Meijer Seaway Drive, 2008
Norton Shores’s story
56 years in pictures
Census counts: 22,271 in 1970, 25,030 in 2020. The archive holds 8 old photos and papers going back to 2005 and 2 maps from 1936 on.
- 1970Norton Shores is settled
Norton ShoresMI
A town of 25,088, settled in 1970.
Population
25,088
2025 Census estimate · +0.2% since 2020
Typical home
$296K
+3.4% in a year
Household income
$77K
median
Median age
40.6
years
Jobs based here
9,608
Balanced
TownGrade
C+
#486 of 697 in MI
Is Norton Shores a good place to live?
Norton Shores grades C+ overall, 486th among Michigan's 697 graded towns, with clear strengths and some subjects that lag. Natural-hazard risk is low and it has 38 miles of trail. On the other side, homes are expensive, about $296K for a typical one and 4.5 times the Muskegon metro’s $65K median household income. Norton Shores’ density of trails is 1.5 miles per square mile, above both Michigan’s towns (0.3) and U.S. towns (0.4). On history, just 13 of Michigan’s 1,279 towns do worse. P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, at 812 acres with 15.6 miles of trail, is the biggest park or preserve.
What makes Norton Shores stand out
Where Norton Shores beats most towns.
Natural hazardsA
Lower risk than 86% of U.S. communities
Very low risk of storm and flood damage
FEMA National Risk Index.
Mona Shores Public School District
| School | Grades | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Ross Park Elementary School | PK–5 | 450 |
| Churchill Elementary School | PK–5 | 414 |
| Lincoln Park Elementary School | PK–5 | 411 |
SchoolsB+
On state tests and graduation
NCES · EDFacts.
How Norton Shores grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Michigan), ordered by how far Norton Shores is from typical.
Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listAOpen →Cost of livingC−Open →SchoolsB+Open →SafetyCOpen →Jobs & income$77K median household income; 9,608 jobs based hereBOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 7.3 of 20; 3.5% of households have no car; 0.8% of workers walk, bike or ride transitC+Open →HealthTrinity Health Muskegon Hospital 2.6 miles awayBOpen →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Norton Shores: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Norton Shores, and how to reach them.
PowerConsumers Energy20.7¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterNorton Shores water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet5 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Norton Shores’ trash rules yet
Register to voteOnlineIn Michigan you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereNorton Shores City ClerkThe town itself; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Nov 2025
ZIP codes49441, 49444, 4945649441 73% · 49444 25% · 49456 2%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 12, 2025.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Norton Shores.
Norton Shores gets more snow than nearly all U.S. towns and trades workers with Muskegon and other neighbors.
OutdoorsA
Conserved land covers 8.6% of Norton Shores
11 parks and preserves cover 1,585 acres in Norton Shores.
#76for trails in MI
8.6%
conserved · 1,342 of 15,658 acres
38 mi
of trails · 1.5 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. P.J. Hoffmaster State Park | 15.6 mi | 812 |
| 2. Lake Harbor Park | 8.7 mi | 181 |
| 3. Dune Harbor Park | 5.3 mi | 364 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsB+
Norton Shores’ schools rank ahead of 72% of Michigan districts
Two of its 7 schools are below, each with the reason it’s listed. Its public schools are run by the Mona Shores Public School District. The largest public high school is Mona Shores High School, with 1,268 students.
72%of MI districts it outscoresB+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mona Shores Middle SchoolLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 930 | B− |
| Mona Shores High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 1,268 | B+ |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MI on state tests and graduation
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade A
Top of a very low hazard risk in Norton Shores: inland flooding
In Norton Shores, the FEMA hazard score is 14 of 100, against 25 of 100 in Michigan’s towns and 44 of 100 across U.S. towns. Federal disaster aid has reached households in Norton Shores after 4 declared disasters, most recently in 2026. FEMA puts nearly two thirds of the town’s expected hazard losses down to inland flooding, and 13% to tornadoes. This Michigan town has had 16 paid flood insurance claims since 1985.
14risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoesStrong wind
16
paid flood claims since 1985
4
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
SafetyC
Norton Shores reports more crime per resident than 69% of U.S. towns
For Norton Shores, the property offense rate is 16.9 per 1,000 residents. Norton Shores’ violent crime rate stands at 2.8 per 1,000 residents.
31%of U.S. towns report more crimeCSafety Grade
| Norton Shores | Michigan towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 16.9 per 1,000 residents | 7.8 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 2.8 per 1,000 residents | 1.9 | 1.6 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Norton Shores2.8
Michigan4.3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Norton Shores16.9
Michigan13
U.S.15.5
31st
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
33rd
percentile among MI towns
69
violent crimes reported in 2025
423
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Climate
In Norton Shores, expect snowy winters and pleasant summers
The Muskegon Co Ap weather station records that 87 inches of snow fall in a normal winter, more than in 96% of U.S. towns.
Norton Shores’ peak summer temperature comes in at 82°F.
87″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter21–34°
Spring36–56°
Summer58–80°
Fall42–60°
Oct 19
typical first frost
Apr 30
typical last frost
+1.7°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B
About one in eight working residents works right in Norton Shores
Norton Shores has about as many jobs (9,608) as working residents, but only 1,295 people both live and work here.
Norton Shores’ typical journey to work is 20 minutes. Most people who work leave Norton Shores to do it: just 13% work in town. 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line locally. The top destinations are Muskegon (20%), Grand Rapids (5%) and Grand Haven (5%).
