Muskegon County ( ) is a

county A county () is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposesL. Brookes (ed.) '' Chambers Dictionary''. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, 2005. in some nations. The term is derived from the Old French denoti ...

in the U.S. state of

Michigan Michigan ( ) is a peninsular U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, Upper Midwestern United States. It shares water and land boundaries with Minnesota to the northwest, Wisconsin to the west, ...

. As of 2020, the

population Population is a set of humans or other organisms in a given region or area. Governments conduct a census to quantify the resident population size within a given jurisdiction. The term is also applied to non-human animals, microorganisms, and pl ...

was 175,824. The

county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or parish (administrative division), civil parish. The term is in use in five countries: Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, and the United States. An equiva ...

is Muskegon. Muskegon County comprises the Muskegon, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger

Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is the largest city and county seat of Kent County, Michigan, United States. With a population of 198,917 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and estimated at 200,117 in 2024, Grand Rapids is the List of municipalities ...

- Kentwood-Muskegon, MI Combined Statistical Area.

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 in European and colonial contexts, is an establishment or settlement where goods and services could be traded. Typically a trading post allows people from one geogr ...

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

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 depth () after Lake Superior and the third-largest by surface area (), after Lake Superior and Lake Huron. To the ...

. 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 , of which is land and (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

. In the south, Black Creek flows into Mona Lake which also flows 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

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

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 White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 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 (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2000, there were 170,200 people, 63,330 households, and 44,267 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 68,556 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 81.25%

, 14.20%

Black Black is a color that results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without chroma, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness.Eva Heller, ''P ...

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

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

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...

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

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

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 Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

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), also known as Teddy or T.R., was the 26th president of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. Roosevelt previously was involved in New York (state), New York politics, incl ...

. 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 The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...

amid his surge in the Rust Belt,

Donald Trump Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he served as the 45 ...

flipped it in 2024. Generally, the more urbanized southwest corner of the county, namely Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, and Roosevelt Park, leans Democratic (nearby Norton Shores is fairly neutral), while the rural areas are powerfully Republican.

County government

The county government operates the

jail A prison, also known as a jail, gaol, penitentiary, detention center, correction center, correctional facility, or remand center, is a facility where people are imprisoned under the authority of the state, usually as punishment for various cr ...

, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, 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 de ...

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 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, the , which is common ...

: 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 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 * 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)

References

External links

*
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 Michigan placenames of Native American origin 1859 establishments in Michigan Populated places established in 1859