City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Kentwood, MI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Kentwood - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

54,114
Residents
$73,647
Median income
$249,000
Median home
$1,531
Median rent (state)

Kentwood - the verdict

Kentwood ranks in the 54th percentile for household income and the 21st percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

54th
percentile, household income
56th
percentile, home value
61st
percentile, median rent
21st
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Kentwood, MI

Michigan's Kentwood is a small city, with 54,114 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Kentwood brings in $73,647 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.2%. Home values in Kentwood run a median of $249,000, and the median resident age is 34.7 years. 35.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 67.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 100 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Growing), up 19% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2570.0 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Michigan scores 96.2 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,531 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Michigan's average monthly utility costs around $238 (state average). Workers in Kentwood report an average commute of 17.7 minutes, with 79.0% driving alone and 10.9% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 92.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

54,114 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$73,647 /yr

Poverty 6.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Kentwood compare to other US cities?

Here's how Kentwood stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 54% higher than other cities
Home value 56% pricier than other cities
Median rent 61% pricier than other cities
Safety 21% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Michigan and the picture shifts: Kentwood ranks #211 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Kentwood's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Michigan, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

54thIncome percentile
21stSafety percentile

54th percentile nationally for median household income · 21st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Kentwood's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Kentwood's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 39 Avg. percentile National median
Kentwood's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Kentwood's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$249,000 44th percentile more affordable than 44% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Kentwood $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Kentwood, MI Kentwood, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Kentwood, MI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Kentwood, MI median $73,647/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Kentwood, MI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Kentwood, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 35.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
54,114
Median Income
$73,647
Median Home Value
$249,000
Median Age
34.7
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Labor force participation
67.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
35.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2570.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
387.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2182.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
54,000 residents54,500 residents55,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 54,287 residents 54,776 residents ▲ +0.9%
Kentwood's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
100
housing units authorized
Single-Family
100
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 84
2020 73
2021 110
2022 99
2023 108
2024 100

Permit volume increased 19% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.7 minutes
Drive Alone
79.0%
Carpool
7.0%
Public Transit
1.3%
Walk
0.4%
Work from Home
10.9%
Other
1.4%

Based on 27,412 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Michigan - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$238
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Michigan state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Michigan state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Kentwood sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,531/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
92.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Battle Creek
52,392 people
Royal Oak
57,880 people
St. Clair Shores
58,287 people
Portage
49,015 people
Roseville
47,240 people
Pontiac
61,914 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Kentwood's 54,114 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Texas City, TX
54,159 people
Rocky Mount, NC
54,175 people
Peabody, MA
54,180 people
Pensacola, FL
54,011 people
Manhattan, KS
53,951 people
Logan, UT
53,923 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Kentwood's $73,647 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Ladd, IL
$73,646 median income
Paradise Park, CA
$73,640 median income
Temelec, CA
$73,654 median income
Kenwood Estates, FL
$73,654 median income
Elwood, IL
$73,640 median income
East Poultney, VT
$73,654 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Kentwood, MI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Kentwood, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 57.0% 19.9% 9.8% 10.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.1% White 57.0% Black or African American 19.9% Asian 9.8% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.0% Two or more races 10.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Kentwood compares to nearby Michigan cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Kentwood (this city) 54,114 $73,647
Battle Creek 52,392 $51,699
Royal Oak 57,880 $95,182
St. Clair Shores 58,287 $72,693
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Kentwood, MI?

What is the population of Kentwood, MI? +

Kentwood, MI has a population of 54,114 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Kentwood, MI? +

Median annual household income in Kentwood runs $73,647, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Kentwood? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Kentwood; the closest available measure is the Michigan state average, a cost of living index of 96.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Michigan vary by metro area.

Is Kentwood, MI safe? +

Kentwood has a total crime rate of 2570.0 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Kentwood, MI? +

Homes in Kentwood carry a median value of $249,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.