Muskegon County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Elevated · 57.9 | 176,564 people · 9th most distressed in Michigan
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Muskegon County, MI registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 57.9 — 1084th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Michigan, it ranks 9th of 83 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Muskegon County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 70.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 70.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 78
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 83
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 72
Homeownership Rate 27
Economic Vitality 64.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 70
Rent-to-Income Ratio 76
Business Formation Rate 57
House Price Change (YoY) 20
Structural Poverty 53.9
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 54
Income vs. State Median 46
Child Poverty Rate 42
Disability Rate 37
Transfer Income Dependency 64
Consumer Credit Distress 53.6
Debt in Collections 63
Medical Debt 28
Auto Loan Delinquency 70
Credit Card Delinquency 58
Uninsured Rate 15
Subprime Credit Population 57
Legal Distress 44.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 45

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Muskegon County
Muskegon County, MI 57.9 Elevated —
Milwaukee County, WI 67.6 Serious +9.7
Newaygo County, MI 43.9 Normal -14.0
Kent County, MI 43.5 Normal -14.4
Oceana County, MI 34.3 Healthy -23.6
Ottawa County, MI 32.8 Healthy -25.1
Ozaukee County, WI 21.3 Healthy -36.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Muskegon County
Berkeley County, WV 57.9 Elevated -0.0
Hawkins County, TN 57.9 Elevated +0.0
Washington County, TN 57.9 Elevated -0.0
Lee County, NC 57.8 Elevated -0.1
Hardin County, KY 58.0 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Muskegon County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Muskegon County

Find an Attorney

State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-968-0738

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Muskegon County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid & Defender Association of Detroit 313-967-5555
Michigan Legal Help / Wolverine Legal Aid
Neighborhood Legal Services of Michigan 248-548-3838
Michigan Advocacy Program 616-774-0672
Legal Services of South Central Michigan 734-665-6181
Lakeshore Legal Aid (888) 783-8190
Legal Aid of Western Michigan (616) 774-0672
Legal Services of Eastern Michigan (800) 322-4512
Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Inc. (906) 786-2303

Self-Help Resources

Michigan Legal Help — Foreclosure Self-help guides and interactive tools for Michigan foreclosure process and defenses
MSHDA Homeowner Resources Assistance programs, counselor referrals, and MIHAF information

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Michigan →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Muskegon County, Michigan?

    Muskegon County has a County Distress Index score of 57.9 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,084th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 9th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Muskegon County?

    The primary driver of distress in Muskegon County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 70.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Muskegon County compare to neighboring counties?

    Muskegon County (57.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Milwaukee County, WI (67.6); Newaygo County, MI (43.9); Kent County, MI (43.5).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Elevated zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Muskegon County's score of 57.9 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power Muskegon County's CDI score?

    Muskegon County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Muskegon County?

    Muskegon County, Michigan has a population of approximately 176,564 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.