MUSKEGON COUNTY
County Offices
990 Terrace Street
Muskegon 231-724-6221
https://www.co.muskegon.mi.us/
Chamber of Commerce
380 West Western Avenue
Muskegon 231-722-3751
www.muskegon.org
Located in Western Michigan bordering the shore of Lake Michigan, picturesque Muskegon County invites newcomers to discover the “Lake Effect” of outstanding recreational opportunities and a high quality of life. The county is home to bustling urban centers like Muskegon as well as fertile, rural townships and welcoming small villages. Grand Rapids is only 40 miles to the southeast and Grand Haven is 10 miles to the south.
Services
Newcomers will appreciate the strong network of quality healthcare services and facilities in Muskegon County, anchored by a merger of Hackley Health and Mercy General Health Partners under the umbrella of Trinity Health. This dynamic partnership has allowed these two recognized organizations to streamline their services, increase specializations, and expand state-of-the-art facilities. Mercy has received the Distinguished Hospital Award for Excellence from HealthGrades, placing it among the top five percent for clinical excellence, and was named among the nation’s “Top 100 Hospitals.” Both Mercy General Health and Hackley Health are consistent winners of the Governor’s Award for Excellence. The Mercy and Muskegon General Campus in Muskegon provides an impressive list of specialized centers in addition to inpatient and outpatient care. The 180-bed Hackley Hospital in Muskegon has been meeting the needs of shoreline community residents for more than 100 years. Hackley Lakeshore Hospital in Shelby serves residents of southern Muskegon County, including ambulatory services, women’s care, physician offices, diagnostic technology, and an urgent care center. The regional healthcare network includes many private practice physicians, chiropractors, dentists, home-care providers, and assisted living centers.
Muskegon County benefits from a strong commitment to educational excellence on every academic level, beginning with highly respected public school systems and a wide array of options for a private education. One of the most unique assets in this area is the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, a summer school for the arts on 1,300 acres of Manistee National Forest. More than 5,000 gifted students from elementary through high school take advantage of diverse programs in music, art, dance, and drama. One of several campuses for the private Baker College is located in Muskegon, offering two and four-year degrees as well as a new culinary school and MBA program. Muskegon Community College offers an affordable start on a four-year degree as well as associate degree and certification programs. At the Stevenson Center for Higher Education, students can earn upper-level degrees from Ferris State, Western Michigan, and Grand Valley State universities. The Muskegon Area Career Tech Center on the campus of Muskegon Community College provides training for high school students in 20 career programs. Within a 40-miles radius of the Muskegon-Grand Rapids-Holland triangle are Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Aquinas College, and a number of other private institutions for virtually unlimited access to undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs.
Lifestyle
One of the most outstanding attributes of life in Muskegon County is year-round access to some of the nation’s finest recreational areas and sites. This scenic region features 26 miles of Lake Michigan waterfront, 400 miles of rivers, and more than 11,000 acres of inland lakes for world-class water recreation. Muskegon’s Pere Marquette Beach has received national recognition for its pristine shoreline, while Muskegon Lake welcomes boaters to public and private marinas and a full range of services. Those who prefer more grounded sports will find extensive trails like the new Lakeshore Trail, the Hart-Montague Bicycle Trail, and the Muskatawa State Trail that are ideal for joggers, cyclers, and skaters. The latter has been designated a National Recreation Trail and features picturesque landscapes for cycling, horseback riding, and even snowmobiling. Muskegon County is also home to one of the nation’s only luge runs. Camping, fishing, hunting, nature study, picnicking, hiking, and mountain biking can all be enjoyed in regional parks, preserves, and forests. Championship golf courses, fitness centers, racquet courts, sports league play, lush parks, boat launches, marinas, and recreation centers are just a few of the amenities that encourage an active lifestyle.
Those who appreciate cultural enrichment will not be disappointed. In fact, Forbes Magazine has ranked Muskegon as one of the nation’s 10 top destinations for culture and leisure activities for cities of comparable size. The nationally accredited Muskegon Museum of Art showcases traveling exhibitions and a permanent collection of master’s works, while ArtWorks of Muskegon inspires a new generation of artists in its loft-style headquarters. Elegant and intimate performance venues are crowned by the historic Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, home to the West Shore Symphony Orchestra and the Muskegon Civic Theatre. The Blue Lakes Fine Arts Camp is another popular destination for musical and theatrical productions. Fine museums and historic preservation keep the region’s rich and colorful history alive in fascinating displays and collections, from the Muskegon County Museum to the 1890 Hackley Library. The Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum on the Muskegon Channel features the World War II submarine Silversides, while the Port City Princess offers modern cruises around Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan. Colorful festivals, annual celebrations, and seasonal activities dot the calendar with lively events crowned by Muskegon’s Summer Celebration. Families flock to Michigan’s Adventure, a wet-and-wild amusement park between Muskegon and Whitehall. With its wide array of living environments, attractive housing, picturesque communities, and exceptional natural resources, Muskegon County is an idyllic place to live, play, and work.
