Kent County is located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the county had a population of 657,974, making it the fourth most populous county in Michigan, and the largest outside of the Detroit area. Its county seat and largest city is Grand Rapids, Michigan’s second largest city. The county was set off in 1831, and organized in 1836. It is named for New York jurist and legal scholar James Kent, who represented the Michigan Territory in its dispute with Ohio over the Toledo Strip.
Kent County is part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area and is West Michigan's economic and manufacturing center. It is home of the Frederik Meijer Gardens, a significant cultural landmark of the Midwest. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is the county's primary location for regional and international airline traffic.
History The Grand River runs through the county. On its west bank are burial mounds, remnants of the Hopewell Indians who lived there. In the 18th century the Odawa migrated to this area and established multiple villages along the Grand River valley. By the 19th century there were estimated to be over 1000 Odawa. The fur trade became an important industry in the valley during the early 19th century. After the War of 1812, Rix Robinson and Louis Campau were the earliest traders in the area. In 1826, Campau established a trading post in Grand Rapids. In 1831, he bought land and platted the town. Campau is considered the town's "father". One year later, government surveyor Lucius Lyon purchased land north of Campau's property. Campau surveyed and platted the village following Native American trails and Lyon had platted his property in an English grid format, which meant there were two adjoining villages, with different platting formats. Campau later merged the villages under the name of Grand Rapids.
In 1831, it was set off from Kalamazoo County. In 1838, Grand Rapids was incorporated as the county's first village. By the end of the century, stimulated by the construction of several sawmills, the area was a significant center for agriculture, logging, and manufacturing furniture.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of , of which is land and (2.9%) is water. Kent County's highest point is Fisk Knob Park, in Solon Township, at 1048 feet.
Rivers Grand River, flows through the county from its eastern border to the west, and after passing through Ottawa County, empties into Lake Michigan at Grand Haven. It has three tributaries in Kent County, listed in order of convergence: Flat River, enters the county from the east, and joins the Grand from the north, in Lowell. Thornapple River, enters the county from the south, and joins the Grand in Ada. Rogue River, enters the county from the north, and joins the Grand in Belmont.
Trails These hiking and biking trails run through the county: North Country Trail, runs north–south the length of the county, passing through Cedar Springs, Grattan and Lowell. Lowell is the trail's half-way point, and the national headquarters of the North Country Trail Association is located here. Thornapple Trail, begins in Kentwood and runs southeast through Dutton and Caledonia. White Pine Trail begins in Comstock Park and runs northeast through Belmont, Rockford, Cedar Springs, and Sand Lake. Kent Trails (which is singular in spite of the 's') runs north–south from John Ball Park in Grand Rapids to 84th Street in Byron Township, with an extension that runs east/west along 76th Street and north–south from 76th Street to Douglas Walker Park on 84th street. The Frederik Meijer Trail, which, as of November 2008, was incomplete, runs east/west mostly along the M-6 freeway and will connect the Kent Trails and the Thornapple Trail when completed. Cannon Township Trail runs through Cannon Township in the eastern part of the county from Cannon Township Center on M-44. It runs along M-44 then south near Sunfish Lake Road, turning east through the Cannonsburg Cemetery, and ends at Warren Townsend Park near Cannonsburg.
Adjacent counties
Newaygo County - north Montcalm County - northeast Muskegon County - northwest Ionia County - east Ottawa County - west Allegan County - southwest Barry County - southeast
Demographics
Racial and ethnic composition +Kent County, Michigan – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 1980Pop 1990Pop 2000Pop 2010 Pop 2020% 1980% 1990% 2000% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)399,372438,294461,162457,769465,49189.85%87.55%80.29%75.96%70.75%Black or African American alone (NH)31,06839,43249,99456,37262,3596.99%7.88%8.70%9.35%9.48%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)2,0592,4932,5282,0751,8180.46%0.50%0.44%0.34%0.28%Asian alone (NH)2,3825,23410,57713,93221,7990.54%1.05%1.84%2.31%3.31%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)x included in the Asian category in the 1980 Censusx included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census214163175xx0.04%0.03%0.03%Other race alone (NH)8844947027472,3310.20%0.10%0.12%0.12%0.35%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)x not an option in the 1980 Censusx not an option in the 1990 Census8,97513,12728,773xx1.56%2.18%4.37%Hispanic or Latino (any race)8,74114,68440,18358,43775,2281.97%2.93%7.00%9.70%11.43%Total444,506500,631574,335602,622657,974 100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 657,974. The median age was 35.5 years. 23.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.0 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 73.0% White, 9.8% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.3% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 5.7% from some other race, and 7.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 11.4% of the population.
