City · Michigan
Lowell, Michigan
Lowell, city, in Kent County, Michigan. Lowell had 4,134 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 4,142 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 4,139 (±17). GEOID 2649540.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
4,134
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 4,142 · ACS 2020-2024: 4,139 ±17
Median household income
$72,875
±$16,474 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$228,400
±$25,332 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$1,056
±$215 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
Where is Lowell and what county is it in?
Lowell is a city in Kent County, Michigan. It covers 2.9 square miles of land, 1,438 residents per square mile in 2020.
Lowell 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 Lowell, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 4,134 people lived in Lowell on July 1, 2025, down 0.1% since 2020, while Michigan grew 0.5%. The 2020 Census counted 4,142 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 4,139 (±17).
| Measure | Lowell | Kent County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 4,139 ±17 | 663,150 | +43 |
| Households | 1,678 ±155 | 256,648 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.40 ±0.22 | 2.54 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,779 ±169 | 269,136 | no clear change |
Lowell's population since 2000
From 4,013 in 2000 to 4,134 in 2025: up 3.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Lowell 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 Lowell?
The median resident of Lowell is 35.7 years old; 25.9% are under 18 and 16.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.3%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 5.2%.
| Measure | Lowell | Kent County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.7 ±3.9 | 35.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.9% ±4.2 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.8% ±3.8 pts | 14.9% | – |
| Male | 48.8% ±6.8 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.0% ±3.1 pts | 11.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.3% ±6.5 pts | 70.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.6 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 3.2% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.2% ±5.8 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±1.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.7% ±0.8 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.8% ±0.8 pts | 13.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.5% ±2.9 pts | 4.9% | – |
| With a disability | 17.7% ±4.0 pts | 11.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.4% ±1.7 pts | 4.8% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.1% ±3.1 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 29.7% ±5.9 pts | 40.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.8% ±4.8 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 75.0% ±14.8 pts | 87.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 11.3% ±15.4 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 Lowell earn?
Half of Lowell's 1,678 households earn less than $72,875 a year (±$16,474), against $82,631 in Kent County and $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 it was $76,645 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lowell | Kent County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $72,875 ±$16,474 | $82,631 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $82,827 ±$11,403 | $109,612 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,053 ±$5,341 | $42,992 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 4.5% ±2.8 pts | 10.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 1.5% ±2.6 pts | 13.0% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.5% ±3.3 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.7% ±3.5 pts | 95.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.1% ±5.0 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 Lowell?
Owners occupy 70.0% of Lowell's occupied homes and renters 30.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $228,400 by its owner (±$25,332). The median renter pays $1,056 a month including utilities, and 43.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lowell | Kent County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $228,400 ±$25,332 | $289,900 | +$45,888 |
| Median gross rent | $1,056 ±$215 | $1,243 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.7% ±18.3 pts | 39.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,453 ±$145 | $1,603 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.0% ±8.3 pts | 70.3% | +11.1 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 30.0% ±8.3 pts | 29.7% | – |
| Housing units | 1,779 ±169 | 269,136 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0% ±1.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±5.8 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.0% ±8.2 pts | 64.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.8% ±2.7 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.9% ±3.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 11.6% ±5.0 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 23.2% ±9.7 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.4% ±4.4 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 Lowell building?
Builders took permits for 11 new housing units in Lowell in 2025 (11 in single-family houses), 2.7 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 Lowell work and get to work?
76.9% of Lowell's workers drive alone and 8.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.7 minutes.
| Measure | Lowell | Kent County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.6% ±6.0 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 0.5% ±0.8 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 76.9% ±7.2 pts | 73.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.0% ±3.0 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.9% ±1.6 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Walked | 7.9% ±5.2 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.7% ±4.5 pts | 14.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.7 min ±5.8 | 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 Lowell?
1 census tract lies mostly in Lowell, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 120.04Kent County | 4,657 | $73,375 |
| Tract 120.02Kent County | 6,314 | $131,149 |
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 Lowell) · Census block assignment files
How does Lowell compare with other places in Michigan?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Lowell is the 5,422nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 172nd-most populous of 533 in Michigan.
Lowell ranks 641st 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 | 172nd | 533 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 779th | 1,281 |
| Residents per square mile | 238th | 1,356 |
| Median household income | 641st | 1,354 |
| Per capita income | 825th | 1,355 |
| Median home value | 528th | 1,354 |
| Median gross rent | 466th | 1,212 |
| Poverty rate | 1,098th | 1,213 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 413th | 1,350 |
| Median age | 1,198th | 1,356 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,093rd | 1,356 |
| Work from home | 693rd | 1,062 |
| Travel time to work | 727th | 1,356 |
Lowell's figures with every place in Michigan (CSV)
Every place in Michigan, sortable · Compare Lowell 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 Lowell?
20 of the 57 figures for Lowell 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 Lowell 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 Lowell.