Muskegon Heights is a city in Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan . The population was 9,985 at the 2020 census .
58-452: The city is in southwestern Muskegon County, bordered to the north by Muskegon and to the south by the city of Norton Shores , with a small area of unincorporated Muskegon Township on the east side. The city of Roosevelt Park is a very short distance to the west. U.S. Route 31 runs along the western border of the city as Seaway Drive. The highway leads north into downtown Muskegon and south 31 miles (50 km) to Holland . Grand Rapids
116-531: A Superior Court and Sheriff (as an officer of the court ), both located in a designated "shire town". Bennington County, Vermont has two shire towns; the court for "North Shire" is in the shire town Manchester , and the Sheriff for the county and court for "South Shire" are in the shire town Bennington. In 2024, Connecticut , which had not defined their counties for anything but statistical, historical and weather warning purposes since 1960, along with ending
174-523: A county or civil parish . The term is in use in five countries: Canada , China , Hungary , Romania , and the United States . An equivalent term, shire town , is used in the U.S. state of Vermont and in several other English-speaking jurisdictions, such as Venezuela . In Canada , the provinces of Ontario , Quebec , New Brunswick , Prince Edward Island , and Nova Scotia have counties as an administrative division of government below
232-490: A humid continental climate ( Dfa ) with hot summers and cold winters. Precipitation is consistent year-round. Muskegon receives heavy lake-effect snow from Lake Michigan during winter. As of the census of 2010, 38,401 people, 13,967 households, and 7,895 families resided in the city. The population density was 2,702.4 inhabitants per square mile (1,043.4/km ). The 16,105 housing units had an average density of 1,133.4 per square mile (437.6/km ). The racial makeup of
290-870: A National Register Historic District. The mansions are operated with the Lakeshore Museum Center, which details the history of Muskegon County, from the Pottawatomi and Ottawa Native American tribes and lakeside fur traders to the Lumber Queen of the World to today. Events held in the town include: Fraternal organizations are a vibrant part of life in Western Michigan. Clubs with active memberships include: Previous sports teams to play in Muskegon have included: The Seaway Run
348-488: A World War II submarine; USS LST-393 , a World War II tank landing ship ; and USCGC McLane , a Prohibition-era United States Coast Guard cutter. In addition, Muskegon also berths 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
406-483: A bike trail. Muskegon State Park has a Winter Sports Complex that features ice fishing , cross-country skiing , ice skating , and a luge track. P.J. Hoffmaster State Park has many sand dunes as well as two campgrounds and a public beach. Michigan's Adventure , the largest amusement park in the state, is in Muskegon County , a few miles north of the city of Muskegon. Michigan's Adventure features
464-684: A classic hits format. The station is based out of nearby Roosevelt Park. Other local FM stations include 90.3 WBLV -FM (classical/jazz/NPR), 91.7 WMCQ -FM (religious), WWSN FM 92.5 (adult contemporary), WGVS-FM 95.3 (public radio), WLAW-FM FM 97.5 (country), WLCS -FM 98.3 (oldies), WVIB -FM 100.1 (urban contemporary), WMRR -FM 101.7 (classic rock), WSNX -FM 104.5 (top 40, studios in Grand Rapids), WOOD-FM -FM 106.9 (news/talk, simulcast of WOOD-AM 1300/Grand Rapids), and WMUS FM 107.9 (country). Other local AM stations aside from WKBZ include WSMZ 850, WLAW 1490 (country). Public transportation
522-410: A county seat may be an independent city surrounded by, but not part of, the county of which it is the administrative center; for example, Fairfax City is both the county seat of Fairfax County, Virginia and completely surrounded by Fairfax County, but the city is politically independent of the county. When the county seat is in the independent city, government offices such as the courthouse may be in
580-514: A day in the summer, and two roundtrips in the fall. Several major highways serve the city, including: Interstates U.S. Highways Other state highways CSX Transportation , along with the Michigan Shore Railway, provide rail service for many of Muskegon's industries. Rail passenger services ended in the 1960s. The nearest passenger rail available is via Amtrak in nearby Holland or Grand Rapids. Until 1971,
638-508: A family was $ 26,144. Males had a median income of $ 30,027 versus $ 22,768 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 12,456. About 25.7% of families and 29.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 41.8% of those under age 18 and 17.0% of those age 65 or over. 43°12′04″N 86°14′20″W / 43.20111°N 86.23889°W / 43.20111; -86.23889 Muskegon, Michigan Muskegon ( / m ə ˈ s k iː ɡ ən / mə- SKEE -gən )
