Nelson
Surrounded by nature
The quick answer
Nelson is a walkable neighborhood, part of Muskegon Public Schools. Homes here typically sell for around $153,000.
15 homes for sale·Median $153K·Walkability 6.0/10·Schools 2.8/10
Days here move at their own pace—you're not rushing past things on your way somewhere else. The neighborhood sits close enough to downtown that you can walk to restaurants and shops without crossing half the city, yet far enough out that you've got room to breathe. The homes themselves tell the story: brick colonials and solid 1920s-era houses with hardwood floors and built-in cabinetry that still works, front porches that actually face the street, detached garages tucked behind. There's a quiet permanence to streets lined with trees and fenced yards, the kind of place where a weekend might mean puttering in a garden or spending an afternoon at St. Joseph Park, just a short walk away. Winter mornings you might drive down to Grand Haven beach in twenty minutes if you want the water; summer evenings, you could be sipping a drink at a neighborhood restaurant where the bartender doesn't need to ask what you're having. The area isn't pretending to be anything other than what it is—a residential corner of Muskegon city where the bones of the houses are good, the access to dining and errands feels natural rather than forced, and you're genuinely close enough to downtown to hear what's happening there without living in the middle of it.
Why people love it here
Near the water
- Muskegon Lake — 1.3 mi
- 55 parks within 1 mile
- St. Joseph Park: 3 min walk
- Lakeshore Trail: 13 min walk
Very walkable
- St. Joseph Park: 3 min walk
- 5 places within a 10 min walk
$153K median
- 59 sales in last 12mo
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Nelson
Estimated Monthly Payment
$1,038/mo
Property tax and insurance are estimates you can edit — not a quote. Tap either figure to enter your own.
The interest rate shown is not an annual percentage rate (APR). Rate displayed is the current average 30-year fixed rate from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey and is subject to change without notice. Your actual rate, payment, and costs may vary. Contact a loan officer for a personalized quote.
Guild Mortgage NMLS #3274. Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS Consumer Access. Not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to underwriter approval; terms and conditions may apply. Subject to change without notice. Always consult an accountant or tax advisor for full eligibility requirements on tax deduction.
59 homes sold in Nelson this year. Thinking of selling?
See what your home is worthWalkability
Good
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Valy Vietnamese Oriental Food, Gifts & Market
+1 more
Naan Pizza
Drip Drop Drink
Tippsy Toad
St. Joseph Park
Unnamed playground
Ruddiman Lagoon
Unnamed beach
Veterans Memorial Park Walkway
Lakeshore Trail
Waters Edge Fitness
Walgreens
Hackley Public Library
Jumpstart
Getty Drive-In
Based on 4 rated schools nearby
Range: 2/10 to 4/10
School District: Muskegon Public Schools of the City of
Crime in Nelson is reported at the city level, not the neighborhood level. The FBI doesn't publish reliable crime rates for individual neighborhoods, and within any community crime varies street to street. For an accurate, comparable picture, see the jurisdiction-wide figures for Muskegon.
Muskegon crime & safety stats →To buy a median-priced Nelson home (around $152,900) at today's 6.66% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $27k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $1,031 (principal, interest, property tax est., and insurance).
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $1,031/mo | $27,485 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $1,186/mo | $31,635 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $1,239/mo | $33,030 |
Estimates use a 6.66% 30-year fixed rate (current Freddie Mac average), an aggressive ~45% housing-to-income ratio (roughly what FHA underwriting can allow for a buyer with no other monthly debts — your number depends on your debts and credit), this area's median sale price, plus estimated insurance and PMI below 20% down. Not a commitment to lend, and not an APR — your actual rate and payment will vary.
Land for sale
Listings
3 parcels
Active / pending
Median Price
$34K
Per listing
Multifamily for sale
Listings
6 buildings
Active / pending
Median Price
$212K
Per building
Price Per Unit
$91K
Median
Who actually lends in Nelson, and how homes here are financed — from 2024 federal mortgage records.
Loans to buy a home
Most active lenders
Homeowners refinancing an existing mortgage
Most active lenders
Source: 2024 HMDA (CFPB/FFIEC). Neighborhood figures are area-weighted estimates from census-tract data; loan amounts are rounded and all-cash purchases are excluded.
Local Government · area-wide
City of Muskegon
Source: muskegon-mi.gov · unconfirmed
Association and local-government details are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and state registries, and can change. Confirm directly with the association or municipality before relying on them.
Solar potential
~$899/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,560 kWh/yr · offsets ~62% of a typical home's use
City of Muskegon Department of Public Works
City operates water filtration/distribution; wholesales to neighboring communities
City of Muskegon Department of Public Works
City sewage collection; treatment via Muskegon County wastewater system
Services for Muskegon · Source: muskegon-mi.gov
Utility, solar, and service details for Nelson are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and NREL / U.S. data.gov, and can change. Electric/gas can vary by address — confirm with the provider before relying on them.
🛒 Grocery(11)
Valy Vietnamese Oriental Food, Gifts & Market
Grocery Store
Save-A-Lot
Grocery Store
Gordon Food Service
Grocery Store
+8 more within 5 miles
🍕 Restaurants(5)
☕ Coffee(8)
+5 more within 5 miles
🍺 Bars(5)
+2 more within 5 miles
🏫 Schools(30)
School
School
Craig School
Saint Michaels
+25 more within 5 miles
💪 Gyms(1)
Waters Edge Fitness
Fitness Center
🌳 Parks(4)
+1 more within 5 miles
🚴 Trails(1)
Lakeshore Trail
Bike Path
💊 Pharmacies(9)
+6 more within 5 miles
👶 Childcare(1)
Jumpstart
Childcare Center
🏥 Hospitals(2)
Hospital
Hospital
Atlas — Grand Rapids Real Estate
Local real estate specialists
Questions about Nelson? Our team can help with availability, schools, and what it's really like to live here.
Living in Nelson: the details
Is Nelson a good place to live?
Nelson is a strong fit if you want a walkable setting and green space nearby — here is what the data shows. Day to day, you can walk to groceries, cafés and parks for many everyday errands, though a car still helps for bigger trips. This neighborhood is part of Muskegon Public Schools. Homes here typically sell for around $153,000.
What does it cost to live in Nelson?
Homes range from around $150,000 for single-family houses to $216,000 for condos. That spread reflects the mix of housing here rather than a single going rate. There are 15 homes for sale here right now and 59 homes sold here in the past year.
Frequently asked about Nelson
- What do homes cost in Nelson?
- The median home value in Nelson is about $152,900. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Nelson housing market?
- there are 15 homes for sale in Nelson right now, and 59 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Nelson?
- Nelson is served by Muskegon Public Schools of the City of. Its highest-rated assigned school is Muskegon High School (4/10).
- Is Nelson walkable?
- Nelson scores 6.0/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.
Top contributors in Nelson
Detailed statistics are being computed for this location. Demographics, home values, schools, flood risk, and more will appear here automatically.