Kent County, Michigan

Kent County
County
Kent County Courthouse
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°02′N 85°33′W
Country	United States
State	Michigan
Founded	March 2, 1831 (created) 1836 (organized)
Named for	James Kent
Seat	Grand Rapids
Largest city	Grand Rapids
Area
• Total	872 sq mi (2,260 km2)
• Land	847 sq mi (2,190 km2)
• Water	25 sq mi (60 km2)  2.9%
Population  (2020)
• Total	657,974
• Density	766/sq mi (296/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts	2nd, 3rd
Website	www.accesskent.com

Kent County is located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the county had a population of 657,974, making it the fourth most populous county in Michigan, and the largest outside of the Detroit area. Its county seat is Grand Rapids. The county was set off in 1831, and organized in 1836. It is named for New York jurist and legal scholar James Kent, who represented the Michigan Territory in its dispute with Ohio over the Toledo Strip.

Kent County is part of the Grand Rapids–Kentwood Metropolitan Statistical Area and is West Michigan's economic and manufacturing center. It is home of the Frederik Meijer Gardens, a significant cultural landmark of the Midwest. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is the county's primary location for regional and international airline traffic.

History

The Grand River runs through the county. On its west bank are burial mounds, remnants of the Hopewell Indians who lived there. In the 18th century the Odawa migrated to this area and established multiple villages along the Grand River valley. By the 19th century there were estimated to be over 1000 Odawa. The fur trade became an important industry in the valley during the early 19th century. After the War of 1812, Rix Robinson and Louis Campau were the earliest traders in the area. In 1826, Campau established a trading post in Grand Rapids. In 1831, he bought land and platted the town. Campau is considered the town's "father". One year later, government surveyor Lucius Lyon purchased land north of Campau's property. Campau surveyed and platted the village following Native American trails and Lyon had platted his property in an English grid format, which meant there were two adjoining villages, with different platting formats. Campau later merged the villages under the name of Grand Rapids.

In 1831, it was set off from Kalamazoo County. In 1838, Grand Rapids was incorporated as the county's first village. By the end of the century, stimulated by the construction of several sawmills, the area was a significant center for agriculture, logging, and manufacturing furniture.

Geography

Rockford Dam in Rockford, Michigan

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 872 square miles (2,260 km²), of which 847 square miles (2,190 km²) is land and 25 square miles (65 km²) (2.9%) is water. Kent County's highest point is Fisk Knob Park, in Solon Township, at 1048 feet.

Rivers

• Grand River, flows through the county from its eastern border to the west, and after passing through Ottawa County, empties into Lake Michigan at Grand Haven. It has three tributaries in Kent County, listed in order of convergence:
• Flat River, enters the county from the east, and joins the Grand from the north, in Lowell.
• Thornapple River, enters the county from the south, and joins the Grand in Ada.
• Rogue River, enters the county from the north, and joins the Grand in Belmont.

Trails

These hiking and biking trails run through the county:

• North Country Trail, runs north–south the length of the county, passing through Cedar Springs, Grattan and Lowell. Lowell is the trail's half-way point, and the national headquarters of the North Country Trail Association is located here.
• Thornapple Trail, begins in Kentwood and runs southeast through Dutton and Caledonia.
• White Pine Trail begins in Comstock Park and runs northeast through Belmont, Rockford, Cedar Springs, and Sand Lake.
• Kent Trails (which is singular in spite of the 's') runs north–south from John Ball Park in Grand Rapids to 84th Street in Byron Township, with an extension that runs east/west along 76th Street and north–south from 76th Street to Douglas Walker Park on 84th street.
• The Frederik Meijer Trail, which, as of November 2008, was incomplete, runs east/west mostly along the M-6 freeway and will connect the Kent Trails and the Thornapple Trail when completed.
• Cannon Township Trail runs through Cannon Township in the eastern part of the county from Cannon Township Center on M-44. It runs along M-44 then south near Sunfish Lake Road, turning east through the Cannonsburg Cemetery, and ends at Warren Townsend Park near Cannonsburg.

Adjacent counties

13 Mile Road in the rural Courtland Township

• Newaygo County - north
• Montcalm County - northeast
• Muskegon County - northwest
• Ionia County - east
• Ottawa County - west
• Allegan County - southwest
• Barry County - southeast

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	2,587		—
1850	12,016		364.5%
1860	30,716		155.6%
1870	50,403		64.1%
1880	73,253		45.3%
1890	109,922		50.1%
1900	129,714		18.0%
1910	159,145		22.7%
1920	183,041		15.0%
1930	240,511		31.4%
1940	246,338		2.4%
1950	288,292		17.0%
1960	363,187		26.0%
1970	411,044		13.2%
1980	444,506		8.1%
1990	500,631		12.6%
2000	574,335		14.7%
2010	602,622		4.9%
2020	657,974		9.2%
2023 (est.)	661,354		0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2019

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 602,622 people living in the county. 76.1% were non-Hispanic White, 10.2% Black or African American, 2.4% Asian, 0.7% Native American, 4.5% of some other race and 2.6% of two or more races. 9.7% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

The Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids

As of the census of 2000, there were 574,335 people, 212,890 households, and 144,126 families living in the county. The current estimated population is 604,323. The population density was 671 inhabitants per square mile (259/km²). There were 224,000 housing units at an average density of 262 per square mile (101/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.13% White, 8.93% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 1.86% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.34% from other races, and 2.16% from two or more races. 7.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

19.6% reported being of Dutch ancestry; 14.9% German, 13.1% English, 7.4% Irish, 7.1% Polish and 5.5% American ancestry according to the 2010 American Community Survey. 90.0% spoke only English at home, while 6.0% spoke Spanish.