Montague
City Offices
231-893-1155
https://cityofmontague.org/
Chamber of Commerce
231-893-4585
https://www.whitelake.org/
The small but proud town of Montague is closely aligned with Whitehall, the two communities sharing a chamber of commerce. Montague and Whitehall actually face each other along the shoreline of White Lake just 17 miles north of bustling Muskegon and are connected by a causeway. One of the more unique landmarks in Montague is touted as the world’s largest weathervane at 4,300 pounds and 48 feet tall. Residents enjoy a quiet, family-oriented lifestyle in a friendly hometown setting with events like a seasonal farmer’s market, weekly concerts at the Band Shell, and the Trailway RV Campground. At the same time, Montague hosts an industrial park that reflects the city’s progressive attitude toward quality economic development. Charming neighborhoods offer a medley of housing styles, including a number of treasures from the 19th century. This picturesque community is a fine example of the appeal of small-town America in a scenic setting. The shores of Lake Michigan are just four miles west of the center of town for world-class boating and water sports. The city is surrounded by scenic countryside of fertile farmland and heavily wooded areas.
Muskegon
City Offices
231-724-6705
https://www.muskegon-mi.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
231-722-3751
https://www.muskegon.org/
The county seat of government, the city of Muskegon has always been linked to the fresh waters that inspired its growth and have maintained its quality of life. Beautiful beaches, scenic forests, world-class recreational opportunities, historic preservation, a picturesque marina, and cultural enrichment are all hallmarks of this dynamic community. The city has been recognized for the quality of its cultural and leisure activities, from wonderful venues, museums, and galleries to lush parks and river or lakefront trails. However, Muskegon is not resting on its laurels. The public school system is improving and upgrading classrooms and buildings, while the Muskegon Housing Commission is actively revitalizing older neighborhoods and offering an award-winning program for new construction by first-time homeowners. Emphasizing the natural bounty of the waterfront, the city is renovating and reshaping its downtown district to benefit residents and visitors alike. Treasures like the Muskegon Museum of Art, the historic Hackley Library, and Charles Hackley’s historic home are just a few of the preserved jewels that display the city’s rich heritage. Other Muskegon highlights include the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, the community showcase of Heritage Landing, and a newly renovated sports arena.
Muskegan Heights
City Offices
231-733-8999
https://muskegonheights.us/
Chamber of Commerce
231-722-3751
https://www.muskegon.org/
Nestled in southwestern Muskegon County just four miles from the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, Muskegon Heights proudly refers to its community as the “City of Friendly People.” Well-known for its strong sense of family heritage, Muskegon Heights has long been one of Michigan’s primarily diverse communities and capitalizes on that sense of unity and inclusion in drawing new business and industry to the area. The city welcomes multicultural, local, regional, national, and international enterprises to take advantage of its four Renaissance Zones. Residents cherish the small-town friendliness and slower pace of their city yet fully support a progressive attitude toward quality development and downtown revitalization. Downtown Muskegon Heights is a classic centerpiece of professional services, shopping, and entertainment with the added convenient of convenient parking and a pedestrian-friendly setting. Newcomers will appreciate the lovely inland lake, the close proximity to world-class water recreation, easy access to major hospitals and higher education, and the welcoming spirit of their new Muskegon Heights neighbors.
North Muskegan
City Offices
231-744-1621
http://www.northmuskegon.org/
Chamber of Commerce
231-722-3751
https://www.muskegon.org/
Surrounded by the Greater Muskegon area, the scenic city of North Muskegon nestles against the shoreline of Muskegon Lake and includes a small peninsula that juts south into the lake to form Bear Lake to the north. The city’s location ensures unrivaled access to water-oriented recreation from fishing to boating, further enhancing the natural beauty of this serene residential community. One of the finest views of Muskegon Lake can be seen along Ruddiman Avenue near the high school and city hall. Most of the commercial development is clustered in the northeastern section in the Four Corners Shopping District, providing convenient shops and services. Charter fishing services, beautiful beaches, stunning forests, local restaurants and diners, and hometown friendliness are just a few of the highlights in this welcoming community. Residents have the advantage of a close-knit spirit and quiet neighborhoods just minutes from Muskegon’s vibrant shopping areas, bustling downtown district, first-class performing and visual arts venues, entertainment centers, colleges and major hospitals, and expanded recreational facilities.
