Muskegon County, Michigan: commercial real estate data.
Muskegon County, Michigan had an estimated 177,428 residents on July 1, 2024, up 1.5 percent since the 2020 census base of 174,737, across 499 square miles. County output reached $8.39 bn in 2024, 3,147 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 217 7(a) approvals worth $89.2 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Muskegon County
How many people live in Muskegon County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024175,961
- Households67,732
- Average household size2.60
- Median household income$65,024
- Median age40.0
- Median gross rent$1,028 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$198,300
- Home value to household income3.0 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income19.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher21.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree6.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over122,392
- Population under 1839,518
- Share under 1822.5 percent
- Population 65 and over32,488
- Share 65 and over18.5 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64103,955
- Civilian labor force83,938
- Unemployment rate6.4 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over61.5 percent
- Rank by population among Michigan counties12th of 83
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included389th of 3,222
Muskegon County is the 12th largest of 83 Michigan counties by population. A median home costs 3.0 times median household income, which is affordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 22.5 percent against 18.5 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Muskegon County
Is Muskegon County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024177,428
- Census 2020 base population174,737
- Population change since the 2020 census base1.54 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024952
- Births, 20241,843
- Deaths, 20241,909
- Natural change, 2024-66
- Net domestic migration, 2024841
- Net international migration, 2024171
- Total net migration, 20241,012
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20243,004
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents1315th of 3,144
The county has grown 1.54 percent since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Muskegon County
Where are people moving to Muskegon County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving3,394
- People arriving, from those returns5,855
- Tax returns filed by households leaving3,047
- Net household movement347
- Adjusted gross income arriving$192.6 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$32.6 m
- Average income of an arriving household$56,743
- Average income of a leaving household$52,514
- Largest single originOttawa County (838 households)
- Largest single destinationOttawa County (699 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa County | 838 | 1,483 | $45.5 m |
| Kent County | 600 | 1,010 | $31.0 m |
| Newaygo County | 183 | 350 | $8.2 m |
| Oceana County | 166 | 312 | $6.4 m |
| Allegan County | 52 | 87 | $2.3 m |
| Mason County | 48 | 82 | $3.3 m |
| Kalamazoo County | 47 | 72 | $2.3 m |
| Wayne County | 46 | 71 | $2.5 m |
Households arriving report $4,229 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Ottawa County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Muskegon County
What is the Muskegon County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$8.39 bn
- County GDP, 2023$7.99 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20245.1 percent
- GDP change over five years35.3 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Michigan areas BEA publishes15th of 83
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes507th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$47,693
Output grew 5.1 percent in the latest year and 35.3 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Muskegon County
Employment by industry in Muskegon County
- Covered employment, annual average63,475
- Establishments reporting3,152
- Average annual pay$53,204
- Average weekly wage$1,023
- Manufacturing, employment13,093
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$73,625
- Retail trade, employment11,104
- Retail trade, average annual pay$34,215
- Health care and social assistance, employment10,424
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$57,635
- Accommodation and food services, employment6,838
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$22,338
- Construction, employment2,424
- Professional, scientific and technical services, employment1,848
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 13,093 | 285 | $73,625 |
| Retail trade | 11,104 | 463 | $34,215 |
| Health care and social assistance | 10,424 | 340 | $57,635 |
| Accommodation and food services | 6,838 | 313 | $22,338 |
| Construction | 2,424 | 296 | $77,963 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 1,848 | 193 | $61,559 |
| Other services, except public administration | 1,828 | 300 | $35,766 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 1,553 | 146 | $40,896 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 13,093 jobs, 20.6 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Muskegon County
How many businesses are in Muskegon County?
