County · Michigan
Kent County, Michigan
Kent County, Michigan. Kent County had 675,232 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.6% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). It holds 41 places (14 cities, villages and boroughs, 21 towns and townships and 6 census-designated) and 145 census tracts. GEOID 26081.
Kent County is one of the 5 counties of the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
675,232
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 657,974 · ACS 2020-2024: 663,150
Median household income
$82,631
±$1,165 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$289,900
±$2,942 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$1,243
±$18 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
How many people live in Kent County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 657,974 residents in Kent County. The Census Bureau estimates 675,232 for July 1, 2025, up 2.6% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 663,150 over 849 square miles of land.
| Measure | Kent County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 663,150 | 10,077,761 | +15,029 |
| Households | 256,648±994 | 4,076,369 | +14,902 |
| Average household size | 2.54±0.01 | 2.42 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 269,136±174 | 4,622,236 | +14,112 |
Kent County's population since 2000
From 574,335 in 2000 to 675,232 in 2025: up 17.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Kent County?
Kent County holds 41 places: 14 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 21 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Grand Rapids with 201,183 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Grand Rapids | 198,917 | $69,108 |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 76,501 | $73,677 |
| Kentwood | 54,304 | $74,373 |
| Plainfield Charter Township | 33,535 | $94,218 |
| Gaines Charter Township | 28,812 | $82,738 |
| Forest Hills | 28,573 | $158,005 |
| Byron Township | 26,927 | $91,481 |
| Walker | 25,132 | $76,360 |
| Cascade Charter Township | 19,667 | $135,896 |
| Grand Rapids Charter Township | 18,905 | $123,246 |
| Cutlerville | 17,849 | $67,327 |
| Grandville | 16,083 | $78,442 |
| Caledonia Township, Kent County | 15,811 | $111,365 |
| Northview | 15,301 | $85,403 |
| Ada Township | 14,388 | $168,468 |
| Cannon Township | 14,379 | $131,956 |
| Alpine Township | 14,079 | $67,807 |
| Algoma Township | 12,055 | $123,078 |
| East Grand Rapids | 11,371 | $166,610 |
| Comstock Park | 10,500 | $59,984 |
| Sparta Township | 9,395 | $76,346 |
| Courtland Township | 9,005 | $107,321 |
| Byron Center | 7,431 | $122,553 |
| Solon Township, Kent County | 6,496 | $86,958 |
| Lowell Charter Township | 6,276 | $104,794 |
| Rockford | 6,142 | $107,121 |
| Oakfield Township | 6,107 | $103,411 |
| Tyrone Township, Kent County | 5,021 | $69,773 |
| Nelson Township | 4,895 | $66,735 |
| Vergennes Township | 4,741 | $113,482 |
| Sparta | 4,244 | $60,728 |
| Spencer Township | 4,163 | $82,571 |
| Lowell | 4,142 | $72,875 |
| Grattan Township | 3,809 | $111,354 |
| Cedar Springs | 3,627 | $57,979 |
| Bowne Township | 3,289 | $120,859 |
| Caledonia | 1,622 | $106,250 |
| Kent City | 1,262 | $76,587 |
| Sand Lake, Kent County | 522 | $34,286 |
| CannonsburgGEOID 2613100 | 203 | not published |
| Casnovia | 316 | $76,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Kent County?
The median resident of Kent County is 35.9 years old; 23.5% are under 18 and 14.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 70.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 11.7%. 8.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Kent County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.9±0.1 | 40.2 | +0.6 |
| Under 18 years | 23.5%±0.1 pts | 21.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.9%±0.1 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11.7% | 5.9% | +1.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 70.4%±0.2 pts | 72.4% | −3.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.4%±0.2 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.2%±0.1 pts | 3.4% | +0.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.6%±0.3 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.9%±0.3 pts | 7.2% | +0.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.1%±0.5 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.9%±0.3 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 11.0%±0.3 pts | 14.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.8%±0.3 pts | 4.9% | −1.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.3%±0.4 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 40.8%±0.7 pts | 32.4% | +5.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.7%±0.5 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6%±0.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
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 Kent County earn?
Half of Kent County's 256,648 households earn less than $82,631 a year (±$1,165), against $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 the median was $77,599 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,032 after inflation. 10.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Kent County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $82,631±$1,165 | $72,875 | +$5,032 |
| Mean household income | $109,612±$1,786 | $98,700 | – |
| Per capita income | $42,992±$653 | $40,735 | +$2,965 |
| People below the poverty line | 10.1%±0.5 pts | 13.2% | −1.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.0%±1.1 pts | 17.6% | −2.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.3%±0.5 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.2%±0.5 pts | 90.5% | – |
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 Kent County?
Owners occupy 70.3% of Kent County's occupied homes and renters 29.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $289,900 by its owner (±$2,942). The median renter pays $1,243 a month including utilities, and 39.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Kent County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $289,900±$2,942 | $231,600 | +$76,128 |
| Median gross rent | $1,243±$18 | $1,129 | +$137 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.9%±1.6 pts | 41.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,603±$19 | $1,569 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.3%±0.7 pts | 73.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 269,136±174 | 4,622,236 | +14,112 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.3%±0.8 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 64.9%±0.6 pts | 72.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.8%±0.2 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.6%±0.6 pts | 14.6% | – |
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 Kent County building?
Builders took permits for 2,398 new housing units across Kent County in 2025 (1,242 single-family), 3.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Kent County get to work?
73.2% of Kent County's workers drive alone and 14.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.2%.
| Measure | Kent County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.8%±0.5 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2%±0.3 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 73.2%±0.7 pts | 74.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.8%±0.5 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.5%±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 2.0%±0.2 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.3%±0.5 pts | 13.5% | +9.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.0 min±0.3 | 24.2 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 are Kent County's census tracts?
Kent County is divided into 145 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $29,450 (Tract 36) to $182,072 (Tract 122.02).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Kent County compare with Michigan's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 4th of 83 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 19th of 83 |
| Residents per square mile | 4th of 83 |
| Median household income | 8th of 83 |
| Median home value | 8th of 83 |
| Median gross rent | 5th of 83 |
| Poverty rate | 68th of 83 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8th of 83 |
| Median age | 78th of 83 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Kent County 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' school search.