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#1732779806805696-471: A lumbering village in 1862 in Laketon Township . It had its own post office from 1868 until 1892. Muskegon annexed it in 1889. Muskegon is in western Muskegon County, on the south side of Muskegon Lake , a harbor of Lake Michigan . The city is bordered to the north, across Muskegon Lake, by the city of North Muskegon and Laketon Township . It is bordered to the east by Muskegon Township , to
754-509: A male householder with no wife present, and 32.9% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.23. The median age in the city was 30.3 years. 32.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.4% were from 25 to 44; 22.6% were from 45 to 64; and 9.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of
812-505: A midway with roller coasters, other rides, amusements, and a full water park. Muskegon Country Club was founded in 1908 and features a course design by Tom Bendelow and a course redesign by Donald Ross . The city operates under a Commission-Manager form of local government. A seven-member city commission, comprising a mayor and six commissioners, serves as the legislative and executive branch. Four commissioners are elected from wards, while two commissioners are elected at large. The mayor
870-477: Is 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, predominately in the downtown area. Lakeshore Museum Center and Hackley & Hume Historic Site, built by Muskegon's lumber barons , are restored and open to the public. The Hackley & Hume mansions are part of downtown Muskegon's Heritage Village—two blocks from Muskegon Lake, and
928-469: Is 38 miles (61 km) to the southeast. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , Muskegon Heights has a total area of 3.19 square miles (8.26 km), all land. As of the census of 2010, there were 10,856 people, 3,996 households, and 2,682 families living in the city. The population density was 3,403.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,313.9/km). There were 4,842 housing units at an average density of 1,517.9 per square mile (586.1/km). The racial makeup of
986-568: Is a city in and the county seat of Muskegon County, Michigan , United States. Situated around a harbor of Lake Michigan , Muskegon is known for fishing, sailing regattas , and boating. It is the most populous city along Lake Michigan's eastern shore. At the 2020 census , the city's population was 38,318. The city is administratively autonomous from adjacent Muskegon Township , and several locations in Muskegon Township and other surrounding townships have Muskegon addresses. Muskegon
1044-544: Is also elected at large and serves as chairman of the commission. The city commission hires a city manager to manage the daily operations of the city. Muskegon Public Schools was founded in 1860 and serves students from preschool through grade 12. Additionally, it runs the Muskegon Training and Education Center. Muskegon is also served by these private K-12 schools: Muskegon Catholic Central, Fruitport Calvary Christian, and Western Michigan Christian . Muskegon
1102-593: Is also served by Muskegon Community College and Baker College . Western Michigan University , Ferris State University , and Grand Valley State University all operate programs out of the Stevenson Center for Higher Education on the Muskegon Community College campus. Muskegon's leading newspaper is The Muskegon Chronicle . The Chronicle is a daily newspaper owned by Booth Newspapers . It started publication in 1857. Muskegon
1160-633: Is currently provided by Denver Air Connection operating regional jet flights at Muskegon County Airport (MKG), with nonstop service to Chicago O'Hare Airport . Other airlines provide passenger service via the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids . Muskegon is the eastern port of the Lake Express High-Speed Car Ferry that crosses Lake Michigan to Milwaukee , Wisconsin offering three roundtrips
1218-409: Is known as the seat of its county. Generally, the county legislature, county courthouse, sheriff's department headquarters, hall of records, jail and correctional facility are located in the county seat, though some functions (such as highway maintenance, which usually requires a large garage for vehicles, along with asphalt and salt storage facilities) may also be located or conducted in other parts of
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#17327798068051276-705: Is provided by the Muskegon Area Transit System (MATS – "The Shore Line"), which operates nine bus routes, three trolley routes, and a paratransit system. MATS serves the Herman Ivory Passenger Terminal. MATS operates the Muskegon Trolley Company. Three routes cover the north side, south side, and downtown; each trolley stops at 11 locations, including Hackley and Hume Historic Site, USS Silversides, and Muskegon State Park. Commercial air service
1334-461: Is run every year in late June. It features a 15k race, 5k race, 5k walk for fun, 15k wheelchair race. Pere Marquette Beach is the largest free public beach on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan . Windsurfing , kite boarding competitions, and professional volleyball tournaments are held there. Its quartz sand beach is expansive and bordered by large sand dunes. The beach area is popular with cyclists, runners, and hikers, and families. It faces to
