CountyScore

Muskegon County

Michigan · MI

#67 in Michigan
65
County Score

County Report Card

About Muskegon County, Michigan

Muskegon ranks 33% above national baseline

Muskegon County's composite score of 66.7 comfortably surpasses the national median of 50.0, confirming its status as a more-than-average livable American county. This respectable national position reflects solid affordability despite slightly higher tax burdens.

Slightly below Michigan's state median

Muskegon's 66.7 score sits just below Michigan's state average of 68.7, placing it in the middle tier among Michigan counties. It ranks among the lower performers in this eight-county cohort.

Cost of living remains competitive

Muskegon offers reasonable housing affordability with a cost score of 77.1, median home values of $180,900, and median rent at $960 monthly. The county provides decent value for families seeking moderate-cost living.

Taxes bite harder here than most peers

Muskegon's effective tax rate of 1.260% is the highest among these eight counties, producing the lowest tax score of 66.8. Income levels are modest at $63,495 (income score 24.8), and critical data on safety, health, and schools remains unavailable.

Suitable for budget-watchers with steady income

Muskegon appeals to families earning modest, stable incomes who prioritize affordable housing over tax minimization. Those highly sensitive to tax burden should consider neighboring counties with lower effective rates.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax66.8Cost77.1SafetyComing SoonHealth72.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.8Risk29.9WaterComing Soon
🏛66.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡29.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Muskegon County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Navajo County
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Adams County
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Median income: $64,962
Massac County
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Deep Dives

Muskegon County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Muskegon County

via TaxByCounty

Muskegon taxes exceed national average

Muskegon's effective tax rate of 1.260% ranks in the top 25% nationally, notably higher than the national median of 1.099%. The median annual property tax of $2,280 approaches the national median of $2,690, signaling above-average burden despite lower-than-national home values.

Among Michigan's highest-tax counties

Muskegon's 1.260% effective rate substantially exceeds Michigan's average of 1.166%, ranking it in the top 15% statewide. This premium reflects local funding decisions that prioritize schools and services over tax relief.

Highest-taxed in its regional cluster

Muskegon's 1.260% rate tops every comparable county in the area, including Oakland (1.324%) when controlling for home values. Among west-central Michigan counties, Muskegon residents carry the heaviest proportional tax load.

What $180,900 home costs annually

A Muskegon homeowner with a median-valued property pays roughly $2,280 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related assessments, that figure rises to approximately $2,364 per year.

Review your assessment closely

With higher-than-average tax rates in Muskegon, it becomes even more important to verify your assessment is accurate. If your property value was recently raised, request a reassessment review from the county to ensure it reflects current market conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Muskegon County

via CostByCounty

Muskegon exceeds national affordability stress

Muskegon residents spend 18.1% of income on rent, exceeding the national average of 16.3% while earning $11,260 less than U.S. median households. This combination signals above-average housing cost pressure relative to earning power in the county.

Above Michigan's affordability threshold

Muskegon's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio trails the state average of 16.3%, placing it in the less affordable tier of Michigan's 83 counties. While not among the state's most pressured markets, Muskegon residents face noticeably tighter housing-cost burdens than typical Michigan households.

Mid-range costs, higher stress

Muskegon's $960 monthly rent falls between Missaukee ($838) and Monroe ($1,017), yet its 18.1% burden exceeds most neighbors due to a $63,495 income that lags the region. Homeownership at $917 monthly is regionally competitive, but rental affordability remains the county's weak point.

Rent strains household finances

At $63,495 median income, Muskegon renters allocate $960 monthly (18.1%) to housing, significantly above the efficient 16% range seen in better-performing counties. Homeowners fare better at $917 (17.4%), suggesting that ownership offers relative relief from the rental cost pressure felt here.

Evaluate income stability before moving

Muskegon's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio suggests moderate affordability stress compared to Michigan and national standards, making it suitable primarily for those with stable, above-median incomes. If you're relocating to Muskegon, ensure your salary places you well above the county's $63,495 median to avoid housing burden.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Muskegon County

via IncomeByCounty

Muskegon below national income levels

Muskegon County's median household income of $63,495 sits about $11,260 below the national median of $74,755. This 15% gap places Muskegon in the lower-middle income range nationally.

Below Michigan's county median income

At $63,495, Muskegon County trails Michigan's county average of $64,304 by roughly $800. The county ranks in the lower half of Michigan's 83 counties by household income, slightly underperforming the state baseline.

Among lower earners in west Michigan

Muskegon's median income of $63,495 falls below Newaygo ($61,931), Montcalm ($64,892), and Missaukee ($61,868) counties. Only Montmorency County to the north lags further behind in the broader region.

Housing costs rise above county average

Muskegon's rent-to-income ratio of 18.1% exceeds most other counties in the comparison, consuming nearly one-fifth of median household income. While still below the 30% affordability threshold, housing costs are rising faster than in neighboring counties.

Strategic budgeting unlocks savings potential

With housing consuming 18% of income, Muskegon residents have room to build savings if they budget deliberately. Automating savings deposits and exploring employer retirement matches can help residents accumulate wealth despite modest income levels.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Muskegon County

via HealthByCounty

Muskegon's health lags national average

At 75.1 years, Muskegon County's life expectancy falls 1.3 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years, indicating health challenges beyond typical for American counties. The 19.2% poor/fair health rate ranks above the national average of 18%, reflecting a higher burden of reported poor health among residents.

Among Michigan's lowest life expectancies

Muskegon's 75.1-year life expectancy ranks 1.2 years below Michigan's state average of 76.3 years, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. At 5.1% uninsured, Muskegon is actually slightly below Michigan's 6.4% state average for uninsured rates, suggesting coverage is less the barrier than health outcomes.

Better provider access, worse outcomes

Muskegon offers 56 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 270 mental health providers per 100,000, both above state averages and neighboring rural counties. Yet its life expectancy and poor/fair health rates are worse than most peers, suggesting socioeconomic factors and chronic disease prevalence drive the county's health gap.

Access exists, but health barriers remain

Muskegon's relatively low 5.1% uninsured rate means most residents have financial access to providers, but nearly 1 in 5 report poor or fair health. This disconnect suggests that factors like poverty, chronic disease, substance use, or limited health literacy are constraining health outcomes despite adequate provider availability.

Insurance covers you; take the next step

Most Muskegon residents already have insurance, but if you don't, enrolling at Healthcare.gov removes a major barrier to care. Once covered, schedule preventive appointments and chronic disease management visits—they're the foundation of better health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Muskegon County

via RiskByCounty

Muskegon faces above-average disaster risk

Muskegon County's composite risk score of 70.10 significantly exceeds the national average, earning a "Relatively Low" rating that reflects meaningful but manageable hazard exposure. The county's risk is 41% higher than the typical U.S. county, indicating substantial natural disaster vulnerability.

Among Michigan's highest-risk counties

Muskegon's 70.10 score ranks it among Michigan's most hazardous communities, sitting 41% above the state average of 49.56. Only Monroe County (82.47) and Oakland County (97.52) face significantly higher composite risk in Michigan.

Significantly riskier than nearby areas

Muskegon's 70.10 score substantially exceeds neighboring Newaygo County (47.07) and Montcalm County (56.87), making it a clear hazard hotspot in west Michigan. Only the high-risk counties to the south and east present comparable exposure levels.

Tornadoes and floods are critical threats

Tornado risk of 80.41 and flood risk of 77.74 dominate Muskegon's hazard profile, creating dual exposure to severe wind and water damage. These two hazards account for the bulk of the county's elevated composite score and pose the greatest threat to residents.

Comprehensive insurance is non-negotiable

Muskegon County homeowners must prioritize both flood insurance and tornado/wind coverage riders, as these are the county's most significant natural disaster threats. Review your property's flood zone status immediately and ensure your policy's coverage limits match your home's replacement value.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.