Muskegon Heights, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Muskegon Heights is a small city in Michigan with a population of 9,902. Residents earn $33,780 per year, which is 55% below the national average.

2.2 /5.0
C Fair
9,902 Population 3,104/sq mi density
$33,780 Median Income $16,398 per capita
$55,800 Home Value $84,695 Zillow
$826 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
1,792 Violent Crime/100K 7,519 property/100K
C
Overall
2.2 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Economy
1.3 / 5.0
$33,780 median income, 10.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$55,800 home value, $826/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,792 violent crimes/100K (372% above avg)
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $33,780
55% lower than US avg
Home Value $55,800
80% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,792/100K
372% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.1%
79% lower than US avg
Median Rent $826
29% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 58.4%
82% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.3%
186% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 38.9%
214% higher than US avg

How Muskegon Heights Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population9,902
Median Age31.8 yrs
Density3,104/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 17%

Economy

F
Median Income$33,780
Per Capita$16,398
Unemployment10.3%
Poverty38.9%
County GDP$21,044M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$55,800
Rent$826
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$84,695

Crime

F
Violent1,792/100K
Property7,519/100K
Murder73.9/100K
Assault1,256/100K
Burglary2,392/100K

Health

Obesity58.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.8%
Heart Disease8.7%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain35.1 in/yr
Elevation626 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.1%
High School+87.1%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 39%
Commute20 min
Libraries10

Is Muskegon Heights a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Muskegon Heights receives an overall livability score of 2.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Muskegon Heights has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Muskegon Heights is $33,780, 55% below the national average of $75,149. At 10.3%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 38.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Muskegon Heights is $55,800, 80% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $826 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 1,792 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 7,519 per 100,000, 284% above the national average.

Education

7.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Muskegon Heights experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.1 inches, including 87.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Muskegon Heights has a population of 9,902 with a density of 3,104 people per square mile. The median age is 31.8 years, 18% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (75.4%), with 16.8% White, 2.9% Hispanic.

Population

9,902
Total Population
3,104
People / sq mi
31.8yrs
Median Age
18% below US avg
3.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.8%
Female 56.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Muskegon Heights vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.3%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.7%
80% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Muskegon Heights vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Muskegon Heights is $33,780, which is 55% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 38.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Muskegon Heights vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$33,780
55% below US avg
Per Capita Income$16,398
Avg Weekly Wage$1,150
IRS Avg AGI$89,969

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.3%
186% above US avg
Poverty Rate38.9%
214% above US avg
Establishments (County)6,888
County GDP$21,044M

Business (County)

Restaurants465
Healthcare621
Retail779
Manufacturing606

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,878
97% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate12.33%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.6 min
Work from Home1.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Muskegon Heights is $55,800, 80% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $826 (29% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $84,695.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$55,800
80% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$84,695
Median List Price$99,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$99,900
$/Sq Ft$58
Homes Sold11
Sale-to-List Ratio86.2%
Price Drops43.8%
Inventory32

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$826
29% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,008

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$807
1 Bedroom$891
2 Bedrooms$1,113
3 Bedrooms$1,419
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied44.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,878
97% above US avg
Effective Rate12.33%
In Muskegon Heights, 58.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.8% report depression. 44.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Muskegon Heights vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity58.4%
82% above US avg
Diabetes20.6%
Heart Disease8.7%
High Blood Pressure47.1%
Asthma15.2%
COPD12.9%
Stroke6.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking12.2%
Physical Inactivity44.3%
Depression26.8%
Mental Distress24.2%
Physical Distress19.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.1%
Checkup Rate81.2%
Premature Death5,206/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access82.2%
Healthcare Facilities621
Muskegon Heights has a violent crime rate of 1,792 per 100,000 residents, 372% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 7,519 per 100,000 (284% above US avg). The murder rate is 73.9 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Muskegon Heights vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,792.0/100K
372% above US avg
Murder73.9/100K
1073% above US avg
Rape157.0/100K
Robbery304.8/100K
Assault1,256.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property7,518.9/100K
284% above US avg
Burglary2,392.4/100K
Theft4,646.2/100K
Vehicle Theft480.3/100K
Arson138.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)21

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Muskegon Heights has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average49.4°F
9% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.1 inches
8% below US avg
Snowfall87.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation626 ft (191 m)
Area3.2 sq mi (8.3 km²)
Population Density3,104/sq mi
Coordinates43.2019°N, 86.2410°W
County FIPS26139
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 7.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (79% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 20.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.5%
D 39%

Winner: Republican by 20.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.1%
79% below US avg
High School+87.1%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,104/sq mi
Total Area3.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities621
Restaurants465
Retail Stores779

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)21
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.6 min
Work from Home1.5%

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