Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Norton Shores, MI Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

25,041

Median Agei

40.6

Race & Ethnicityi

White

87.5%21,901

Black

4.2%1,047

Two or More

4%1,011

Hispanic/Latino

3.2%793

Asian

0.9%216

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.3%63

Other

0%10

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.4%609

High School Diploma

20.6%3,734

Some College (<1 yr)

10%1,808

Some College (1+ yr)

13.8%2,494

Associate's Degree

14.6%2,638

Bachelor's Degree

23.4%4,225

Master's Degree

7.3%1,322

Professional Degree

1.7%316

Doctorate

0.9%155

HS or Higher

95.7%

BA or Higher

33.3%

Graduate+

9.9%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$234,800

Median Renti

$1,341

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

84.2%8,309

Renter-Occupied

15.8%1,558

Total Units

10,658

Homeownership

84.2%

Vacancy Rate

7.4%

Home Values

Under $50K

5.8%486

$50K–$100K

3.2%263

$100K–$150K

9.7%807

$150K–$200K

17.5%1,451

$200K–$300K

31.9%2,651

$300K–$500K

26%2,159

$500K–$1M

4.2%350

$1M+

1.7%142

Rent Distribution

$500–$750

113

$750–$1,000

$1,000–$1,250

318

$1,250–$1,500

555

$1,500–$2,000

323

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

0.5%56

2010–2019

5.4%574

2000–2009

12.9%1,374

1990–1999

13.8%1,469

1980–1989

10.7%1,145

1970–1979

14%1,487

1960–1969

11.7%1,250

1950–1959

16%1,705

1940–1949

9.7%1,037

1939 or earlier

5.3%561

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

88.7%8,748

Electricity

8%785

Bottled/LP Gas

2.5%244

No Fuel

0.6%58

Other

0.2%16

Wood

0.1%9

Fuel Oil

0.1%7

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$76,579

Mean Household Incomei

$92,017

Per Capita Incomei

$36,997

Poverty Ratei

6.5%

Unemploymenti

4.8%

Labor Forcei

12,378

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

4.7%462

$10K–$15K

1.5%151

$15K–$20K

2.3%225

$20K–$25K

3%293

$25K–$30K

3.2%317

$30K–$35K

3.6%360

$35K–$40K

3.6%351

$40K–$45K

4.9%482

$45K–$50K

3.8%371

$50K–$60K

8.2%808

$60K–$75K

10.3%1,015

$75K–$100K

15.1%1,494

$100K–$125K

11.8%1,162

$125K–$150K

10.5%1,039

$150K–$200K

7.8%772

$200K+

5.7%565

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

5042%

By Region

Top Countries

Germany

192

Korea

Canada

India

Mexico

Philippines

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

11,553

Avg. Commutei

20.3 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

11,782

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,322(6.8% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

97.3%Insured

2.7%Uninsured