It is a census-designated place (CDP) for statistical purposes, without any legal status as a municipality.

[4] The community is in Hagar Township on the shore of Lake Michigan.

It was originally primarily a summer resort but later became a village with 1,200 permanent residents.

The Hagar Shores name came about in 1958 when the post office rejected the name Lake Michigan Beach.

29.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.