Norton Shores, MI Demographics

A map of Norton Shores's Population by Race

Norton Shores, Michigan has an estimated population of 25,041, a less than 1% change from the 25,030 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 87.5% White, 4.2% Black, 4.0% Multiracial, 3.2% Hispanic, 0.9% Asian, and 0.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Norton Shores, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Norton Shores has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Michigan overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Norton Shores, that probability was 27.7% in 2020 and 23.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Norton Shores is ranked the 51st most populous place in Michigan, out of 745 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Norton Shores was ranked the 52nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Norton Shores's White Population

21,901 residents of Norton Shores, or 87.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Norton Shores is significantly higher than in Michigan overall, where 72.4% of the population is White. Norton Shores ranks 549th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Norton Shores's White population has grown by an estimated 3.4%. White residents' share of Norton Shores's population has increased from 84.7% to 87.5%.

Norton Shores is more White than neighboring Muskegon Heights (17.7% White), Roosevelt Park (72.6% White), Muskegon (52.3% White), and North Muskegon (81.1% White). Norton Shores is less White than neighboring Ferrysburg (88.7% White).

Norton Shores's Black Population

1,047 residents of Norton Shores, or 4.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Norton Shores is lower than in Michigan overall, where 13.1% of the population is Black. Norton Shores ranks 134th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Norton Shores's Black population has grown by an estimated 19.1%. Black residents' share of Norton Shores's population has increased from 3.5% to 4.2%.

Norton Shores is more Black than neighboring Ferrysburg (0% Black), and North Muskegon (1.3% Black). Norton Shores is less Black than neighboring Muskegon Heights (70.8% Black), Roosevelt Park (10.1% Black), and Muskegon (28.9% Black).

Norton Shores's Asian Population

216 residents of Norton Shores, or 0.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Norton Shores is slightly lower than in Michigan overall, where 3.4% of the population is Asian. Norton Shores ranks 127th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Norton Shores's Asian population has declined by an estimated 35.9%. Asian residents' share of Norton Shores's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Norton Shores is more Asian than neighboring Muskegon Heights (0.3% Asian), Muskegon (0.6% Asian), Ferrysburg (0% Asian), and North Muskegon (0% Asian). Norton Shores is less Asian than neighboring Roosevelt Park (1.6% Asian).

Norton Shores's Hispanic Population

793 residents of Norton Shores, or 3.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Norton Shores is slightly lower than in Michigan overall, where 5.9% of the population is Hispanic. Norton Shores ranks 172nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Norton Shores's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 39.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Norton Shores's population has decreased from 5.2% to 3.2%.

Norton Shores is more Hispanic than neighboring Ferrysburg (1.9% Hispanic). Norton Shores is less Hispanic than neighboring Muskegon Heights (4.6% Hispanic), Roosevelt Park (5.9% Hispanic), Muskegon (9.9% Hispanic), and North Muskegon (10.3% Hispanic).

Norton Shores's Native American/Other Population

73 residents of Norton Shores, or 0.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Norton Shores is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Norton Shores ranks 403rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Norton Shores's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 58.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Norton Shores's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Norton Shores is less Native American/Other than neighboring Muskegon Heights (1.8% Native American/Other), Roosevelt Park (0.5% Native American/Other), Muskegon (0.5% Native American/Other), Ferrysburg (7.1% Native American/Other), and North Muskegon (1.8% Native American/Other).

Norton Shores's Multiracial Population

1,011 residents of Norton Shores, or 4.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Norton Shores is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Norton Shores ranks 281st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Norton Shores's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 11.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Norton Shores's population has decreased from 4.6% to 4.0%.

Norton Shores is more Multiracial than neighboring Ferrysburg (2.3% Multiracial). Norton Shores is less Multiracial than neighboring Muskegon Heights (4.8% Multiracial), Roosevelt Park (9.3% Multiracial), Muskegon (7.8% Multiracial), and North Muskegon (5.5% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.