- Establishments, all industries3,147
- Employment at those establishments51,826
- Annual payroll$2.63 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents17.9
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Muskegon County
Building permits in Muskegon County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024423
- Declared construction value permitted$105.6 m
- Single family units authorized308
- Multifamily units authorized115
- Multifamily share of units27.2 percent
- Average declared value per unit$249,639
- Units authorized per 1,000 households6.2
Single-family homes are 72.8 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Muskegon County
SBA loans in Muskegon County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded217
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$89.2 m
- Average 7(a) approval$410,838
- Median 7(a) approval$150,000
- 10th percentile approval$25,000
- 90th percentile approval$985,000
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)1,944
- Jobs per approval9.0
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active34
- Distinct industries receiving approvals101
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer18.0 percent
- Loans on real estate terms39
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter166
- Franchise loans23
- Franchise share of approvals10.6 percent
- Leading industry by approval countFull-Service Restaurants (12)
- Most active lenderThe Huntington National Bank (122)
- 504 approvals recorded48
- 504 gross approval dollars$35.4 m
- Average 504 approval$737,104
- Median 504 approval$650,000
- Distinct CDCs active2
- 504 jobs per approval9.5
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved12.9
- Most active CDCGreat Lakes Commercial Finance (25)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$124.5 m
The average approval of $410,838 sits well above the median of $150,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 18.0 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Muskegon County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Muskegon County
Do SBA loans in Muskegon County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded54
- Paid in full51
- Charged off3
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans5.6 percent
- Status: Paid in full51
- Status: Cancelled20
- Status: Exempt from disclosure129
- Status: Charged off3
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed14
Of the 54 loans that have reached a final outcome, 5.6 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Muskegon County
SBA lending by place in Muskegon County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending12
- Muskegon, approvals134
- Norton Shores, approvals31
- Ravenna, approvals12
- Fruitport, approvals9
- Montague, approvals8
- Holton, approvals7
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Muskegon | 134 | $57,785,000 |
| Norton Shores | 31 | $15,716,000 |
| Ravenna | 12 | $992,400 |
| Fruitport | 9 | $2,606,800 |
| Montague | 8 | $2,058,800 |
| Holton | 7 | $1,111,300 |
| Whitehall | 6 | $5,860,600 |
| Twin Lake | 5 | $542,000 |
| 4 other borrower cities | 5 | $2,479,000 |
Muskegon accounts for 134 approvals against 31 in Norton Shores. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Muskegon County
How large is Muskegon County?
- Land area499 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Michigan counties72nd of 83
- Width, east to west33.8 mi
- Height, north to south24.4 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary4
- Residents per square mile of land353
- Establishments per square mile6.31
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Muskegon County
Flood risk in Muskegon County
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book21
- Of those, participating in the NFIP15
- NFIP participation rate71.4 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Muskegon County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/LZone 3
The EPA places Muskegon County in radon zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 71.4 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Muskegon County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Muskegon County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024175,961
- Households67,732
- Average household size2.60
- Median household income$65,024
- Median age40.0
Common questions
Muskegon County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Muskegon County, Michigan?
The Census Bureau estimates 177,428 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 175,961, in 67,732 households, ranking 12th of 83 Michigan counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Muskegon County's population growing?
The population has grown 1.54 percent since the 2020 census base of 174,737, to 177,428 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 1,843 births against 1,909 deaths, with net migration of 1,012. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Muskegon County?
$65,024. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $198,300, which is 3.0 times income, and median gross rent is $1,028 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Muskegon County?
3,147 establishments, employing 51,826 people with an annual payroll of $2.63 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Muskegon County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 13,093 jobs, 20.6 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 63,475 jobs at an average annual pay of $53,204, or $1,023 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Muskegon County?
217 7(a) approvals totaling $89.2 m since FY2020, across 34 lenders, with a median approval of $150,000, plus 48 504 approvals worth $35.4 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Muskegon County get paid back?
Of the 54 loans that have reached a final outcome, 51 were paid in full and 3 charged off, a charge-off rate of 5.6 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Muskegon County?
423 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $105.6 m. Multifamily was 27.2 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Muskegon County?
Zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Muskegon County come from?
The largest single origin is Ottawa County, with 838 households. Arriving households report an average income of $56,743 against $52,514 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Muskegon County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Muskegon County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Muskegon County
Cities and places in Muskegon.
13 Census places lie wholly or partly in Muskegon County. All 13 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskegon | city | 37,226 | 134 | Wholly in this county |
| Norton Shores | city | 25,041 | 31 | Wholly in this county |
| Muskegon Heights | city | 9,841 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Wolf Lake | CDP | 4,654 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Roosevelt Park | city | 4,144 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| North Muskegon | city | 4,098 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Whitehall | city | 3,024 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
| Montague | city | 2,531 | 8 | Wholly in this county |
| Twin Lake | CDP | 2,036 | 5 | Wholly in this county |
| Ravenna | village | 1,540 | 12 | Wholly in this county |
| Lakewood Club | village | 1,255 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Fruitport | village | 1,212 | 9 | Wholly in this county |
| Casnovia | village | 377 | 1 | 46.3 percent here, 53.7 percent Kent County |
A further 9 of the county's 217 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Muskegon County, the largest being Holton (7), N. Muskegon (1), Muskegon Hts (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby