City · Michigan
Kentwood, Michigan
Kentwood, city, in Kent County, Michigan. Kentwood had 54,776 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 54,304 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 54,296 (±79). GEOID 2642820.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
54,776
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 54,304 · ACS 2020-2024: 54,296 ±79
Median household income
$74,373
±$5,045 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$268,200
±$7,983 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$1,260
±$61 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
Where is Kentwood and what county is it in?
Kentwood is a city in Kent County, Michigan. It covers 20.9 square miles of land, 2,596 residents per square mile in 2020.
Kentwood is in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Kentwood, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 54,776 people lived in Kentwood on July 1, 2025, up 0.8% since 2020, in line with Michigan (+0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 54,304 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 54,296 (±79).
| Measure | Kentwood | Kent County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 54,296 ±79 | 663,150 | +2,603 |
| Households | 21,245 ±663 | 256,648 | +906 |
| Average household size | 2.53 ±0.08 | 2.54 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 22,322 ±645 | 269,136 | +1,451 |
Kentwood's population since 2000
From 45,255 in 2000 to 54,776 in 2025: up 21.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Kentwood as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Kentwood?
The median resident of Kentwood is 35.1 years old; 23.3% are under 18 and 14.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 52.3%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 21.5%. 19.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Kentwood | Kent County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.1 ±1.2 | 35.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.3% ±1.5 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.7% ±1.0 pts | 14.9% | – |
| Male | 48.8% ±1.5 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.3% ±1.4 pts | 11.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 52.3% ±2.9 pts | 70.4% | −4.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 21.5% ±3.2 pts | 9.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 9.9% ±1.6 pts | 3.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.4% ±1.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 19.2% ±2.5 pts | 8.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 24.8% ±2.7 pts | 13.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.5% ±0.8 pts | 4.9% | – |
| With a disability | 10.5% ±1.1 pts | 11.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.9% ±0.8 pts | 4.8% | −2.1 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.4% ±1.4 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 36.7% ±2.3 pts | 40.8% | +4.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.7% ±1.5 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.2% ±2.1 pts | 87.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.7% ±0.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Kentwood earn?
Half of Kentwood's 21,245 households earn less than $74,373 a year (±$5,045), against $82,631 in Kent County and $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 the median was $66,700 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,673 after inflation. 10.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Kentwood | Kent County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,373 ±$5,045 | $82,631 | +$7,673 |
| Mean household income | $90,940 ±$4,073 | $109,612 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,116 ±$1,857 | $42,992 | +$2,287 |
| People below the poverty line | 10.4% ±2.5 pts | 10.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.2% ±6.5 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.6% ±1.7 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.1% ±1.7 pts | 95.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.1% ±2.0 pts | 92.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Kentwood?
Owners occupy 61.3% of Kentwood's occupied homes and renters 38.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $268,200 by its owner (±$7,983). The median renter pays $1,260 a month including utilities, and 38.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Kentwood | Kent County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $268,200 ±$7,983 | $289,900 | +$72,889 |
| Median gross rent | $1,260 ±$61 | $1,243 | +$154 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.6% ±5.0 pts | 39.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,579 ±$52 | $1,603 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.3% ±2.8 pts | 70.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 38.7% ±2.8 pts | 29.7% | – |
| Housing units | 22,322 ±645 | 269,136 | +1,451 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.2% ±2.2 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 47.5% ±2.8 pts | 64.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.5% ±0.9 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3% ±0.6 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.6% ±1.6 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.3% ±0.8 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.6% ±1.7 pts | 6.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Kentwood building?
Builders took permits for 91 new housing units in Kentwood in 2025 (91 in single-family houses), 1.7 per 1,000 residents against 2.3 across Michigan.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Kentwood work and get to work?
74.1% of Kentwood's workers drive alone and 12.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.5%.
| Measure | Kentwood | Kent County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.7% ±1.9 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% ±1.0 pts | 4.2% | +1.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 74.1% ±2.4 pts | 73.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.3% ±2.0 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.6% ±0.6 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Walked | 0.9% ±0.5 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.0% ±1.7 pts | 14.3% | +8.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.7 min ±0.9 | 21.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Kentwood?
13 census tracts lie mostly in Kentwood, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $48,966 (Tract 126.12) to $145,167 (Tract 126.05).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 126.04Kent County | 6,863 | $113,895 |
| Tract 129.01Kent County | 5,789 | $56,494 |
| Tract 127.03Kent County | 5,699 | $86,222 |
| Tract 127.02Kent County | 5,107 | $96,908 |
| Tract 129.02Kent County | 5,078 | $59,879 |
| Tract 128Kent County | 4,541 | $81,641 |
| Tract 127.05Kent County | 4,405 | $80,449 |
| Tract 126.08Kent County | 4,128 | $56,411 |
| Tract 126.12Kent County | 3,526 | $48,966 |
| Tract 126.05Kent County | 3,246 | $145,167 |
| Tract 127.04Kent County | 2,077 | $67,083 |
| Tract 126.11Kent County | 1,683 | $52,481 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Kentwood) · Census block assignment files
How does Kentwood compare with other places in Michigan?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Kentwood is the 753rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 23rd-most populous of 533 in Michigan.
Kentwood ranks 597th of 1,354 places in Michigan with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 23rd | 533 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 577th | 1,281 |
| Residents per square mile | 97th | 1,356 |
| Median household income | 597th | 1,354 |
| Per capita income | 711th | 1,355 |
| Median home value | 324th | 1,354 |
| Median gross rent | 209th | 1,212 |
| Poverty rate | 611th | 1,213 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 259th | 1,350 |
| Median age | 1,231st | 1,356 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,232nd | 1,356 |
| Work from home | 416th | 1,062 |
| Travel time to work | 1,145th | 1,356 |
Kentwood's figures with every place in Michigan (CSV)
Every place in Michigan, sortable · Compare Kentwood with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Kentwood?
4 of the 57 figures for Kentwood on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Kentwood are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Kentwood.