Muskegon County (/məˈskiːɡən/ mə-SKEE-gən) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of 2020, the population was 175,824.^[2] The county seat is Muskegon.^[3]

Quick Facts Country, State ...

Muskegon County
County
Muskegon County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°17′N 86°27′W
Country	United States
State	Michigan
Founded	1859[1]
Named for	Muskegon River
Seat	Muskegon
Largest city	Norton Shores (area), Muskegon (population)
Area
• Total	1,460 sq mi (3,800 km2)
• Land	499 sq mi (1,290 km2)
• Water	961 sq mi (2,490 km2)  66%
Population  (2020)
• Total	175,824
• Density	345/sq mi (133/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts	2nd, 3rd
Website	www.co.muskegon.mi.us

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Muskegon County comprises the Muskegon, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger Grand Rapids-Kentwood-Muskegon, MI Combined Statistical Area.

Around 1812, Jean Baptiste Recollect and Pierre Constant set up trading posts in the area. By the Treaty of Washington (1836), Native Americans ceded parts of Michigan, including future Muskegon County, to the United States. This opened up the area to greater settlement by European Americans, who developed farms.^[4]

Prior to 1859, the majority of Muskegon County was part of Ottawa County (the Southern three quarters). Grand Haven served as the County Seat of this combined County, and still serves as the Ottawa County seat today.^[5]

Muskegon County was organized in 1859. Its name is from the Muskegon River, which runs through it and empties into Muskegon Lake and subsequently flows into Lake Michigan. The word "Muskegon" comes from the Ojibwa/Chippewa word mashkig, meaning "marsh" or "swamp".^[1][6] See List of Michigan county name etymologies.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,460 square miles (3,800 km²), of which 499 square miles (1,290 km²) is land and 961 square miles (2,490 km²) (66%) is water.^[7]

Michigan's second longest river, Muskegon River,^[8] flows through the county with its north and south branches emptying into Muskegon Lake. Muskegon Lake then empties into Lake Michigan via the Muskegon Channel. Muskegon Lake is Michigan's only deep water port on Lake Michigan.^[9] In the north the White River flows through the county into White Lake and then on to Lake Michigan. In the south, Black Creek flows into Mona Lake which also flow into Lake Michigan. These three lakes allow boat navigation to and from Lake Michigan, making it one of the states most boat accessible counties, with Muskegon Lake allowing access for additional large commercial vessels.

As of the 2010 United States Census,^[16] there were 172,188 people living in the county. 77.4% were non-Hispanic White, 14.6% Black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.9% Native American, and 2.5% of two or more races. 4.8% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the census^[17] of 2000, there were 170,200 people, 63,330 households, and 44,267 families living in the county. The population density was 334 inhabitants per square mile (129/km²). There were 68,556 housing units at an average density of 135 per square mile (52/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.25% White, 14.20% Black or African American, 0.82% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.28% from other races, and 2.01% from two or more races. 3.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.2% were of German, 9.8% Dutch, 7.3% American, 7.2% English, 6.8% Irish and 5.5% Polish ancestry, 95.9% spoke English and 2.6% Spanish as their first language.

There were 63,330 households, of which 34.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.60% were married couples living together, 13.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.50% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The county's median household income was $38,008, and the median family income was $45,710. Males had a median income of $35,952 versus $25,430 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,967. About 8.80% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.00% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.

Prior to 1932, Muskegon County was a Republican Party stronghold in presidential elections, aside from 1912 where the split Republican vote primarily backed former president & third-party candidate Theodore Roosevelt. The county became a Republican-leaning swing county from 1932 to 1988. It only supported a Democrat for president six times during this period; 1948 was the only election in this period that was not a national Democratic landslide.

Starting with the 1992 election, the county has consistently backed Democratic presidential candidates, and is one of the few Democratic bastions in traditionally Republican West Michigan. However, Donald Trump very narrowly lost the county in both 2016 and 2020 by 1,177 and 510 votes respectively amid his surge in the Rust Belt.

Public School Districts in Muskegon County:

• Fruitport Community Schools
• Holton Public Schools
• Mona Shores Public Schools
• Montague Area Public Schools
• Muskegon Public Schools
• Muskegon Heights Public Schools
• North Muskegon Public Schools
• Orchard View Schools
• Oakridge Public Schools
• Ravenna Public Schools
• Reeths-Puffer School District
• White Lake Area Community Ed.
• Whitehall District Schools

Private School Districts in Muskegon County:

• Broadway Baptist School
• Fruitport Calvary Christian
• Muskegon Catholic Central
• West Michigan Christian

Colleges and Universities:

• Baker College
• Muskegon Community College
• Ross Medical Education Center - Muskegon

There are twenty-three recognized historical markers in the county:^[26] They are:

• Bluffton Actors' Colony / Buster Keaton
• Central United Methodist Church [Muskegon]
• Evergreen Cemetery
• Fruitland District No.6 School
• Hackley House
• Hackley Public Library
• Hackley-Holt House
• Hume House
• Jean Baptiste Recollect Trading Post
• Lakeside
• Lebanon Lutheran Church
• Lumbering on White Lake / Staples & Covell Mill
• Marsh Field
• Mouth Cemetery
• Muskegon Business College
• Muskegon Log Booming Company
• Muskegon Woman's Club
• Old Indian Cemetery
• Pinchtown
• Ruth Thompson
• Torrent House
• Union Depot (Muskegon)
• White Lake Yacht Club

• List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Muskegon County, Michigan
• Muskegon Area Transit System
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Muskegon County, Michigan