Norton Shores
City Offices
231-798-4391
https://nortonshores.org/
Chamber of Commerce
231-722-3751
https://www.muskegon.org/
Situated just south of the bustling city of Muskegon, Norton Shores serves as one of the major suburbs in the Greater Muskegon region. Nestled around breathtaking Mona Lake, which provides boat access to Lake Michigan, the city is popular with those who enjoy water-oriented recreation and a relaxed suburban lifestyle. Wonderful neighborhoods provide a wide range of housing options, from modest starter homes and well-kept older properties to vibrant new construction on spacious lots. Norton Shores is home to the Muskegon County Airport, known for a spectacular annual air show each summer. Panoramic parks add to the beauty of the city, crowned by the 182-acre Lake Harbor Park with a walkway along Mona Lake that offers fishing and connects to a picnic area overlooking Mona Lake Channel. West from the walkway, an interpretive trail leads to the dunes, a wooden walkway with observation decks, and a beautiful Lake Michigan beach. Ross Park is another beach and waterfront site brimming over with sports and recreation facilities from Frisbee golf to in-line hockey rinks. Ross Park hosts one of the highlights of the summer, the annual Arts & Crafts Fair.
Roosevelt Park
City Offices
231-755-3721
https://rooseveltpark.org/
Chamber of Commerce
231-722-3751
https://www.muskegon.org/
Incorporated in 1946, the city of Roosevelt Park is located in the southwestern portion of the county, blending residential and commercial development with limited light industry. Residents and civic leaders of Roosevelt Park pride themselves in being “good neighbors” to the bordering cities of Muskegon and Norton Shores. Neighborhoods are welcoming and attractive, interspersed with lush parks that add natural beauty and are uniquely designed to serve the surrounding neighborhood with tennis courts, playground equipment, ball fields, or a picturesque gazebo. The homes and landscaping show care and pride of ownership, and the city has developed a number of recreational and social events that bring friends and neighbors together throughout the year. During the summer months, the city sponsors an arts and crafts program for children at the Community Center Park. August marks Roosevelt Park Day, a citywide celebration of great food, arts and crafts, music, a parade, rides, and games.
Village of Ravenna, Ravenna Township
Village Hall
231-853-2360
https://www.ravennami.com/
Town Hall
231-853-6205
https://www.ravennatwp.com/
Chamber of Commerce
231-722-3751
https://www.muskegon.org/
“If you’re lucky enough to live in Ravenna, you’re lucky enough” is the slogan of the village and town of Ravenna. This rural community offers a close-knit atmosphere and the pleasures of country living within easy access to the cultural, entertainment, educational, healthcare, commercial, and employment opportunities in urban Muskegon. Area youth attend the small but self-contained local school system of elementary, middle, and high schools. Residents often gather at the picturesque park that serves as a centerpiece of recreational and social life with its charming gazebo and a pavilion that hosts events and meetings. Other recreational opportunities within the community are a woodland trail with a convenient boardwalk where strollers can relax beneath a canopy of trees. Cyclists enjoy biking across the Muskatawa rail tressel, while golfers have a choice of several panoramic courses in or near the area. The housing opportunities are diverse, ranging from well-kept older properties nestled in quiet village neighborhoods to vibrant new construction on spacious lots.
Whitehall
City Offices
231-894-4048
https://cityofwhitehall.org/
Chamber of Commerce
231-893-4585
https://www.whitelake.org/
The picturesque community of Whitehall offers a unique blend of old-fashioned charm and a progressive, full-service city. This quaint city shares a location on the shores of panoramic White Lake with the city of Montague, and the two share an active chamber of commerce that promotes their business and tourism interests. One of the landmarks in this area is now a major attraction. The White River Light Station Museum is an 1875 lighthouse on the channel that connects White Lake and Lake Michigan near Whitehall, recalling the 19th century maritime industry. Just 17 miles north of Muskegon, Whitehall is only minutes from expanded urban amenities including colleges, hospitals, performing arts venues, entertainment centers, and thriving employment centers. Whitehall is known as a serene hometown but also as a retreat for urban residents who want to enjoy fall colors, canoeing, fishing, golfing, tennis, quaint shops, and wonderful restaurants in a quiet and charming atmosphere. The city is approximately five miles from the Lake Michigan coastline and named for its location at the end of scenic White Lake. Residents and visitors enjoy an extended marina on the lake.
