Muskegon (pronounced mə- SKEE -gən) is a city in Muskegon County, Michigan, United States. It is the main city of the county and is located near a harbor on Lake Michigan. Muskegon is known for activities such as fishing, sailing regattas, and boating. It is the largest city on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2020 census, the city had a population of 38,318. Muskegon operates independently from nearby Muskegon Township, and some areas in the township and other nearby regions use Muskegon addresses.

Muskegon is the central city of the Muskegon metropolitan statistical area, which includes the entire Muskegon County. This area had a population of 175,824 as of the 2020 census. Muskegon is also part of the larger Grand Rapids–Kentwood–Muskegon combined statistical area.

History

The name "Muskegon" comes from the Ottawa word "mashkiigong," which means "marshy river or swamp."

The "Masquigon" River (Muskegon River) was shown on French maps from the late 1600s, showing that French explorers had reached the western coast of Michigan by that time. In 1675, Father Jacques Marquette traveled through the area on his journey to St. Ignace. In 1679, a group of French soldiers under Henry de Tonty, who was a lieutenant for La Salle, also passed through the region.

The earliest known Euro-American person in the county was Edward Fitzgerald, a fur trader and trapper who arrived in the Muskegon area in 1748 and was buried near White Lake. Between 1790 and 1800, a French-Canadian trader named Joseph La Framboise built a fur-trading post at the mouth of Duck Lake. Between 1810 and 1820, several French-Canadian fur traders, including Lamar Andie, Jean Baptiste Recollect, and Pierre Constant, set up fur-trading posts around Muskegon Lake.

Euro-American settlement in Muskegon began in 1837, which was the same year that people started using the area’s large timber resources. The start of the lumber industry in 1837 began a time that some people consider the most romantic in the area’s history. Lumbering in the mid-1800s brought many settlers, especially from Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

Some neighborhoods in Muskegon started as separate villages. Bluffton was founded as a lumbering village in 1862 in Laketon Township. It had its own post office from 1868 until 1892. Muskegon added Bluffton to its area in 1889.

Geography

Muskegon is located in western Muskegon County, on the south side of Muskegon Lake, which is part of Lake Michigan. The city is next to the north, across Muskegon Lake, by the city of North Muskegon and Laketon Township. To the east is Muskegon Township, to the southeast is Fruitport Township, to the south are the cities of Muskegon Heights, Roosevelt Park, and Norton Shores, and to the west is Lake Michigan. Muskegon is 42 miles (68 km) northwest of Grand Rapids, 36 miles (58 km) north of Holland, and 58 miles (93 km) south of Ludington.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city covers an area of 18.20 square miles (47.14 km²), with 4.05 square miles (10.49 km²), or 22.3%, covered by water. The Muskegon River flows into Muskegon Lake at the city’s northeast end.

In May 2022, local environmental groups announced that cleanup efforts along Muskegon Lake were completed. This allowed the Environmental Protection Agency to begin studying whether to remove Muskegon Lake from the EPA’s list of "Areas of Concern." The removal was expected to be finalized by the end of 2022 and could bring new economic activity to the downtown and nearby lakefront areas.

Muskegon has a humid continental climate (Dfa) with hot summers and cold winters. Rainfall happens throughout the year. During winter, heavy snow from Lake Michigan, called lake-effect snow, falls on the city.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Muskegon had a population of 38,318. The median age was 38.0 years. 21.2% of people were younger than 18 years old, and 15.3% were 65 years or older. For every 100 females, there were 109.9 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 112.6 males aged 18 and over.

All residents lived in urban areas, and no one lived in rural areas.

There were 14,616 households in Muskegon. 27.1% of these households had children under 18 living with them. 25.4% were married-couple households. 24.6% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present, and 40.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 39.5% of households had only one person living in them, and 15.3% had someone 65 years or older living alone.