1392-534: Is served by the local television station WMKG-CD . The Muskegon area is also served by several radio stations. WUVS-LP 103.7 is a popular urban (hip-hop/R&B) and gospel station with local programming as well as Sunday religious programming and local-based talk. Another local low-powered FM station is WUGM-LP 106.1, owned by the Muskegon Training and Education Center, which airs an Urban Oldies format dubbed "M-TEC 106 FM, Rock 'n' Soul." A Newer LP-FM Station WFFR-LP 100.9 also offers local programming along with
1450-454: Is the center of the Muskegon metropolitan statistical area , which is coextensive with Muskegon County and had a population of 175,824 as of the 2020 census. It is also part of the larger Grand Rapids - Kentwood -Muskegon- combined statistical area . The name "Muskegon" is derived from the Ottawa mashkiigong , meaning "marshy river or swamp". The "Masquigon" River ( Muskegon River )
1508-815: The Chesapeake & Ohio Railway (successor to the Pere Marquette Railway ) operated day and night trains from Union Station to Holland and Chicago . The Grand Trunk Western and the Pennsylvania Railroad had earlier operated passenger trains out of another Muskegon station to various points in Michigan. In 1937, the Grand Trunk Western began operating ferries that met up with train and carried passengers and automobiles across Lake Michigan to Milwaukee. Earlier,
1566-490: The Trinity Health Arena . The Muskegon Farmer's Market welcomes more than 10,000 visitors every Saturday in the summer, and the boutique incubator shops and chalets on Western Avenue are a popular attraction for residents and tourists looking to support small businesses. Muskegon is home to several historical war ships and vessels. The USS Silversides Submarine Museum which features USS Silversides ,
1624-402: 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 all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42, and the average family size was 3.13. In the city,
1682-513: The GTW had operated the ferries out of Grand Haven . The GTW stopped operating the ferries in 1978. The last remaining ferries across the lake would be the ones launching from Ludington, Michigan until the Lake Express first came into service on June 1, 2004. Business and politics County seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government , or capital city of
1740-947: The United States, followed by Towson , the county seat of Baltimore County, Maryland . Likewise, some county seats may not be incorporated in their own right, but are located within incorporated municipalities. For example, Cape May Court House, New Jersey , though unincorporated, is a section of Middle Township , an incorporated municipality. In some states, often those that were among the original Thirteen Colonies , county seats include or formerly included "Court House" as part of their name, such as Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia . Most counties have only one county seat. However, some counties in Alabama , Arkansas , Georgia , Iowa , Kentucky , Massachusetts , Mississippi , Missouri , New Hampshire , New York , and Vermont have two or more county seats, usually located on opposite sides of
1798-453: The age distribution was 25.8% under 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.6 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 110.3 males. The city's median income for a household was $ 27,929, and for a family was $ 32,640. Males had a median income of $ 29,114 versus $ 22,197 for females. The per capita income for
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1856-409: The average family size was 3.28. In the city, 35.2% were under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.5 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 21,778, and the median income for
1914-402: The beginning of the exploitation of the area's extensive timber resources. The explosion of the lumber industry in 1837 inaugurated what some regard as the most romantic era in the history of the region. Lumbering in the mid-19th century brought many settlers, particularly from Germany , Netherlands , and Sweden . Some Muskegon neighborhoods began as separate villages. Bluffton was founded as
1972-435: The city was $ 14,283. About 16.8% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the poverty line , including 27.6% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those 65 or over. Downtown Muskegon serves as the hub for much of Muskegon County. Positioned along the southern shoreline of Muskegon Lake, it stretches for nearly two miles. Downtown is home to a number of hotels, a 25,000-square-foot convention center completed in 2021, and
2030-431: The city was 16.0% White , 78.3% African American , 0.3% Native American , 0.1% Asian , 1.4% from other races , and 3.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 4.2% of the population. There were 3,996 households, of which 42.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 20.2% were married couples living together, 40.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.0% had
