Muskegon County is a

county A county is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposes Chambers Dictionary, L. Brookes (ed.), 2005, Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, Edinburgh in certain modern nations. The term is derived from the Old French ...

in the U.S. state of

Michigan Michigan () is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the 10th-largest state by population, the 11th-largest by area, and t ...

. As of 2020, the

population Population typically refers to the number of people in a single area, whether it be a city or town, region, country, continent, or the world. Governments typically quantify the size of the resident population within their jurisdiction usi ...

was 175,824. The

county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. The equivalent term shire town is used in the US ...

is Muskegon. Muskegon County comprises the Muskegon, MI

Metropolitan Statistical Area In the United States, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. Such regions are neither legally incorporated as a city or tow ...

, which is part of the larger

Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...

- Kentwood-Muskegon, MI

Combined Statistical Area Combined statistical area (CSA) is a United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) term for a combination of adjacent metropolitan statistical area, metropolitan (MSA) and micropolitan statistical areas (µSA) across the 50 US states and ...

. The White River flows through the county to its mouth at

Lake Michigan Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is the second-largest of the Great Lakes by volume () and the third-largest by surface area (), after Lake Superior and Lake Huron. To the east, its basin is conjoined with that o ...

History

Around 1812, Jean Baptiste Recollect and Pierre Constant set up

trading post A trading post, trading station, or trading house, also known as a factory, is an establishment or settlement where goods and services could be traded. Typically the location of the trading post would allow people from one geographic area to tr ...

s 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

. The word "Muskegon" comes from the

Ojibwa The Ojibwe, Ojibwa, Chippewa, or Saulteaux are an Anishinaabe people in what is currently southern Canada, the northern Midwestern United States, and Northern Plains. According to the U.S. census, in the United States Ojibwe people are one of ...

/ Chippewa word ''mashkig,'' meaning "marsh" or "swamp". ''See''

List of Michigan county name etymologies There are 83 counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. The boundaries of these counties have not changed substantially since 1897. However, throughout the 19th century, the state legislature frequently adjusted county boundaries. County creation ...

Geography

According to the

U.S. Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...

, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (66%) is water.

Bodies of water

* White Lake * White River * Muskegon Lake * Muskegon River *

Mona Lake Mona Lake is a freshwater lake located in Norton Shores just outside the city of Muskegon in the U.S. state of Michigan ( Muskegon County). Mona Lake is a sandy bottom lake that flows into Lake Michigan via the Mona Lake channel. History Du ...

Little Black Lake Little is a synonym for small size and may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Little'' (album), 1990 debut album of Vic Chesnutt * ''Little'' (film), 2019 American comedy film * The Littles, a series of children's novels by American author John ...

* Little Blue Lake * Wolf Lake * Fox Lake *

Big Blue Lake ''Big Blue Lake'' (, translit. Da lan hu) is a 2011 Hong Kong drama film directed by Jessey Tsang Tsui-Shan. Cast * Leila Tong * Lawrence Chou Lawrence Chou () is a Hong Kong-Canadian singer and actor. Profile Music Born in Hong ...

* Bear Lake * Duck Lake * Twin Lake

National protected area

* Manistee National Forest (part)

Major highways

* * * (Muskegon) * (Whitehall-Montague) * * * * * * * * *

Adjacent counties

Oceana County, Michigan Oceana County ( ) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 26,659. The county seat is Hart. Long known as part of the large Ojibwe territory, the county was founded by European Americans in ...

- north *

Newaygo County, Michigan Newaygo County ( ) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 49,978. The county seat is White Cloud. The county was created in 1840, and was organized in 1851. It was either named for an ...

- northeast *

Kent County, Michigan Kent County is located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the county had a population of 657,974, making it the fourth most populous county in Michigan, and the largest outside of the Detroit area. Its county seat is Grand R ...

- east * Ottawa County, Michigan - east * Ottawa County, Michigan - south * Milwaukee County, Wisconsin - southwest * Ozaukee County, Wisconsin - west

Demographics

As of the

2010 United States Census The United States census of 2010 was the twenty-third United States national census. National Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2010. The census was taken via mail-in citizen self-reporting, with enumerators serving ...

, there were 172,188 people living in the county. 77.4% were non-Hispanic

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. 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 A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses inc ...

of 2000, there were 170,200 people, 63,330 households, and 44,267 families living in the county. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopu ...

was 334 people 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%

, 14.20%

Black Black is a color which results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without hue, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness. Black and white ha ...

African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...

, 0.82% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.01%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/ racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of O ...

, 1.28% from other races, and 2.01% from two or more races. 3.53% of the population were

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties for ...

or Latino of any race. 17.2% were of

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

, 9.8% Dutch, 7.3%

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

, 7.2%

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ...

, 6.8% Irish and 5.5% Polish ancestry, 95.9% spoke

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 Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between ...

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 Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...

for the county was $17,967. About 8.80% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, 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 Theodore Roosevelt Jr. ( ; October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), often referred to as Teddy or by his initials, T. R., was an American politician, statesman, soldier, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer who served as the 26t ...