There were 16,184 housing units in Muskegon. 9.7% of these units were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3%, and the rental vacancy rate was 7.2%.

As of the 2010 census, 38,401 people, 13,967 households, and 7,895 families lived in Muskegon. The population density was 2,702.4 people per square mile (1,043.4 per square kilometer). There were 16,105 housing units, with an average density of 1,133.4 per square mile (437.6 per square kilometer). The racial makeup was 57.0% White, 34.5% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 2.6% from other races, and 4.5% from two or more races. 8.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 13,967 households, 32.5% had children under 18 living with them. 27.9% were married couples living together. 22.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present. 43.5% were not families. About 36.0% of households had only one person living in them, and 12.8% had someone 65 years or older living alone. The average household size was 2.38 people, and the average family size was 3.09 people.

The median age in the city was 34.1 years. 23.3% of people were younger than 18, 12.2% were 18 to 24 years old, 28.8% were 25 to 44 years old, 24.1% were 45 to 64 years old, and 11.6% were 65 years or older. The city’s gender makeup was 52.1% male and 47.9% female.

As of the 2000 census, 40,105 people, 14,569 households, and 8,537 families lived in Muskegon. The population density was 2,794.5 people per square mile (1,079.0 per square kilometer). There were 15,999 housing units, with an average density of 1,114.8 per square mile (430.4 per square kilometer). The racial makeup was 57.9% White, 31.7% African American, 2.3% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 2.7% from other races, and 3.50% from two or more races. 6.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 14,569 households, 31.1% had children under 18 living with them. 33.2% were married couples living together. 20.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.4% were not families. About 34.4% of households had only one person living in them, and 12.9% had someone 65 years or older living alone. The average household size was 2.42 people, and the average family size was 3.13 people.

The age distribution was 25.8% under 18, 11.6% aged 18 to 24, 32.2% aged 25 to 44, 18.0% aged 45 to 64, and 12.4% 65 years or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 110.3 males.

The median household income was $27,929, and the median family income was $32,640. Males had a median income of $29,114, and females had a median income of $22,197. The per capita income was $14,283. About 16.8% of families and 20.5% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 27.6% of people under 18 and 14.3% of people 65 years or older.

Economy

Downtown Muskegon is the center of activity in Muskegon County. It is located along the southern shore of Muskegon Lake and spans almost two miles. The area includes many hotels, a 25,000-square-foot convention center that opened in 2021, and the Trinity Health Arena. The Muskegon Farmer's Market attracts more than 10,000 visitors every Saturday during the summer. Additionally, boutique incubator shops and chalets on Western Avenue are a popular spot for both locals and visitors who want to support small businesses.

Arts and culture

Muskegon is home to several historical war ships and vessels. The USS Silversides Submarine Museum features the USS Silversides, a World War II submarine; the USS LST-393, a World War II tank landing ship; and the USCGC McLane, a United States Coast Guard cutter from the Prohibition era. In addition, Muskegon also has a place for the Milwaukee Clipper, a former passenger ship built in 1904 that traveled the same route as Lake Express does today.

The Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts includes two theaters: the main historic Frauenthal house and the smaller Beardsley Theater in the adjoining Hilt Building. It was renovated in 1998 and again in 2021. The center shows JAM Theatrical productions, Muskegon Civic Theatre productions, and is home to the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra. The Frauenthal was originally built as the Michigan Theater in 1929.

The Muskegon Museum of Art opened in 1912. Important pieces in its collection include Tornado Over Kansas by John Steuart Curry. Muskegon has a growing collection of publicly owned and displayed art pieces. More than two dozen pieces are on permanent display, mostly in the downtown area.

The Lakeshore Museum Center and Hackley & Hume Historic Site were built by wealthy lumber owners and are restored and open to the public. The Hackley & Hume mansions are part of downtown Muskegon's Heritage Village, located two blocks from Muskegon Lake and a National Register Historic District. The mansions are operated with the Lakeshore Museum Center, which details the history of Muskegon County, from the Potawatomi and Odawa Native American tribes and lakeside fur traders to the Lumber Queen of the World to today.