13%work in town
| Norton Shores | Michigan towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 20 minutes | 25 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Working residents who work in town | 13% | 5.9% | 8% |
| Below the poverty line | 6.5% | 8.9% | 9.6% |
Where working residents work
In Norton Shores13%
Muskegon20%
Grand Rapids5%
Grand Haven5%
Spring Lake Township4%
8 mi
median commute distance
9,608
jobs based in Norton Shores
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
C+
Walkability grade: more walkable than 39% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2021 · ACS
HousingCost of living grade C−
Norton Shores’ grade for cost of living is a C−
The rent at the middle of the market for Norton Shores comes to $1,341 a month. The typical home value in the town is about $296,000, up 3.4% in a year, 12% above the Michigan typical home. On the market locally: a median 17 days to sell.
$296KZillow home value
| Norton Shores | Michigan towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,341 a month | $1,045 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 84% | 84% | 73% |
Typical home value
Norton Shores$296K
Michigan$264K
Market temperature
17
days on market
98.6%
sale-to-list price
+3.4%
value change, 1 year
32
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Who lives here
Norton Shores is older than the Michigan average
Norton Shores: 33% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more. People 65 and older are 23% of residents (19% statewide). In Norton Shores, the midpoint age is 40.6 years.
40.6median age · MI 40.2
| Norton Shores | Michigan towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 65 or older | 23% | 19% | 18% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 33% | 26% | 29% |
Norton ShoresMichiganUnited States
Ages · share of residents
15%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma4%
High school24%
Some college24%
Associate’s15%
Bachelor’s23%
Graduate10%
Women and men · all residents
50% women, 50% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±1.5 points. Across Michigan, 50.4% of residents are women.
| Norton Shores | MI | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 12.9% | 11.2% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 8.9% | 10.1% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 6% | 9.2% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 14.9% | 13.2% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 11.4% | 12.2% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 10.7% | 12% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 12.3% | 13.6% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 14.1% | 11.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 8.8% | 7.4% | 7% |
| No diploma | 4.3% | 7.9% | 10.4% |
| High school | 24% | 28% | 26% |
| Some college | 23.8% | 21.9% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 14.6% | 9.8% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 23.4% | 19.7% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 9.9% | 12.7% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
HealthB
Residents of Norton Shores are healthier than 55% of U.S. towns
On the CDC’s 32 measures, Norton Shores is ahead of Michigan on 4 and behind on 1. The share of adults in Norton Shores who have obesity: 41%. In Norton Shores, 30% of adults feel lonely, and 27% have been diagnosed with depression.
55%healthier than U.S. townsBHealth Grade
| Norton Shores | Michigan towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 41% | 37% | 35% |
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 30% | 32% | 33% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 27% | 27% | 23% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 18% | 17% |
32 measures vs. Michigan
4 better27 too close to call1 worse
| What stands out | Norton Shores | MI |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 11.5% | 15.4% |
| Fewer adults facing housing insecurity | 9.4% | 11.9% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 10.4% | 8.9% |
Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital
2.6 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: primary care, mental health
57th
percentile among MI towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Nearby attractions
All 18 attractions →Michigan's Adventure and 12 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Norton Shores. Close and well known come first.
13 mi Theme parkMichigan's Adventure
31 mi MuseumGerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
5 mi MuseumUSS LST-3935 mi Stadium & arenaMercy Health Arena
35 mi MuseumFrederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park32 mi TheatreAcrisure Amphitheater
31 mi MuseumGerald R. Ford Presidential Museum5 mi MuseumUSS LST-3935 mi Stadium & arenaMercy Health Arena35 mi MuseumFrederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park32 mi TheatreAcrisure AmphitheaterSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum: Staff of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Public domain · USS LST-393: USN, Public domain · Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: User Jeffness on en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 2.5
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Norton Shores
19pages on Norton Shores
The big questions
SchoolsB+Beat 72% of MI districts · 7 schoolsSafetyC2.8 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthBBetter than MI on 4 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingC−$296K typical home · up 3.4% in a yearWork & commuteB$77K median household income · 9,608 jobs hereNatural hazardsAFEMA risk higher than 14% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
1 within 15 miles of the center of Norton Shores
About 4 of every 100 Norton Shores residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Michigan.
About Norton Shores
City in Michigan, United States
Norton Shores is a city in Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 25,030 at the 2020 census.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 25 sq mi
- Elevation
- 614 ft
- Area code
- 231
Norton Shores’s neighbors
5 towns share a border with Norton Shores.
Muskegon next door grades lower for schools (C− to Norton Shores’s B+) and higher for cost of living (B to C−).
Muskegon HeightsRoosevelt ParkFruitport TownshipMuskegonSpring Lake TownshipNorton Shores
How the neighbors grade
| Town | MI rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton Shores | #486 | C+ | C− | C | B+ | B |
| Muskegon Heights | — | — | B+ | — | — | D− |
| Roosevelt Park | #566 | C | C | D | B+ | B− |
| Fruitport Township | #509 | C+ | C+ | — | B | C |
| Muskegon | #661 | D | B | — | C− | D− |
| Spring Lake Township | #107 | A | C | — | A | A− |
Muskegon Heights, Fruitport Township, Muskegon and Spring Lake Township report no FBI crime data of their own. Muskegon Heights isn’t graded (fewer than 1,000 residents, or not enough data). Compare Norton Shores with a neighbor →
Questions about Norton Shores
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Norton Shores, MI a good place to live?
Norton Shores grades C+ overall, better than 39% of U.S. towns and #486 of 697 in Michigan. It grades B for health, C for safety and B+ for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a C−.
Is Norton Shores, MI expensive?
Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C−.