly. 70% of eligible voters turned out. Under Michigan law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 48°F, highs near 58 and lows near 38, colder than 80% of American counties. About 30 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 61 out of 100, riskier than 61% of American counties; the county has had 14 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 241 Mbps down, faster than 70% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries.