Photo: bigmikesndtech · CC BY 2.0On CDC estimates, Muskegon is healthier than 4% of U.S. towns
Muskegon differs from Michigan on 23 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 22 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Muskegon. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Muskegon
Dental care lags in Muskegon
53.5% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 68% across Michigan. Among those 65 and older, 21.7% have lost all their teeth (Michigan 10.2%). Checkups ↓
Muskegon is in the bottom 4% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Muskegon is healthier than only 4% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Muskegon
3 in 10 adults worry about having enough food (28.7%), about twice the Michigan rate. Utility shut-off threats (17.3% vs 8.7%) and housing insecurity (21.6% vs 11.9%) are higher too. 31.3% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14.3% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Health varies a lot right around Muskegon
Grades next door run from North Muskegon (A−) to Muskegon Heights (D−). Muskegon is a D−. Around town ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Michigan figure falls outside Muskegon’s likely range.
What’s behind Muskegon’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Muskegon is healthier than 4% of U.S. towns, #682 of 701 in Michigan. All seven of Muskegon’s estimates fall in the lowest 12% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is obesity: 49.9% of adults, against 36.2% across Michigan and 32.9% nationally.
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Muskegon’s median household income is $44,735; among the 3,898 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($34K–$56K), it’s healthier than 14%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Keeping up with care
Share of Muskegon adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Michigan.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
31.3% of Muskegon adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.3% across Michigan.
Muskegon and the towns around it
Muskegon’s Health Grade ranks 6th of 7 graded towns around it.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskegon | D− | 49.9% | 15.6% | 22.1% | CDC place |
| Muskegon Township | C− | 45.2% | 13.1% | 18.7% | ZIP codes |
| North Muskegon | A− | 38.1% | 10.5% | 11% | CDC place |
| Muskegon Heights | D− | 58.8% | 22.3% | 27.9% | CDC place |
| Norton Shores | B | 40.6% | 11.5% | 13.8% | CDC place |
| Fruitport Township | C | 42.8% | 13% | 16.7% | ZIP codes |
| Laketon Township | B− | 41.1% | 11.5% | 14.4% | ZIP 49445 |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Out of every 100 Muskegon adults…
Muskegon runs below MI on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 7. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Muskegon
1 community health center in Muskegon, plus the nearest just outside it.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Muskegon; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Everyday habits, side by side with Michigan
Share of adults, with the Michigan figure marked.
23 miles of trails across 26 parks and preserves
How Muskegon adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Muskegon runs above Michigan.
1 in 3 Muskegon adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Muskegon adults live with a disability (Michigan 31.1%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Muskegon
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Muskegon is better than Michigan on 1 and worse on 22; on the rest, the Michigan figure falls inside Muskegon’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Muskegon | MI | U.S. | vs MI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 28.3%25.5–31.3 | 19.4% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.1%15.3–19 | 14% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.8%18.7–23.1 | 17.6% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 49.9%43.8–56.4 | 36.2% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 15.6%13.9–17.6 | 11.9% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 40.4%36.7–44.2 | 36.7% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 34.5%30.8–38.3 | 35.4% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 30.1%27.2–33.2 | 29.1% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 13%11.6–14.5 | 11.5% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 7.2%6.5–7.9 | 8.9% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 7.9%7.1–8.6 | 7% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.7%9.6–11.7 | 8.1% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4.7%4.3–5.1 | 3.7% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 21.7%18.1–25.7 | 10.2% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 22.1%19.6–24.7 | 14.6% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 34.6%30.3–39.1 | 24.9% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 15.4%12.9–18.4 | 15.9% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 43.4%37.7–49.2 | 34.7% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 11.3%9.8–13 | 6.9% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 79.1%75.8–82.2 | 80.3% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 53.5%49.8–57.3 | 68% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 83.3%81.4–85.2 | 87.4% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 75.5%72.8–78.3 | 77.6% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 62.4%57.6–67 | 69% | 65.5% | Worse |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 74.4%67–80.9 | 76.9% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 27.1%23.7–30.8 | 25.7% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 35%30.4–40 | 32.4% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 27.3%23.8–31.3 | 23.1% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 28.7%25.7–31.9 | 15.4% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 21.6%19.2–24.3 | 11.9% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 17.3%15.4–19.4 | 8.7% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 14.8%13.3–16.6 | 8.3% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 31.3%28.4–34.5 | 14.3% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 39%35–43.2 | 31.1% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 18.6%16.6–20.7 | 14% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 19.2%17.2–21.1 | 14.3% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.6%6.8–8.5 | 7.3% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 8.1%7.4–8.8 | 4.9% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 12.6%11.4–13.9 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.3%5.7–6.8 | 3.8% | 3.8% | Higher |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the Michigan figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Muskegon
Is Muskegon a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Muskegon is healthier than 4% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #682 of 701 in Michigan. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 14%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Muskegon?
CDC estimates 49.9% of adults have obesity, likely between 43.8% and 56.4%, against 36.2% across Michigan and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Muskegon?
Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital in Muskegon, 3.3 miles in a straight line from Muskegon’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Muskegon have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 11.3% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 9.8–13%), against 6.9% across Michigan.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Muskegon more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to D.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Muskegon.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Michigan figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.