The Muskegon metro is home to 175,378 people (up 1.3% over five years), with a median household income of $63,495. Typical rent of $1,288/month works out to 24.3% of the median household income — comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Muskegon's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 25.9% |
| Education & health care | 20.7% |
| Retail trade | 11.0% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 9.6% |
| Professional & management | 7.7% |
Manufacturing is the metro's largest employment base; a diversified mix beneath it spreads tenant-demand risk.
Rents at 24.3% of median income leave room for rent growth without pricing out the median tenant. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Muskegon market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,288/month suggests a household income around $52,000/year. The metro's median household income is $63,495.
By workforce share: Manufacturing (25.9%), Education & health care (20.7%), Retail trade (11.0%) (Census ACS 5-year).