The story
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.
Prior to 1859, the majority of Muskegon County was part of Ottawa County (the Southern three quarters). Grand Haven served as the County Seat of this combined County, and still serves as the Ottawa County seat today.
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". See List of Michigan county name etymologies.
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 175,824. The median age was 40.4 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.2 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 76.1% White, 13.6% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.9% from some other race, and 7.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.8% of the population.
74.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 26.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 68,610 households in the county, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 44.4% were married-couple households, 18.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 74,591 housing units, of which 8.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.1% were owner-occupied and 24.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.7%.
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2010 census
As of the 2010 United States census, 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).
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 170,200 people, 63,330 households, and 44,267 families living in the county. The population density was 334 inhabitants 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.
Historical markers
There are twenty-three recognized historical markers in the county: 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
From Wikipedia’s article on Muskegon County, Michigan, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4