Norton Shores, Michigan

Norton Shores is a city located in Muskegon County, Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 22,527.

Contents

1 Overview 2 History 3 Geography 4 Demographics 5 External link

Overview

Norton Shores, Michigan, a young, growing city located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Muskegon County is well known for its natural scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, attractive neighborhoods and high quality public schools. The community of 22,527 residents encompasses over 24 square miles. Norton Shores is graced with more than six miles of Lake Michigan shoreline plus numerous public access points on Mona Lake and Black Lake. Hoffmaster State Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Michigan. It has wooded campsites and some of the finest beaches and dunes anywhere for hiking and family enjoyment. The acclaimed Gillette Nature Center located within the park affords unique educational opportunities. Several city parks, including three located on Mona Lake, offer additional passive and active recreational activities. In addition, Craig's Cruisers Family Entertainment Center provides leisure time activities for the entire family.

Norton Shores might best be described as a rural/suburban environment with a balance of industrial, commercial and residential development. A growing but controlled industrial park is attracting clean technological industries which, while adding to the employment opportunities of the community, does not detract from the city's beautiful suburban setting. A distinct commercial/retail sector is no more than five or ten minutes from any residential area. In addition, Lakeshore Marketplace, a regional retail development, hosts a growing number of high quality national retailers. The city is noted for some of the most distinctive homes and appealing subdivisions in the greater Muskegon area. Norton Shores has led the county in residential construction permits for the past five years.

Norton Shores offers excellent educational opportunities from the Mona Shores Public Schools to its close proximity to Muskegon Community College, Baker College and Grand Valley State University. With its high quality of life, Norton Shores is a much sought after place in which to live and raise a family.

History

The Chippewa, Potawotomie and Ottawa Indians for hundreds of years occupied the wilds of Western Michigan. The Native American tribes were very protective of the natural environment Mother Nature put on this earth. When the immigrants arrived they found openings in the forest made by the Native Americans, which were used to raise food.

Norton Township was originally organized in 1845 by settlers of the village of Mill Point (now Spring Lake). The township was named in honor of Col. Amos Norton, a Canadian patriot who was implicated in the rebellion of 1837.

Norton Township was part of Ottawa County and also included the Townships of Fruitport and Sullivan. In 1855 Spring Lake Township was detached from Norton and organized as a township in Ottawa County. Norton Township was separated from Ottawa County in 1859 and became a part of Muskegon County. The population of Norton Township in 1860 was 197 and in 1864 was 229.

In 1847 the first sawmill in Norton Township was built. It was known as Robinson's Mill and was located at the head of Black Lake (now known as Mona Lake).

In 1850, Ira Porter arrived at Mona Lake. He operated Porter Sawmill and a fruit farm. One of the largest fruit farms in Norton Township was operated by G. N. Cobb who also operated a box factory for fifteen years beginning in 1869. With the closing of the sawmills and the box factory, residents turned to raising fruit which became a very profitable industry. Boats would enter Lake Harbor and make a trip around the lake picking up crates of berries at the docks of the growers. They would then return to Lake Michigan with their cargo and transfer it to large steamers bound for Chicago.

Thanks to the Norton Township Volunteer Fire Department and the cooperation of the Norton Township Board, action was taken to incorporate Norton Township into a Home Rule City. An election to determine if Norton Township should be incorporated into a Home Rule City passed by a two to one margin and nine charter commissioners were elected to draw up the first City Charter which was adopted on April 16, 1968.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 63.4 km² (24.5 mi²). 60.2 km² (23.2 mi²) of it is land and 3.2 km² (1.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 4.99% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 22,527 people, 8,996 households, and 6,396 families residing in the city. The population density is 374.3/km² (969.2/mi²). There are 9,679 housing units at an average density of 160.8/km² (416.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 94.63% White, 1.63% African American, 0.73% Native American, 0.84% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. 2.69% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 8,996 households out of which 30.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% are married couples living together, 8.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% are non-families. 24.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.48 and the average family size is 2.97.

In the city the population is spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $45,457, and the median income for a family is $53,447. Males have a median income of $38,115 versus $26,728 for females. The per capita income for the city is $22,713. 5.3% of the population and 3.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.3% of those under the age of 18 and 3.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

External link

• City of Norton Shores web site (http://www.nortonshores.org/)
• Mona Shores Public Schools web site (http://www.monashores.net/)
• Baker College web site (http://www.baker.edu/)
• Muskegon Community College web site (http://www.muskegon.cc.mi.us/)
• Grand Valley State University web site (http://www.gvsu.edu/)