Muskegon County, Michigan

Muskegon County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of 2019, the population was 173,566.[2] The county seat is Muskegon.[3]

Not to be confused with Muskingum County.
Muskegon County
U.S. county
Muskegon County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°17′N 86°27′W
Country United States
State Michigan
Founded1859[1]
Named forMuskegon River
SeatMuskegon
Largest cityNorton Shores (area), Muskegon (population)
Area
 • Total1,460 sq mi (3,800 km2)
 • Land499 sq mi (1,290 km2)
 • Water961 sq mi (2,490 km2)  66%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
173,566
 • Density345/sq mi (133/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.co.muskegon.mi.us

Muskegon County comprises the Muskegon, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger Grand Rapids-Kentwood-Muskegon, MI Combined Statistical Area. The White River flows through the county to its mouth at Lake Michigan.

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.[4]

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".[1][5] 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 km2), of which 499 square miles (1,290 km2) is land and 961 square miles (2,490 km2) (66%) is water.[6]

Bodies of water

National protected area

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18603,947—
187014,894277.3%
188026,58678.5%
189040,01350.5%
190037,036−7.4%
191040,5779.6%
192062,36253.7%
193084,63035.7%
194094,50111.7%
1950121,54528.6%
1960129,9436.9%
1970157,42621.2%
1980157,5890.1%
1990158,9830.9%
2000170,2007.1%
2010172,1881.2%
2019 (est.)173,566[7]0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2019[12]

As of the 2010 United States Census,[13] 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[14] of 2000, there were 170,200 people, 63,330 households, and 44,267 families living in the county. The population density 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% 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, backing the national winner from 1920 to 1996 except for 1960 & 1976. Starting with the 1992 election, the county has consistently backed Democratic Party presidential candidates, usually by wide margins aside from 2016 where Donald Trump only lost the county by 1.5% as he won statewide albeit only by a plurality due to higher than usual third party voting, and again in 2020 when Muskegon voters narrowed Trump's deficit to 0.6% behind Joe Biden.

Presidential election results
Presidential election results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 48.8% 45,133 49.4% 45,643 1.8% 1,668
2016 45.9% 36,127 47.4% 37,304 6.7% 5,292
2012 40.4% 30,884 58.2% 44,436 1.4% 1,077
2008 34.5% 29,145 63.7% 53,821 1.8% 1,490
2004 44.0% 35,302 55.1% 44,282 0.9% 729
2000 43.4% 30,028 54.7% 37,865 2.0% 1,377
1996 34.5% 21,873 55.7% 35,328 9.8% 6,237
1992 33.0% 23,769 45.2% 32,515 21.8% 15,664
1988 53.4% 33,567 46.1% 28,977 0.6% 363
1984 60.7% 39,355 38.9% 25,247 0.4% 261
1980 53.7% 36,512 39.2% 26,645 7.1% 4,797
1976 56.1% 35,548 42.6% 27,013 1.3% 846
1972 59.6% 36,428 37.3% 22,804 3.1% 1,893
1968 48.1% 28,233 41.7% 24,492 10.2% 5,958
1964 37.5% 22,146 62.3% 36,769 0.2% 119
1960 53.0% 32,667 46.6% 28,755 0.4% 239
1956 54.0% 30,395 45.7% 25,679 0.3% 172
1952 51.5% 25,967 47.2% 23,826 1.3% 653
1948 41.5% 15,382 55.6% 20,631 3.0% 1,094
1944 45.0% 16,536 54.3% 19,963 0.8% 287
1940 43.5% 14,957 55.9% 19,257 0.6% 210
1936 34.5% 9,366 63.6% 17,252 1.9% 515
1932 45.6% 11,971 51.4% 13,497 3.0% 797
1928 76.3% 16,997 23.2% 5,158 0.6% 126
1924 79.2% 14,422 8.0% 1,462 12.8% 2,322
1920 73.7% 11,702 21.8% 3,468 4.5% 707
1916 52.2% 5,692 40.9% 4,465 6.9% 756
1912 18.5% 1,523 20.4% 1,678 61.2% 5,045
1908 69.3% 5,070 24.5% 1,794 6.2% 457
1904 76.5% 5,453 16.6% 1,181 7.0% 498
1900 63.6% 5,250 33.9% 2,796 2.5% 209
1896 58.8% 4,682 39.1% 3,110 2.2% 172
1892 49.8% 3,830 42.9% 3,301 7.4% 566
1888 52.4% 4,521 40.8% 3,514 6.8% 587
1884 49.8% 3,483 45.3% 3,171 4.9% 342

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

(information as of May 2017)

State representation

The Michigan Department of Corrections operates the Muskegon Correctional Facility in southeastern Muskegon. The prison first opened in 1974.[16]

Education

Public School Districts in Muskegon County:

Private School Districts in Muskegon County:

Colleges and Universities:

Historical markers

There are twenty-three recognized historical markers in the county:[17] 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

Villages

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Townships

See also

References
  1. "Bibliography on Muskegon County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. Hoogterp, Edward (2006). West Michigan Almanac, p. 105. The University of Michigan Press.
  5. Michigan History, Arts and Libraries on sources of County names.
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  12. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-09-15.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  16. "Muskegon Correctional Facility (MCF). Michigan Department of Corrections. Retrieved on June 3, 2011.
  17. "Michigan Historical Markers". michmarkers.com. Archived from the original on 2010-03-15. Retrieved 2008-01-12.

Further reading

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