Norton Shores, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Norton Shores is a small city in Michigan with a population of 25,000. Residents earn $73,390 per year, which is 2% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
25,000 Population 1,076/sq mi density
$73,390 Median Income $35,856 per capita
$214,000 Home Value $281,028 Zillow
$1,286 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
175 Violent Crime/100K 2,879 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$73,390 median income, 3.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$214,000 home value, $1,286/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
175 violent crimes/100K (54% below avg)
B+
Education
3.7 / 5.0
33.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $73,390
2% lower than US avg
Home Value $214,000
24% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 175/100K
54% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 33.2%
1% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,286
11% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.6%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.7%
62% lower than US avg

How Norton Shores Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population25,000
Median Age40.1 yrs
Density1,076/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

A
Median Income$73,390
Per Capita$35,856
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty4.7%
County GDP$21,044M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$214,000
Rent$1,286
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$281,028

Crime

F
Violent175/100K
Property2,879/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault104/100K
Burglary342/100K

Health

Obesity40.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.6%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain35.1 in/yr
Elevation623 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+33.2%
High School+95.4%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 39%
Commute21 min
EV Stations3
Libraries10

Is Norton Shores a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Norton Shores receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Norton Shores offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Norton Shores is $73,390, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 4.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Norton Shores is $214,000, 24% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,286 per month. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Norton Shores is below the national average at 175 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,879 per 100,000, 47% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 33.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 95.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Norton Shores 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.

Norton Shores has a population of 25,000 with a density of 1,076 people per square mile. The median age is 40.1 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.8%), with 1.8% Hispanic, 4.1% Black.

Population

25,000
Total Population
1,076
People / sq mi
40.1yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
23.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.8%
Female 51.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Norton Shores vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.4%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.6%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Norton Shores vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Norton Shores is $73,390, which is 2% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Norton Shores vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$73,390
2% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,856
Avg Weekly Wage$1,150
IRS Avg AGI$89,969

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.7%
62% below 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 Rate3.21%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.6 min
Work from Home9.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Norton Shores is $214,000, 24% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,286 (11% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $281,028.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$214,000
24% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$281,028
Median List Price$309,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$309,450
$/Sq Ft$196
Homes Sold19
Sale-to-List Ratio98.4%
Price Drops33.3%
Inventory33

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,286
11% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied85.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,878
97% above US avg
Effective Rate3.21%
In Norton Shores, 40.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.6% report depression. 22.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Norton Shores vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.6%
26% above US avg
Diabetes9.0%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure29.3%
Asthma11.7%
COPD6.4%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity22.3%
Depression28.6%
Mental Distress18.4%
Physical Distress12.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.4%
Checkup Rate77.5%
Premature Death5,206/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access82.2%
Healthcare Facilities621
Norton Shores has a violent crime rate of 175 per 100,000 residents, 54% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,879 per 100,000 (47% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Norton Shores vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent175.0/100K
54% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape41.7/100K
Robbery29.2/100K
Assault104.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,878.6/100K
47% above US avg
Burglary341.6/100K
Theft2,432.8/100K
Vehicle Theft104.1/100K
Arson8.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)21

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Norton Shores 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

Elevation623 ft (190 m)
Area23.2 sq mi (60.2 km²)
Population Density1,076/sq mi
Coordinates43.1695°N, 86.2354°W
County FIPS26139
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 33.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (1% 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+33.2%
1% below US avg
High School+95.4%
School Test Score5.23
B+ Education Grade (3.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,076/sq mi
Total Area23.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities621
Restaurants465
Retail Stores779

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.6 min
Work from Home9.6%

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