. The county became a Republican-leaning swing county from 1932 to 1988, backing the national winner from 1920 to 1996 except for 1960 & 1976, & those two years along with 2004 are the only years from 1920 on where it failed to back the winner of the national popular vote. Starting with the 1992 election, the county has consistently backed Democratic Party presidential candidates. In recent years, Muskegon County has become increasingly competitive, with

Donald Trump Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Trump graduated from the Wharton School of the University of P ...

very narrowly losing the county in both 2016 and 2020.

County government

The county government operates the

jail A prison, also known as a jail, gaol (dated, English language in England, standard English, Australian English, Australian, and Huron Historic Gaol, historically in Canada), penitentiary (American English and Canadian English), detention cen ...

, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains

vital records Vital records are records of life events kept under governmental authority, including birth certificates, marriage licenses (or marriage certificates), separation agreements, divorce certificates or divorce party and death certificates. In some ...

, administers

public health Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals". Analyzing the det ...

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. Hilso

*

Sheriff A sheriff is a government official, with varying duties, existing in some countries with historical ties to England where the office originated. There is an analogous, although independently developed, office in Iceland that is commonly transla ...

: Michael J. Pouli

*

County Clerk A clerk is a white-collar worker who conducts general office tasks, or a worker who performs similar sales-related tasks in a retail environment. The responsibilities of clerical workers commonly include record keeping, filing, staffing service ...

: Nancy A. Water

* Treasurer, County Treasurer: Tony Moulatsioti

*

Register of Deeds Recorder of deeds or deeds registry is a government office tasked with maintaining public records and documents, especially records relating to real estate ownership that provide persons other than the owner of a property with real rights over ...

: Mark F. Fairchil

* Drain Commissioner: Brenda M Moor

*

County Surveyor A county surveyor is a public official in the United Kingdom and the United States. United Kingdom Webb & Webb describe the increasing chaos that began to prevail within this same period in field of county surveying in England and Wales, with c ...

: Stephen Vallier (information as of May 2017)

State representation

The Michigan Department of Corrections operates the

Muskegon Correctional Facility Muskegon Correctional Facility (MCF) is a prison of the Michigan Department of Corrections located in Muskegon, Michigan. The prison opened in 1974. Additional housing units opened since then to accommodate more prisoners. In 2010 the state of Mic ...

in southeastern Muskegon. The prison first opened in 1974.

Education

Public School Districts in Muskegon County: *

Fruitport Community Schools Fruitport Community Schools is a school district in Fruitport, Michigan, a village located in Muskegon County, Michigan, Muskegon County. The Superintendent (education), superintendent of schools is Jason Kennedy. Schools The schools are: *Fr ...

*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 Orchard View Schools is a school district in Muskegon Township, Michigan, south of the Muskegon River in Muskegon County, Michigan. It is a member of the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District. Schools * Orchard View High School (grades ...

* Oakridge Public Schools *Ravenna Public Schools *

Reeths-Puffer School District The Reeths-Puffer School District is a public school district located in Muskegon, Michigan. Reeths-Puffer currently has an early education center, formally McMillan Elementary, 3 elementary schools, 1 intermediate school, 1 middle school, and 1 ...

*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 Baker College is a private college with its main campus in Owosso, Michigan. It was founded in 1911 and has additional campuses throughout the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The college has been accused of predatory practices. In 2022, a ProPu ...

* 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 uskegon* 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 Ruth Thompson (September 15, 1887 – April 5, 1970) was a Republican politician from the U.S. state of Michigan. A lawyer by profession, she served three terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1951 to 1957. Biography Early l ...

* Torrent House * Union Depot (Muskegon) * White Lake Yacht Club

Communities

Cities

* Montague *

Muskegon Heights Muskegon Heights is a city in Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 10,856 at the 2010 census. Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. The city is surrounded ...

* Muskegon (county seat) * North Muskegon * Norton Shores * Roosevelt Park *

Whitehall Whitehall is a road and area in the City of Westminster, Central London. The road forms the first part of the A3212 road from Trafalgar Square to Chelsea. It is the main thoroughfare running south from Trafalgar Square towards Parliament Sq ...

Villages

* Casnovia * Fruitport * Lakewood Club *

Ravenna Ravenna ( , , also ; rgn, Ravèna) is the capital city of the Province of Ravenna, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy. It was the capital city of the Western Roman Empire from 408 until its collapse in 476. It then served as the c ...

Census-designated places

Twin Lake Twin Lake is an unincorporated community in Muskegon County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place (CDP) for statistical purposes. Local government services are provided by Dalton Township. As of the 2000 census, the co ...

* Wolf Lake

Unincorporated communities

* Wabaningo * Brunswick (partially)

Townships

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

References

External links

Michigan Historical Markers.Muskegon County web siteMuskegon Area First - County-wide Economic Development agencyBluffton Church - Muskegon Independent Church
{{Coord, 43.29, -86.45, display=title, type:adm2nd_region:US-MI_source:UScensus1990 Michigan counties Grand Rapids metropolitan area 1859 establishments in Michigan Populated places established in 1859