2088-570: The city was 46.3% male and 53.7% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 12,049 people, 4,507 households, and 2,970 families living in the city. The population density was 3,804.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,468.8/km). There were 5,108 housing units at an average density of 1,612.7/sq. mi. (622.1/km). The racial makeup of the city was 17.69% White , 77.77% African American , 0.45% Native American , 0.25% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 1.63% from other races , and 2.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.52% of
2146-552: The city 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. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 8.2% of the population. 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, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.5% were not families. About 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who
2204-579: The city's northeast end. In May 2022, local environmental groups announced cleanup efforts along Muskegon Lake officially have been completed, leading the Environmental Protection Agency to begin its study to remove Muskegon Lake from the EPA's list of "Areas of Concern", which was expected to be finalized by the end of 2022 and promised additional new economic activity in the downtown and nearby lakefront neighborhoods. Muskegon has
2262-411: The city. The population density was 2,794.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,079.0/km ). The 15,999 housing units had an average density of 1,114.8/sq mi (430.4/km ). The racial makeup of the city 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. Hispanic or Latino people of any origins were 6.4% of the population. Of
2320-526: The counties after his unification, there were about 1,000. Under the Eastern Han dynasty , the number of counties increased to above 1,000. About 1400 existed when the Sui dynasty abolished the commandery level (郡 jùn), which was the level just above counties, and demoted some commanderies to counties. In Imperial China, the county was a significant administrative unit because it marked the lowest level of
2378-418: The county, especially if it is geographically large. A county seat is usually an incorporated municipality . The exceptions include the county seats of counties that have no incorporated municipalities within their borders, such as Arlington County, Virginia , where the county seat is the entire county. Ellicott City , the county seat of Howard County, Maryland , is the largest unincorporated county seat in
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2436-420: The county. Examples include Harrison County, Mississippi , which has both Biloxi and Gulfport as county seats, and Hinds County, Mississippi , which has both Raymond and the state capital of Jackson . The practice of multiple county seat towns dates from the days when travel was difficult. There have been few efforts to eliminate the two-seat arrangement, since a county seat is a source of civic pride for
2494-424: The imperial bureaucratic structure; in other words, it was the lowest level that the government reached. Government below the county level was often undertaken through informal non-bureaucratic means, varying between dynasties. The head of a county was the magistrate , who oversaw both the day-to-day operations of the county as well as civil and criminal cases. The current number of counties mostly resembled that of
2552-585: The increase of Han Chinese population in Taiwan, the number of counties also grew by time. By the end of Qing era, there were 11 counties in Taiwan. Protestant missionaries in China first romanized the term as hien . When Taiwan became a Japanese colony in 1895, the hierarchy of divisions also incorporated into the Japanese system in the period when Taiwan was under Japanese rule. By September 1945, Taiwan
2610-625: The independent city under an agreement, such as in Albemarle , or may in be enclaves of the county surrounded by the independent city, such as in Fairfax . Others, such as Prince William , have the courthouse in an enclave surrounded by the independent city and have the county government, the Board of Supervisors, in a different part of the county, far from the county seat. The following counties have their county seat in an independent city: Bedford
2668-758: The later years of the Qing dynasty . Changes of location and names of counties in Chinese history have been a major field of research in Chinese historical geography, especially from the 1960s to the 1980s. There are 1,355 counties in Mainland China out of a total of 2,851 county-level divisions. In Taiwan , the first counties were first established in 1661 by the Kingdom of Tungning . The later ruler Qing empire inherited this type of administrative divisions. With
2726-409: The population. There were 4,507 households, out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 25.0% were married couples living together, 35.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and
