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Muskegon is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 40,105. The city is the county seat of Muskegon County, Michigan6. The city is located at the southwest corner of Muskegon Township, but is politically independent.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 46.7 km² (18.0 mi²). 37.2 km² (14.4 mi²) of it is land and 9.5 km² (3.7 mi²) of it (20.37%) is water. The city is adjacent to two bodies of water: Lake Michigan to the west and Muskegon Lake to the north. The Muskegon River empties into Muskegon Lake at the city's north end.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 40,105 people, 14,569 households, and 8,537 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,079.1/km² (2,794.5/mi²). There were 15,999 housing units at an average density of 430.5/km² (1,114.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 60.61% White, 31.67% African American, 1.04% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.69% from other races, and 3.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.38% of the population.

There were 14,569 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 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 non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 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 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 109.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,929, and the median income for a family was $32,640. Males had a median income of $29,114 versus $22,197 for females. The per capita income for 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 age 65 or over.

Education

Muskegon Public Schools was founded in 1860 and serves students from preschool through 12th grade. Additionally, it runs the Muskegon Museum of Art and the Muskegon Training and Education Center.

Muskegon is also home to Muskegon Community College and Baker College.

Grand Valley State University's Muskegon Campus is home to the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center MAREC and Annis Water Resources Institute inside the Lake Michigan Center located in downtown Muskegon.

Western Michigan University, Ferris State University, and Grand Valley State University all operate programs out of the Stevenson Center for Higher Education on the campus of Muskegon Community College. It is designed so that an undergrad at MCC may transfer to any of the above schools and complete a bachelors and/or masters degree without having to leave Muskegon.

Culture

Muskegon Summer Celebration (late June/early July), is a ten-day festival, held during the July 4th holiday every year, that brings national music acts of all backgrounds to the shore of Muskegon Lake at Heritage Landing. Also included is the Muskegon Art Fair, street fair, Village Craft Market, and the carnival rides.

Each summer, the Muskegon County Airport plays host to the Muskegon Air Fair, one of the largest and most popular air shows in the Midwest.

The Muskegon Film Festival is held in February.

In September, The Michigan Irish Music Festival brings renown Celtic musicians to Heritage Landing on the shore of Muskegon Lake. In addition to music, Irish food, beverages, merchandise and cultural exhibits contribute to the appeal of this event. The Michigan Feis (Irish Dance competition) is affiliated and is held at The LC Walker Arena nearby.

Broadway at the Frauenthal (Fall through Spring), brings big-time Broadway musicals to Muskegon. Muskegon is also home to Muskegon Museum of Art and West Shore Symphony Orchestra. The Muskegon Community Concert Association provides concerts from September through May.

The Lakes Mall Is a popular shopping center for the area. It is anchored by Sears and JC Penney and provides popular retail chains like Gap, Aéropostale, Victoria's Secret and American Eagle to name a few.

Muskegon County Museum and Hackley & Hume Historic Site: Mansions built by Muskegon’s lumber barons themselves are restored to their old glory and open to the public. The mansions are operated with the Muskegon County Museum, which details the grand, rich 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. Also includes science and nature exhibits.

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

Muskegon is also the home of the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum, which features the USS Silversides, a World War II submarine; the USS LST 393, a World War II amphibious landing ship; and the USCGC McLane, a Prohibition-era U.S. Coast Guard cutter.

Each August, the Unity Christian Music Festival takes place at Heritage Landing. In May, Rock the Coast takes place at Michigan's Adventure. Both are organized by Alive on the Lakeshore.

Muskegon has a growing Hispanic population and currently has church services offered in Spanish.

The city is often nicknamed "Port City", a reference more to the city's past than its present.

Media

Muskegon's leading newspaper is The Muskegon Chronicle The Chronicle is a daily newspaper in Muskegon, Michigan owned by Booth newspapers. It started publication in the early to mid 1800's.

Muskegon is served by local television and radio. WMKG-LP is a low-powered television station serving the area. This station features a homey mix of programming such as television bingo and Dial A Bargain. The Dial A Bargain show includes a hosting reading menus from various local eateries. Then viewers are allowed to call in and purchase certificates for that particular establishment at 50% off of the regular price. The major affiliated tv stations are in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Kalamazoo, Michigan. There are numerous radio stations in and around Muskegon. Local radio talk shows include the Ramona show on WKBZ 1090 am. On this show the host interviews local small business people. A once-a-week, Friday afternoon show on the same station is called Talking Muskegon. Talking Muskegon is hosted by local celebrity Jon Van Wyke. It features homey conversations about area nightlife, his work life and volunteer activities he is involved with around town. In addition, he will talk about conditions back stage at Summer Celebration, his sailboat and the state of professional hockey team the Muskegon Fury. Usually the show is co-hosted with two of his friends.

Sports

Muskegon has a long history of involvement in professional and nonprofessional sports.

Logo Club Sport League Venue Championships
Muskegon Fury Ice Hockey United Hockey League L.C. Walker Arena Colonial Cup: 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005
Muskegon Thunder Arena Football Great Lakes Indoor Football League L.C. Walker Arena

Previous sports teams to play in Muskegon have included:

Club Sport Played from League Stadium
Michigan Mayhem Basketball 2004-2006 CBA L.C. Walker Arena
Muskegon Lumberjacks Hockey 1984-1992 IHL L.C. Walker Arena
Muskegon Mohawks Hockey 1965-1984 IHL L.C. Walker Arena
Muskegon Zephyrs Hockey 1960-1965 IHL L.C. Walker Arena
Muskegon Lassies Baseball 1946-1949 AAGPBL Marsh Field

The Chronicle Seaway Run is run every year in late June. It features a 15k race, 5k race, 5k walk for fun, 15k wheelchair race.

Transportation

Public transportation is provided by Muskegon Trolley Company Two routes cover north side, south side, and downtown; each trolley stops at 11 locations, including Hackley and Hume Historic Site, USS Silversides, Muskegon State Park. (Memorial Day-Labor Day, daily; no trips during special events)

Commercial air service is provided by Muskegon County Airport (MKG).

Muskegon is the Eastern port of the Lake Express High Speed Car Ferry that crosses Lake Michigan to Milwaukee, Wisconsin offering three roundtrips a day in the Summer, and two roundtrips in the Fall. There are many bike paths starting to be built around the area.

Several major highways serve the city, including:

Sister Cities

Notable current/former residents

External links

References

  • Muskegon Public Schools. http://www.muskegon.k12.mi.us/. Retrieved July 1, 2005.

Cities in Michigan | Muskegon County, Michigan | County seats in Michigan | Muskegon, Michigan | Muskegon

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Muskegon, Michigan".

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