Events held in the town include:

• Taste of Muskegon in June
• Parties in the Park, every Friday from June to August at Hackley Park
• The Lakeshore Art Festival in June
• WeDiscover Festival in July, a two-day event with electronic music, cars, food, fireworks, and family activities
• Motorcycle rally in July
• Burning Foot Beer Festival held at Pere Marquette Beach
• The Unity Christian Music Festival in August at Heritage Landing
• The Michigan Irish Music Festival in September at Heritage Landing
• The Muskegon Polish Festival on Labor Day weekend
• The International Buster Keaton Society annual convention in October

Fraternal organizations are an important part of life in Western Michigan. Clubs with active memberships include:

• Independent Order of Vikings
• Fraternal Order of Eagles
• Knights of Columbus
• Polish Falcons
• Lithuanian Club
• Muskegon Recreational Club
• Lakeside Veterans Club

Sports

Sports teams that have played in Muskegon include:

The Seaway Run happens every year in late June. It includes a 15k race, a 5k race, a 5k walk for fun, and a 15k wheelchair race.

Parks and recreation

Pere Marquette Beach is the largest free public beach on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. It is a place where people can enjoy windsurfing, kite boarding competitions, and professional volleyball tournaments. The beach has a large area of quartz sand and is surrounded by tall sand dunes. It is a popular spot for cyclists, runners, hikers, and families. The beach faces west, making sunsets there especially beautiful.

The Muskegon Lakeshore Bike Trail allows people to bike along the shores of Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan. There are two trails: one on the east side of Muskegon and another on the north side. The northern trail connects to other trails, such as the Hart-Montague Bike Trail, which lets riders travel from Muskegon to Hart, Michigan, entirely on bike paths.

Muskegon State Park includes a Winter Sports Complex where visitors can enjoy ice fishing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, and a luge track. P.J. Hoffmaster State Park has many sand dunes, two campgrounds, and a public beach.

Michigan's Adventure, the largest amusement park in the state, is located in Muskegon County, a few miles north of the city of Muskegon. The park includes a midway with roller coasters, rides, amusements, and a full water park.

Muskegon Country Club was founded in 1908. Its course was originally designed by Tom Bendelow and later redesigned by Donald Ross.

Government

The city uses a Commission-Manager system for local government. A group of seven people, including a mayor and six commissioners, makes laws and oversees city operations. Four commissioners are chosen by voters in specific areas called wards, while two commissioners are elected by all city residents. The mayor is also elected by all residents and leads the commission. The commission employs a city manager to handle the everyday tasks of running the city.

Education

Muskegon Public Schools was started in 1860 and helps students from preschool through grade 12. It also runs the Muskegon Training and Education Center. Private schools that serve students in Muskegon include Muskegon Catholic Central, Fruitport Calvary Christian, and Western Michigan Christian. Muskegon is also served by Muskegon Community College and Baker College. Western Michigan University, Ferris State University, and Grand Valley State University offer programs at the Stevenson Center for Higher Education, which is located on the Muskegon Community College campus.

Media

Muskegon's main newspaper is called The Muskegon Chronicle. It is a daily newspaper owned by Booth Newspapers and began publishing in 1857.

The city is covered by the local television station WMKG-CD.

The Muskegon area also has several radio stations. WUVS-LP 103.7 is a popular station that plays urban music like hip-hop and R&B, as well as gospel music. It also broadcasts local shows and Sunday religious programs. Another local radio station, WUGM-LP 106.1, is owned by the Muskegon Training and Education Center. This station plays "Urban Oldies" music and is called "M-TEC 106 FM, Rock 'n' Soul." A newer station, WFFR-LP 100.9, is based in nearby Roosevelt Park and plays classic hits along with local programming.