2784-775: The provincial level, and thus county seats. In the provinces of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia the term "shire town" is used in place of county seat. County seats in China are the administrative centers of the counties in the People's Republic of China . Xian have existed since the Warring States period and were set up nationwide by the Qin dynasty . The number of counties in China proper gradually increased from dynasty to dynasty. As Qin Shi Huang reorganized
2842-556: The smaller Beardsley Theater in the adjoining Hilt Building. It was refurbished in 1998 and again in 2021, and hosts JAM Theatrical productions, Muskegon Civic Theatre productions, and is home of the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra . The Frauenthal was originally built as the Michigan Theater in 1929. The Muskegon Museum of Art opened in 1912. Among the highlights of its permanent collection
2900-539: The southeast by Fruitport Township , to the south by the cities of Muskegon Heights , Roosevelt Park , and Norton Shores , and to the west by Lake Michigan. It 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 has an area of 18.20 square miles (47.14 km ), of which 4.05 square miles (10.49 km ), or 22.3%, are covered by water. The Muskegon River empties into Muskegon Lake at
2958-777: The state's area, has no borough government or borough seat. One borough, the Lake and Peninsula Borough , has its borough seat located in another borough, namely King Salmon in Bristol Bay Borough . In Louisiana , which is divided into parishes rather than counties, county seats are referred to as "parish seats". In New England , counties have served mainly as dividing lines for the states' judicial systems. Rhode Island has no county level of government and thus no county seats, and Massachusetts has dissolved many but not all of its county governments. In Vermont , Massachusetts , and Maine county government consists only of
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#17327798068053016-416: The towns involved, along with providing employment opportunities. There are 33 counties with multiple county seats in 11 states: Alaska is divided into boroughs rather than counties; the county seat in these case is referred to as the "borough seat"; this includes six consolidated city-borough governments (one of which is styled as a "municipality"). The Unorganized Borough, Alaska , which covers 49% of
3074-624: The use of county seats in particular, will fully transition with the permission of the United States Census Bureau to a system of councils of government for the purposes of boundary definition and as county equivalents. Two counties in South Dakota , Oglala Lakota and Todd , have their county seat and government services centered in a neighboring county. Their county-level services are provided by Fall River County and Tripp County , respectively. In Virginia ,
3132-479: The west so sunsets are remarkable. Muskegon Lakeshore Bike Trail allows for biking along the shores of Muskegon Lake to Lake Michigan, with two trails for bike paths, one on the east side of Muskegon and the other along the north side, which northerly connects to other trails, such as the Hart-Montague Bike Trail , making it possible to bike from Muskegon to Hart, Michigan , without ever leaving
3190-434: Was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38. and the average family size was 3.09. The median age in the city was 34.1 years; the age distribution was 23.3% were under 18; 12.2% from 18 and 24; 28.8% from 25 to 44; 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% were 65 or older. The city's gender makeup was 52.1% male and 47.9% female. As of the census of 2000, 40,105 people, 14,569 households, and 8,537 families were residing in
3248-574: Was Edward Fitzgerald, a fur trader and trapper who came to the Muskegon area in 1748 and who died there, reportedly being buried in the vicinity of White Lake . Between 1790 and 1800, a French-Canadian trader named Joseph La Framboise established 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, had established fur-trading posts around Muskegon Lake . Euro-American settlement of Muskegon began in earnest in 1837, which coincided with
3306-573: Was divided into 8 prefectures ( 州 and 廳 ), which remained after the Republic of China took over. There are 13 county seats in Taiwan, which function as county-administered cities , urban townships , or rural townships . In most of the United States , a county is an administrative or political subdivision of a state that consists of a geographic area with specific boundaries and usually some level of governmental authority. The city, town, or populated place that houses county government
3364-418: Was identified on French maps dating from the late 17th century, suggesting French explorers had reached Michigan's western coast by that time. Father Jacques Marquette traveled northward through the area on his fateful trip to St. Ignace in 1675, and a party of French soldiers under La Salle's lieutenant, Henry de Tonty , passed through the area in 1679. The county's earliest known Euro-American resident
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