# Muskegon County, Michigan

Muskegon County (/məˈskiːɡən/ mə-SKEE-gən) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of 2020, the population was 175,824. The county seat is Muskegon.
Muskegon County comprises the Muskegon, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger Grand Rapids-Kentwood-Muskegon, MI Combined Statistical Area.

## History

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.
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.
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". See List of Michigan county name etymologies.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,460 square miles (3,800 km$^2$), of which 499 square miles (1,290 km$^2$) is land and 961 square miles (2,490 km$^2$) (66%) is water.
Michigan's second longest river, Muskegon River, 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. 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.

### Bodies of water

* Muskegon Lake
* Muskegon River
* Mona Lake
* White Lake
* White River
* Little Black Lake
* Little Blue Lake
* Wolf Lake
* Fox Lake
* Big Blue Lake
* Bear Lake
* Duck Lake
* Twin Lake

### National protected area

* Manistee National Forest (part)

### Transit

* Muskegon Area Transit System
* Lake Express

### Major highways

* I-96
* US 31
* Bus. US 31 (Muskegon)
* Bus. US 31 (Whitehall-Montague)
* M-37
* M-46
* M-120
* B-15
* B-23
* B-31
* B-35
* B-72
* B-86

### Adjacent counties

By land
* Oceana County, Michigan - north
* Newaygo County, Michigan - northeast
* Kent County, Michigan - east
* Ottawa County, Michigan - east, south
By water
* Milwaukee County, Wisconsin - southwest
* Ozaukee County, Wisconsin - west

## Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, 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 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/km$^2$). There were 68,556 housing units at an average density of 135 per square mile (52/km$^2$). 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.

## Government

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, after narrowly losing the county in both 2016 and 2020 amid his surge in the Rust Belt, Donald Trump flipped it in 2024.
United States presidential election results for Muskegon County, Michigan :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 47,733 | 50.15% | 46,028 | 48.36% | 1,420 | 1.49% |
| 2020 | 45,133 | 48.82% | 45,643 | 49.37% | 1,668 | 1.80% |
| 2016 | 36,127 | 45.89% | 37,304 | 47.39% | 5,292 | 6.72% |
| 2012 | 30,884 | 40.43% | 44,436 | 58.16% | 1,077 | 1.41% |
| 2008 | 29,145 | 34.51% | 53,821 | 63.73% | 1,490 | 1.76% |
| 2004 | 35,302 | 43.96% | 44,282 | 55.14% | 729 | 0.91% |
| 2000 | 30,028 | 43.35% | 37,865 | 54.66% | 1,377 | 1.99% |
| 1996 | 21,873 | 34.48% | 35,328 | 55.69% | 6,237 | 9.83% |
| 1992 | 23,769 | 33.04% | 32,515 | 45.19% | 15,664 | 21.77% |
| 1988 | 33,567 | 53.36% | 28,977 | 46.06% | 363 | 0.58% |
| 1984 | 39,355 | 60.67% | 25,247 | 38.92% | 261 | 0.40% |
| 1980 | 36,512 | 53.73% | 26,645 | 39.21% | 4,797 | 7.06% |
| 1976 | 35,548 | 56.06% | 27,013 | 42.60% | 846 | 1.33% |
| 1972 | 36,428 | 59.60% | 22,804 | 37.31% | 1,893 | 3.10% |
| 1968 | 28,233 | 48.11% | 24,492 | 41.74% | 5,958 | 10.15% |
| 1964 | 22,146 | 37.51% | 36,769 | 62.28% | 119 | 0.20% |
| 1960 | 32,667 | 52.98% | 28,755 | 46.63% | 239 | 0.39% |
| 1956 | 30,395 | 54.04% | 25,679 | 45.65% | 172 | 0.31% |
| 1952 | 25,967 | 51.47% | 23,826 | 47.23% | 653 | 1.29% |
| 1948 | 15,382 | 41.45% | 20,631 | 55.60% | 1,094 | 2.95% |
| 1944 | 16,536 | 44.95% | 19,963 | 54.27% | 287 | 0.78% |
| 1940 | 14,957 | 43.45% | 19,257 | 55.94% | 210 | 0.61% |
| 1936 | 9,366 | 34.52% | 17,252 | 63.58% | 515 | 1.90% |
| 1932 | 11,971 | 45.58% | 13,497 | 51.39% | 797 | 3.03% |
| 1928 | 16,997 | 76.28% | 5,158 | 23.15% | 126 | 0.57% |
| 1924 | 14,422 | 79.22% | 1,462 | 8.03% | 2,322 | 12.75% |
| 1920 | 11,702 | 73.70% | 3,468 | 21.84% | 707 | 4.45% |
| 1916 | 5,692 | 52.16% | 4,465 | 40.91% | 756 | 6.93% |
| 1912 | 1,523 | 18.47% | 1,678 | 20.35% | 5,045 | 61.18% |
| 1908 | 5,070 | 69.25% | 1,794 | 24.50% | 457 | 6.24% |
| 1904 | 5,453 | 76.46% | 1,181 | 16.56% | 498 | 6.98% |
| 1900 | 5,250 | 63.60% | 2,796 | 33.87% | 209 | 2.53% |
| 1896 | 4,682 | 58.79% | 3,110 | 39.05% | 172 | 2.16% |
| 1892 | 3,830 | 49.76% | 3,301 | 42.89% | 566 | 7.35% |
| 1888 | 4,521 | 52.44% | 3,514 | 40.76% | 587 | 6.81% |
| 1884 | 3,483 | 49.79% | 3,171 | 45.33% | 342 | 4.89% |

### County government

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions — police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

#### Elected officials

* Prosecuting Attorney: D.J. Hilson
* Sheriff: Michael J. Poulin
* County Clerk: Karen Buie
* County Treasurer: Tony Moulatsiotis
* Register of Deeds: Mark F. Fairchild
* Drain Commissioner: Brenda M Moore
* County Surveyor: Stephen Vallier
(information as of May 2017)

### Prison

The Michigan Department of Corrections operates the Muskegon Correctional Facility in southeastern Muskegon. The prison first opened in 1974.

### State representation

In The Michigan House of Representatives, Muskegon County is represented by Will Snyder (D) of the 87th district, Greg VanWoerkom (R) of the 88th district, Luke Meerman (R) of the 89th district, and Curt VanderWall (R) of the 102nd district.
In The Michigan Senate, Muskegon County is represented by Jon Bumstead (R) of the 32nd district, and Rick Outman (R) of the 33rd district.

## Education

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

## Historical markers

There are twenty-three recognized historical markers in the county: 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

## Communities
### Cities

* Montague
* Muskegon Heights
* Muskegon (county seat)
* North Muskegon
* Norton Shores
* Roosevelt Park
* Whitehall

### Villages

* Casnovia
* Fruitport
* Lakewood Club
* Ravenna

### Charter townships

* Fruitport Charter Township
* Muskegon Township

### Civil townships

* Blue Lake Township
* Casnovia Township
* Cedar Creek Township
* Dalton Township
* Egelston Township
* Fruitland Township
* Holton Township
* Laketon Township
* Montague Township
* Moorland Township
* Ravenna Township
* Sullivan Township
* White River Township
* Whitehall Township

### Census-designated places

* Twin Lake
* Wolf Lake

### Unincorporated communities

* Wabaningo
* Brunswick (partially)