Other local FM radio stations include:
– 90.3 WBLV-FM (classical music, jazz, and NPR programming)
– 91.7 WMCQ-FM (religious programming)
– 92.5 WWSN-FM (adult contemporary music)
– 95.3 WGVS-FM (public radio)
– 97.5 WLAW-FM (country music)
– 98.3 WLCS-FM (oldies music)
– 100.1 WVIB-FM (urban contemporary music)
– 101.7 WMRR-FM (classic rock)
– 104.5 WSNX-FM (top 40 music, with studios in Grand Rapids)
– 106.9 WOOD-FM (news and talk programming, same as WOOD-AM 1300 in Grand Rapids)
– 107.9 WMUS-FM (country music).

Other local AM radio stations include WSMZ 850 and WLAW 1490 (country music), in addition to WKBZ.

Transportation

Public transportation in Muskegon is managed by the Muskegon Area Transit System (MATS – "The Shore Line"). MATS operates nine bus routes, three trolley routes, and a special transportation service called paratransit. MATS serves the Herman Ivory Passenger Terminal.

MATS also manages the Muskegon Trolley Company. Three trolley routes cover the north side, south side, and downtown areas. Each trolley route stops at 11 locations, including Hackley and Hume Historic Site, USS Silversides, and Muskegon State Park.

Greyhound Lines once operated from downtown Muskegon as the final stop for their cross-state bus route along I-96 to Detroit. Greyhound stopped providing these services during the travel decline caused by the 2020 COVID Pandemic. Another regional bus company, Indian Trails, took over most of Greyhound’s former routes in Michigan. However, no long-distance bus services have returned to Muskegon as of 2025.

Commercial air travel is currently offered by Denver Air Connection, which provides regional jet flights from Muskegon County Airport (MKG) to Chicago O'Hare Airport. Other airlines operate flights through Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids.

Muskegon is the eastern port of the Lake Express High-Speed Car Ferry, which travels across Lake Michigan to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The ferry offers three roundtrips daily during the summer and two roundtrips during the fall.

Several major highways connect Muskegon to other areas. The Michigan Shore Railway provides freight rail service for many industries in Muskegon. Passenger rail service in Muskegon ended in 1971 when Amtrak began operating. The Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad’s routes in Michigan were not included in Amtrak’s original system. The nearest passenger rail services are now available in nearby Holland or Grand Rapids via Amtrak.

Before 1971, the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway (which replaced the Pere Marquette Railway) operated trains from Union Station to Holland and Chicago. In 1973, the C&O became part of the Chessie System and later became part of CSX Transportation in 1987. In 2005, CSX leased its Muskegon area rail lines to MS. Earlier, the Grand Trunk Western and Pennsylvania Railroad operated passenger trains from another Muskegon station to various locations in Michigan.

In 1937, the Grand Trunk Western began operating ferries that connected with trains and carried passengers and vehicles across Lake Michigan to Milwaukee. Before this, the GTW operated ferries from Grand Haven. The GTW stopped ferry service in 1978. After that, ferries continued to operate from Ludington, Michigan, until the Lake Express began service on June 1, 2004.

Notable people

• John Beyrle, son of Joseph Beyrle, U.S. ambassador to the Russian Federation; confirmed on July 3, 2008
• Joseph Beyrle, only soldier who served in both the U.S. Army and the Soviet Army during World War II
• Nancy Anne Fleming, Miss America 1961
• Seth Privacky, murderer
• Vonda Kay Van Dyke, Miss America 1965
• Captain Jonathan Walker, "The Man With the Branded Hand" abolitionist

Business and politics

• Margaret Bailey Chandler, community leader and member of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
• Tudor Dixon, politician
• Charles Hackley (1837–1905), lumber baron, philanthropist (Hackley Hospital, Hackley Library, Hackley Administration Building, Hackley Avenue, Hackley Art Gallery, Hackley Park). After a gift of $12 million to the community, the city of Muskegon considered changing its name to "Hackleyville".