83.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 16.2% lived in rural areas.
There were 251,658 households in the county, of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.1% were married-couple households, 17.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 265,002 housing units, of which 5.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 68.6% were owner-occupied and 31.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.0%.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 602,622 people living in the county. 76.1% were non-Hispanic White, 10.2% Black or African American, 2.4% Asian, 0.7% Native American, 4.5% of some other race and 2.6% of two or more races. 9.7% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).
19.6% reported being of Dutch ancestry; 14.9% German, 13.1% English, 7.4% Irish, 7.1% Polish and 5.5% American ancestry according to the 2010 American Community Survey. 90.0% spoke only English at home, while 6.0% spoke Spanish.
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census, there were 574,335 people, 212,890 households, and 144,126 families living in the county. The current estimated population is 604,323. The population density was . There were 224,000 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 83.13% White, 8.93% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 1.86% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.34% from other races, and 2.16% from two or more races. 7.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 212,890 households, out of which 35.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% were married couples living together, 11.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 25.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.20.
The age distribution of the county was as follows: 28.30% were under the age of 18, 10.50% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 19.70% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $45,980, and the median income for a family was $54,770. Males had a median income of $39,878 versus $27,364 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,629. 8.90% of the population and 6.30% of families were below the poverty line. 10.20% of the population under the age of 18 and 7.50% of those 65 or older were living in poverty.
Transportation
Air service Commercial air service to Grand Rapids is provided by Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR). Previously named Kent County International Airport, it holds Grand Rapids' mark in modern history with the United States' first regularly scheduled airline service, beginning July 31, 1926, between Grand Rapids and Detroit at the former location.
Bus service Public bus transportation is provided by The Rapid, which serves 9 municipalities in Kent County. The Rapid operates 23 routes, including the Silver Line, Laker Line, and DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) services.
Railroad Amtrak provides direct train service to Chicago from the passenger station via the Pere Marquette line. Freight service is provided by CSX Transportation, and by local short-line railroads, the Grand Rapids Eastern Railroad, Grand Elk Railroad, Marquette Rail and the Coopersville & Marne. GR and MQT operate under the ownership of Genesee and Wyoming while GDLK is operated by Watco Companies. CPMY is independent, and focuses more on their excursion service between their namesake cities in Ottawa County than on their small freight business in Kent.
Highways
(concurrent with US 131)
Economy These corporations are headquartered in Kent County, in the following communities: Acrisure, Grand Rapids Amway, Ada American Seating, Grand Rapids Bissell Homecare, Walker Buell Motorcycle Company, Cascade Township Gill Industries, Grand Rapids Gilson Graphics, Grand Rapids Gordon Food Service, Wyoming Founders Brewing Company, Grand Rapids Hart & Cooley, Grand Rapids Meijer, Walker Old Orchard, Sparta Perrigo, Grand Rapids Pridgeon & Clay, Grand Rapids Spartan Stores, Byron Township Steelcase, Grand Rapids Universal Forest Products, Grand Rapids Township Wolverine Worldwide, Rockford X-Rite, Kentwood Zondervan, Cascade Township
Government The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions—police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc.—are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.
Elected officials Prosecuting Attorney: Chris Becker (Republican) Sheriff: Michelle LaJoye-Young (Republican) County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Lisa Posthumus Lyons (Republican) County Treasurer: Peter MacGregor (Republican) Drain Commissioner: Ken Yonker (Republican) County Commission or Board of Commissioners: 21 members, elected from districts (12 Republicans, 9 Democrats), Stan Stek (Republican) serves as board chair. Circuit Court: 10 judges (non-partisan) Probate Court: 3 judges (non-partisan)
(information as of 2022 election)