City of Muskegon Earns 5-Star Recognition in 2025 eCities Program
February 11, 2026
The City of Muskegon has been named a Five-Star Community in the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s 2025 eCities program. This is the highest rating awarded and recognizes the city as one of the top-performing communities in Michigan.
The eCities program is led by the University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Business. Each year, the program reviews five years of public data from cities across Michigan. The data looks at economic growth, property values, and local government investment. Each community’s results are compared to the State of Michigan’s five-year averages and to other participating cities.
How Muskegon Stands Out
The report shows that the City of Muskegon performed above the state’s five-year average in several important areas:
Real Commercial Property Value
This measures the total value of business properties such as stores, offices, and other commercial buildings. The city’s commercial property values were higher than the state average over the past five years. Businesses are investing in the City of Muskegon, and commercial areas are growing in value.
Real Industrial Property Value
This includes factories, warehouses, and other industrial buildings. The City of Muskegon ranked above the state average in industrial property value growth. The city continues to support manufacturing and industrial development, which brings jobs and strengthens the local economy.
Total Real Property Value
This combines all real estate values in the city, including homes, businesses, and industrial properties. Our city exceeded the state’s five-year average in overall property value growth. Property in the City of Muskegon is increasing in value, which is a strong sign of economic health and community growth.
Personal Commercial Property Value
This refers to business equipment and machinery used by companies. The city’s numbers were above the state average in this area as well. Local businesses are investing in tools, equipment, and upgrades to grow and improve their operations.
Governmental Assets (Non-Depreciated and Total Assets)
These measures reflect the value of city-owned property and infrastructure, such as buildings, land, and major equipment.
Our city’s governmental asset values were above the state’s five-year average.
- Non-depreciated assets are assets that keep their value over time, like land.
- Total governmental assets include all city-owned property and infrastructure.
The City of Muskegon continues to invest in and maintain important public resources that serve residents and businesses.
City of Muskegon Performance Report
| Data Point | City of Muskegon Five-Year Trend | State Comparison Five-Year Trend |
|---|---|---|
| A1 Real Commercial Property | 12.64% | 6.51% |
| A2 Real Industrial Property | 7.08% | 7.00% |
| A3 Total Real Property | 15.87% | 8.98% |
| A4 Personal Commercial Property | 3.58% | 0.73% |
| A5 Personal Industrial Property | -19.91% | 1.43% |
| A6 Total Personal Property | 2.44% | 3.97% |
| A7 Total Overall Property | 14.82% | 8.68% |
| B1 Non-Depreciated Governmental Assets | 7.70% | 7.26% |
| B2 Depreciated Governmental Assets | -13.66% | 2.98% |
| B3 Total Governmental Assets | 4.54% | 3.43% |
| C1 Non-Homestead Tax Rate | -0.54% | -0.05% |
document reports your community’s growth rate (“Five-Year Community Trend” column) for each data point. The equivalent growth
rates, (“Five-Year Comparison Trend” column), are displayed for the state of Michigan values for the first seven points, and the last four
points for the 277 eCities 2025 participating communities.
A 1-A7 are property values within the community as reported by the Michigan Department of Treasury.
BI-BJ are the year-end governmental assets as reported on your annual audited financial reports.
CI is the tax rate(s) for non-homestead (non-PRE) properties within the community as reported by the Michigan Department of Treasury.[/mfn]
What does this all mean?
Earning a Five-Star designation shows that the City of Muskegon is growing, investing wisely, and building a strong local economy. The city’s above-average performance in property values and public investment reflects continued progress and confidence in the community.