• Richard Mell, politician

• Jim Bakker, TV evangelist
• Edmund Cardinal Szoka, cardinal, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State

Science and technology

• Heber Doust Curtis (1872–1942), astronomer
• Clara H. Hasse (1880–1926), botanist
• David Leestma, astronaut
• W. Wesley Peterson, mathematician and computer scientist, invented the Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)

• Haddon Sundblom, graphic artist, created popular images of Santa Claus for Coca-Cola

• Laurie Keller, children's book writer and illustrator best known for The Scrambled States of America and Grandpa Gazillion's Number Yard
• Douglas Malloch, the “lumberman’s poet”
• John Frederick Nims, poet
• Cathy O'Brien, conspiracy theorist and author
• Lewis B. Smedes, theologian and author
• Bob Wood, author of Dodger Dogs to Fenway Franks and Big Ten Country

• Børns, singer and songwriter, born in Muskegon
• Steve Gorman, drummer, Black Crowes, born in Muskegon
• Rick Johnson, musician, bass player for Mustard Plug
• Bettye LaVette, soul singer
• Iggy Pop, punk rock icon
• Louise Cooper Spindle, composer
• Wayne Static, lead singer and guitarist for industrial metal band Static-X
• Bill Szymczyk, music producer of the Eagles, The Who and others
• Gerry Teifer, music publisher, songwriter, performer
• Richard Versalle, opera singer

• Carly Jibson, Broadway and television actress, played Tracy Turnblad in the first national tour company of Hairspray and originated the role of Pepper in the musical Cry Baby
• Buster Keaton, iconic comedian and film director; born in Kansas and spent childhood summers in Muskegon with his family in the Muskegon Actors' Colony. A vaudevillian who traveled constantly except in summer, Keaton regarded Muskegon as his hometown.
• Kate Reinders, Broadway actress, played Glinda in Wicked and Caroline in Good Vibrations

• Matt Crouch, film producer and CEO of TBN
• Harry Morgan, versatile stage, film and TV actor, played Colonel Potter on the TV series MASH* (1972–1983)
• Frank Stanton, former president of CBS
• Quincy Isaiah, actor and former football player, played Magic Johnson in the HBO series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
• Beth Smith, fictional character from television series Rick and Morty

• Justin Abdelkader, NHL player, Detroit Red Wings
• Curtis Adams, NFL player, San Diego Chargers
• Beatrice Allard, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
• Virginia Bell, served in the Women's Army Corps in Japan during World War II and later joined the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
• Donna Cook, AAGPBL player
• Doris Cook, AAGPBL player
• Deyonta Davis, NBA player, Memphis Grizzlies
• Miss Dougal, AAGPBL player, 1953 Muskegon Belles
• Tony Ferguson, winner of Ultimate Fighter Season 13
• Mike Garvey, racing driver
• Bill Green, former United States and NCAA record holder in Track and Field, 5th place in 1984 Olympic Games in the hammer throw. His father William Hipkiss (1932–2008) was an attorney and resident of Muskegon for 40 years
• Bobby Grich, MLB All-Star second baseman for the Baltimore Orioles and California Angels
• Mark Grimmette, men's double luge, winner of Olympic silver (2002) and bronze (1998) medals
• Mark Hughes, basketball player and coach
• Ronald Johnson, University of Southern California and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
• Dasha Kovalova, professional bowler and five-time PWBA Tour champion (born in Ukraine and now resides in Muskegon)
• Alta Little, AAGPBL player
• Ruvell Martin, NFL player for the Seattle Seahawks
• Nate McCrary, NFL running back for the Baltimore Ravens
• Beulah McGillicutty, manager in Extreme

Sister cities

• Ōmuta is located in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
• Hartlepool is located in County Durham, United Kingdom
• Antalya is located in Turkey