Norton Shores
Great schools with outdoor access
The quick answer
Norton Shores is a city, part of Mona Shores Public School District. Homes here typically sell for around $287,000.
93 homes for sale·Median $287K·Walkability 1.3/10·Schools 6.3/10
What surprises people about Norton Shores is that a city this close to Muskegon County feels genuinely separate—incorporated back in 1968 specifically to stay independent, and it shows. The place is defined by its parks and water access rather than strip development; Lake Harbor Park alone spans 189 acres with ample green space for recreation. Homes here run around $570K on lots that average nearly an acre, which means you get actual space—the kind where your lot size isn't a punchline. Downtown amenities cluster close (grocery, coffee, restaurants all within steps), but the real draw is the 72 restaurants within a mile and the ability to reach Grand Haven beach in just 17 minutes if the mood strikes. Mona Shores Public School District serves the area, and the cost of living sits at 82.7—about 18% below the national average—which explains why this doesn't feel like a stretch financially despite what the median home price suggests. It's the kind of place where Craig's Cruisers (mini-golf, go-carts, bumper boats) sits down the road as the local entertainment anchor, not some regional destination you drive an hour to reach. Downtown Grand Rapids is 47 minutes away if you need it, but most days you're probably not going anywhere.
Why people love it here
Lake life
- Mona Lake within walking distance
- 5 parks within 1 mile
- Smitty Vanderplow Field: 8 min bike
- Beach in Randall Rd & Sunnyridge St Area: 10 min bike
Mona Shores High School
- High — 1.0 mi away
- Mona Shores
- 6 rated schools in district
$73K median household income
- $287K median · 319 sales in last 12mo
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Norton Shores
Estimated Monthly Payment
$1,951/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.
319 homes sold in Norton Shores this year. Thinking of selling?
See what your home is worthFlood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
Ross Park
0.6 mi
Parks Nearby
5
within 1 mile
Nearest Lake
Mona Lake
0.0 mi
Based on 6 rated schools nearby
Range: 4/10 to 10/10
School District: Mona Shores Public School District
Median Income
$73K
Household
Median Sale Price
$287K
319 sales in last 12mo
Expected Rent
$1,675/mo
$1,550 – $1,825 · estimated range
Parcels
3,588
3125 residential
Walkability
Car-dependent
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Meijer
Chili's
Biggby Coffee
Hank's Tavern
Smitty Vanderplow Field
Playground in Randall Rd & Sunnyridge St Area
Mona Lake
Beach in Randall Rd & Sunnyridge St Area
Segment 1 to 2
Shoreline Landing Dog Park
Lake Harbor Trail
Rec Room
Rite Aid
Norton Shores Jacob O. Funkhouser Branch Library
Cinema Carousel
In 2024, the most common reported offenses in Norton Shores were larceny / theft (1,508 per 100,000 residents) and motor-vehicle theft (204 per 100,000 residents), per FBI Uniform Crime Reporting — with a comparison to similar-size Michigan cities below.
No homicides were reported in 2024.
| Offense type | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|
| Larceny / theft | 1,508 |
| Motor-vehicle theft | 204 |
| Burglary | 172 |
| Aggravated assault | 148 |
| Rape | 40 |
| Arson | 8 |
| Robbery | 4 |
| Homicide | 0 |
How Norton Shores compares to similar-size Michigan cities
| City | Population | Violent /100k | Property /100k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burton | 29,280 | 779 | 2,367 |
| Allen Park | 27,194 | 239 | 1,754 |
| Walker | 25,307 | 221 | 2,478 |
| Norton Shores | 25,000 | 192 | 1,892 |
| Wyandotte | 23,779 | 240 | 828 |
Reported offenses per 100,000 residents, Norton Shores Police Department, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024). Comparison cities are the nearest in population, ordered by size — not ranked by crime. Crime is reported at the jurisdiction level and varies block to block within any community.
To buy a median-priced Norton Shores home (around $287,450) at today's 6.66% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $48k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $1,811 (principal, interest, property tax, and insurance).
The typical Norton Shores household earns $73,390 — above what the median home requires. At that income, a buyer can afford roughly $459,000 with 20% down.
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $1,811/mo | $48,304 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $2,104/mo | $56,104 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $2,202/mo | $58,727 |
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 and median property taxes, 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
32 parcels
Active / pending
Typical Land Value
$104K/acre
Median asking
Median Price
$182K
Per listing
Who actually lends in Norton Shores, 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.
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
~$887/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,473 kWh/yr · offsets ~62% of a typical home's use
City of Norton Shores Water & Sewer Division
City water distribution (sourced from City of Muskegon supply)
Republic Services (area hauler)
Curbside via contracted hauler; Republic serves the area
Republic Services (area hauler)
Area recycling via Republic
Municipal fire/EMS; also covers Roosevelt Park by contract; 3 stations
Source: nortonshores.org
Utility, solar, and service details for Norton Shores 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.
Median Income
$73K
Home Value (Census)
$214K
Expected Rent
$1,675/mo
$1,550 – $1,825 · estimated range
🛒 Grocery(11)
+8 more within 5 miles
🍕 Restaurants(5)
Restaurant
Chili's
Restaurant
Fast Food
Fast Food
☕ Coffee(6)
+3 more within 5 miles
🍺 Bars(5)
+2 more within 5 miles
🏫 Schools(30)
School
Roosevelt School
Glendale School
+25 more within 5 miles
🐕 Dog Parks(1)
Shoreline Landing Dog Park
Dog Park
🚴 Trails(6)
+3 more within 5 miles
💊 Pharmacies(6)
+3 more within 5 miles
👶 Childcare(1)
Jumpstart
Childcare Center
🏥 Hospitals(2)
Hospital
Hospital
📚 Libraries(2)
⚡ EV Charging(5)
232 | Muskegon - Shell Recharge
EV Charging
Meijer Stores 232 Fruitport - Chargepoint
EV Charging
EV Charging
EV Charging
Unnamed ev_charging
EV Charging
Atlas — Grand Rapids Real Estate
Local real estate specialists
Questions about Norton Shores? Our team can help with availability, schools, and what it's really like to live here.
Living in Norton Shores: the details
Is Norton Shores a good place to live?
Norton Shores is a strong fit if you want easy access to Lake Michigan and green space nearby — here is what the data shows. When it comes to errands, it is mostly a drive-first area, so you will use a car for groceries, dining and errands. This city is part of Mona Shores Public School District. Homes here typically sell for around $287,000.
What does it cost to live in Norton Shores?
Homes in Norton Shores sell for a median of about $287,000. There are 93 homes for sale here right now and 319 homes sold here in the past year.
Frequently asked about Norton Shores
- What do homes cost in Norton Shores?
- The median home value in Norton Shores is about $287,450. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Norton Shores housing market?
- there are 93 homes for sale in Norton Shores right now, and 319 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Norton Shores?
- Norton Shores is served by Mona Shores Public School District. Its highest-rated assigned school is Mona Shores High School (10/10).
- Is Norton Shores walkable?
- Norton Shores scores 1.3/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.
