Population 10,035 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Muskegon Heights
Household size in Muskegon Heights
| Period | Muskegon Heights | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.61 | 2.58 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.60 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.63 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.58 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.02 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Households in Muskegon Heights average 2.58 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the west.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Muskegon Heights
| Period | Muskegon Heights | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.0 | 38.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 32.5 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 32.6 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.3 | 41.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.4 | +2.4 | +2.3 |
Muskegon Heights is young: half of its residents are under 34.3, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults and children. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 34.0, a smaller shift than nationally. Of the 331 Michigan cities with 5,000+ people, only eight are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Muskegon Heights
| Period | Muskegon Heights | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.6% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 32.7% | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 30.8% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 33.8% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +5.2 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about a third of households in Muskegon Heights (33.8%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 5.2 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. No other Michigan city with 5,000+ people has a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Muskegon Heights
Renters in Muskegon Heights
| Period | Muskegon Heights | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.3% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 49.6% | 28.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 51.2% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 55.2% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +5.9 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Muskegon Heights rent: 55.2% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 58.9% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 5.9 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Muskegon Heights
| Period | Muskegon Heights | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.5% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.2% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 21.4% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.1% | 10.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Muskegon Heights: 18.1% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has edged down 1.4 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Muskegon Heights
| Period | Muskegon Heights | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1949 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1948 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1947 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1948 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | −1 | +3 | +6 |
The housing in Muskegon Heights is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1948, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the west has the oldest housing. Of the 331 Michigan cities with 5,000+ people, only seven have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Muskegon Heights
| Period | Muskegon Heights | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $693 | $833 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $637 | $886 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $694 | $978 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $838 | $1,228 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$146 | +$395 | +$606 |
The median renter in Muskegon Heights pays $838 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $146 a month from 2006–10, a 21% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 34.9% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the north and lowest in the east.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Muskegon Heights
Bachelor's degrees in Muskegon Heights
| Period | Muskegon Heights | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.8% | 26.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.5% | 27.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 8.0% | 29.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.0% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Muskegon Heights: 10.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 5.1 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 331 Michigan cities with 5,000+ people, only five have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Muskegon Heights
| Period | Muskegon Heights | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 80.0% | 88.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 80.2% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.1% | 90.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.0% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.0 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Muskegon Heights is close to the national rate: 89.0% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Michigan as a whole (91.8%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 9.0 points, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Muskegon Heights
| Period | Muskegon Heights | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.5% | 11.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 26.4% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.6% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.4% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −14.1 pts | −5.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Muskegon Heights runs well above the national rate: 17.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Muskegon Heights has the highest unemployment rate of any Michigan city with 5,000+ people. Unemployment has fallen 14.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Muskegon Heights compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskegon Heights | 2.58 | 34.3 | 33.8% | 55.2% | 18.1% | 1948 | $838 | 10.0% | 89.0% | 17.4% |
| Roosevelt Park | 2.38 | 35.3 | 17.8% | 34.4% | 11.3% | 1962 | $1,107 | 17.6% | 97.0% | 3.7% |
| Norton Shores | 2.56 | 43.2 | 11.2% | 15.4% | 8.7% | 1975 | $1,382 | 33.6% | 95.5% | 4.7% |
| Muskegon | 2.53 | 39.9 | 17.7% | 25.6% | 10.3% | 1966 | $1,069 | 16.6% | 89.7% | 8.6% |
| North Muskegon | 2.58 | 44.5 | 15.2% | 19.7% | 9.3% | 1960 | $1,291 | 48.3% | 97.4% | 2.3% |
| Fruitport | 2.51 | 42.9 | 7.9% | 11.0% | 5.9% | 1981 | $1,245 | 24.5% | 94.3% | 5.0% |
| Ferrysburg | 2.05 | 50.7 | 4.7% | 20.0% | 13.8% | 1985 | $1,364 | 51.7% | 98.1% | 0.7% |
| Wolf Lake | 2.45 | 44.9 | 14.3% | 5.3% | 6.2% | 1977 | $1,047 | 17.6% | 96.1% | 6.4% |
| Spring Lake | 2.40 | 44.3 | 5.4% | 16.4% | 8.4% | 1984 | $1,319 | 47.9% | 97.7% | 2.7% |
| Sullivan | 2.61 | 40.4 | 7.3% | 6.4% | 2.8% | 1973 | $1,053 | 18.4% | 94.3% | 3.2% |
| Twin Lake | 2.65 | 41.4 | 11.7% | 5.5% | 13.4% | 1984 | $911 | 22.1% | 94.8% | 7.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Frostburg, MD · Southside, AL · Golden Valley, AZ · Gloucester Point, VA · Getzville, NY · Georgetown, IN · Geneva, OH · Geneseo, NY · Geneseo, IL · Galena Park, TX
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Muskegon Heights. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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