County · Michigan
Ottawa County, Michigan
Ottawa County, Michigan. Ottawa County had 308,459 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.1% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). It holds 29 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs, 17 towns and townships and 5 census-designated) and 65 census tracts. GEOID 26139.
Ottawa 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
308,459
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 296,200 · ACS 2020-2024: 301,203
Median household income
$90,502
±$1,860 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$323,400
±$4,476 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$1,211
±$30 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
How many people live in Ottawa County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 296,200 residents in Ottawa County. The Census Bureau estimates 308,459 for July 1, 2025, up 4.1% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 301,203 over 564 square miles of land.
| Measure | Ottawa County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 301,203 | 10,077,761 | +14,645 |
| Households | 111,322±737 | 4,076,369 | +8,712 |
| Average household size | 2.61±0.02 | 2.42 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 117,604±134 | 4,622,236 | +8,544 |
Ottawa County's population since 2000
From 238,314 in 2000 to 308,459 in 2025: up 29.4%. 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 Ottawa County?
Ottawa County holds 29 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 17 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Georgetown Charter Township with 55,682 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Georgetown Charter Township | 54,091 | $102,150 |
|---|---|---|
| Holland Charter Township | 38,276 | $84,279 |
| Allendale | 27,073 | $70,150 |
| Holland | 34,378 | $75,865 |
| Allendale Charter Township | 26,582 | $81,683 |
| Park Township, Ottawa County | 18,625 | $110,402 |
| Grand Haven Charter Township | 18,004 | $99,592 |
| Jenison | 16,640 | $89,593 |
| Spring Lake Township | 15,296 | $97,451 |
| Zeeland Charter Township | 12,008 | $113,750 |
| Grand Haven | 11,011 | $60,669 |
| Jamestown Charter Township | 9,630 | $119,676 |
| Tallmadge Charter Township | 8,802 | $100,721 |
| Hudsonville | 7,629 | $91,280 |
| Blendon Township | 7,081 | $95,288 |
| Robinson Township | 6,382 | $98,947 |
| Zeeland | 5,719 | $52,628 |
| Port Sheldon Township | 5,206 | $107,400 |
| Olive Township, Ottawa County | 5,007 | $80,208 |
| Coopersville | 4,828 | $67,131 |
| Crockery Township | 4,572 | $89,700 |
| Wright Township, Ottawa County | 3,190 | $87,344 |
| Beechwood | 3,121 | $71,275 |
| Ferrysburg | 2,952 | $70,400 |
| Polkton Charter Township | 2,565 | $112,708 |
| Spring Lake | 2,497 | $88,365 |
| Chester Township, Ottawa County | 2,096 | $79,875 |
| LamontGEOID 2645440 | 1,094 | $150,438 |
| NunicaGEOID 2659520 | 351 | $60,515 |
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 Ottawa County?
The median resident of Ottawa County is 36.5 years old; 23.0% are under 18 and 16.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 81.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.3%. 5.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ottawa County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.5±0.1 | 40.2 | +1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 23.0% | 21.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.7%±0.1 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.3% | 5.9% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 81.7%±0.3 pts | 72.4% | −2.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.5%±0.1 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.7%±0.1 pts | 3.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±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 | 3.2%±0.3 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.1%±0.3 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.1%±0.4 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.7%±0.3 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 10.1%±0.5 pts | 14.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.3%±0.4 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.4%±0.4 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 38.9%±1.1 pts | 32.4% | +4.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.6%±0.7 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±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 Ottawa County earn?
Half of Ottawa County's 111,322 households earn less than $90,502 a year (±$1,860), against $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 the median was $85,304 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,198 after inflation. 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ottawa County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $90,502±$1,860 | $72,875 | +$5,198 |
| Mean household income | $115,371±$3,014 | $98,700 | – |
| Per capita income | $42,799±$1,053 | $40,735 | +$3,574 |
| People below the poverty line | 8.3%±0.7 pts | 13.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.6%±1.4 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.0%±0.6 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.0%±0.6 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 Ottawa County?
Owners occupy 79.3% of Ottawa County's occupied homes and renters 20.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $323,400 by its owner (±$4,476). The median renter pays $1,211 a month including utilities, and 39.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ottawa County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $323,400±$4,476 | $231,600 | +$87,353 |
| Median gross rent | $1,211±$30 | $1,129 | +$106 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.8%±3.2 pts | 41.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,656±$21 | $1,569 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.3%±0.9 pts | 73.2% | +1.6 pts |
| Housing units | 117,604±134 | 4,622,236 | +8,544 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.2%±1.2 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.7%±0.9 pts | 72.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.4%±0.5 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.7%±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.8%±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 Ottawa County building?
Builders took permits for 1,411 new housing units across Ottawa County in 2025 (868 single-family), 4.6 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 Ottawa County get to work?
77.4% of Ottawa County's workers drive alone and 10.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.5%.
| Measure | Ottawa County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.9%±0.7 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5%±0.5 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.4%±1.0 pts | 74.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.1%±0.7 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 2.7%±0.4 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.3%±0.7 pts | 13.5% | +6.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.1 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 Ottawa County's census tracts?
Ottawa County is divided into 65 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $36,464 (Tract 245.02) to $150,724 (Tract 246).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Ottawa County compare with Michigan's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 7th of 83 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 10th of 83 |
| Residents per square mile | 7th of 83 |
| Median household income | 4th of 83 |
| Median home value | 6th of 83 |
| Median gross rent | 7th of 83 |
| Poverty rate | 78th of 83 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11th of 83 |
| Median age | 77th 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 Ottawa 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.