There were 212,890 households, out of which 35.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% were married couples living together, 11.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 25.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.20.

The age distribution of the county was as follows: 28.30% were under the age of 18, 10.50% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 19.70% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,980, and the median income for a family was $54,770. Males had a median income of $39,878 versus $27,364 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,629. 8.90% of the population and 6.30% of families were below the poverty line. 10.20% of the population under the age of 18 and 7.50% of those 65 or older were living in poverty.

Transportation

Air service

Commercial air service to Grand Rapids is provided by Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR). Previously named Kent County International Airport, it holds Grand Rapids' mark in modern history with the United States' first regularly scheduled airline service, beginning July 31, 1926, between Grand Rapids and Detroit.

Bus service

Public bus transportation is provided by the Interurban Transit Partnership, which brands itself as "The Rapid." Transportation is also provided by the DASH buses: the "Downtown Area Shuttle." These provide transportation to and from the parking lots in the city of Grand Rapids to various designated loading and unloading spots around the city.

Railroad

Amtrak provides direct train service to Chicago from the passenger station via the Pere Marquette line. Freight service is provided by CN, CSX Transportation, and by a local short-line railroad, the Grand Rapids Eastern Railroad.

Highways

• I-96
• I-196 (Gerald R. Ford Freeway)
• I-296 (concurrent with US 131)
• US 131
• M-6 (Paul B. Henry Freeway, South Beltline Freeway)
• M-11
• M-21
• M-37
• M-44
• M-45 (Lake Michigan Drive)
• M-46
• M-50
• M-57
• M-121

County-designated highways

• A-45
• B-72

Economy

These corporations are headquartered in Kent County, in the following communities:

• Amway, Ada
• American Seating, Grand Rapids
• Bissell Homecare, Walker
• Gordon Food Service, Wyoming
• Meijer, Walker
• Old Orchard, Sparta
• Spartan Stores, Byron Township
• Steelcase, Grand Rapids
• Universal Forest Products, Grand Rapids Township
• Wolverine Worldwide, Rockford
• X-Rite, Kentwood
• Zondervan, Cascade Township

Government

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions—police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc.—are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Elected officials

• Prosecuting Attorney: Chris Becker (Republican)
• Sheriff: Michelle LaJoye-Young (Republican)
• County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Lisa Posthumus Lyons (Republican)
• County Treasurer: Peter MacGregor (Republican)
• Drain Commissioner: Ken Yonker (Republican)
• County Commission or Board of Commissioners: 21 members, elected from districts (12 Republicans, 9 Democrats), Stan Stek (Republican) serves as board chair.
• Circuit Court: 10 judges (non-partisan)
• Probate Court: 3 judges (non-partisan)

(information as of 2022 election)

In 1996, Kent County prosecutors were responsible for charging James King, a College student who was beaten by police. James King was acquitted of all charges.

Politics

United States presidential election results for Kent County, Michigan

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	165,741	45.78%	187,915	51.91%	8,375	2.31%
2016	148,180	47.66%	138,683	44.61%	24,031	7.73%
2012	155,925	53.00%	133,408	45.35%	4,873	1.66%
2008	148,336	48.83%	149,909	49.34%	5,554	1.83%
2004	171,201	58.85%	116,909	40.19%	2,781	0.96%
2000	148,602	59.37%	95,442	38.13%	6,274	2.51%
1996	121,335	54.32%	85,912	38.46%	16,132	7.22%
1992	115,285	47.53%	82,305	33.93%	44,963	18.54%
1988	131,910	63.77%	73,467	35.52%	1,465	0.71%
1984	137,417	67.03%	66,238	32.31%	1,365	0.67%
1980	112,604	54.59%	72,790	35.29%	20,896	10.13%
1976	126,805	67.22%	59,000	31.28%	2,828	1.50%
1972	104,041	59.30%	67,587	38.52%	3,833	2.18%
1968	85,810	53.68%	61,891	38.72%	12,149	7.60%
1964	66,830	43.41%	86,860	56.42%	269	0.17%
1960	95,477	60.70%	61,313	38.98%	506	0.32%
1956	94,969	65.73%	48,871	33.82%	642	0.44%
1952	79,647	62.07%	47,221	36.80%	1,447	1.13%
1948	53,669	54.33%	43,205	43.74%	1,902	1.93%
1944	54,163	54.65%	43,679	44.07%	1,274	1.29%
1940	53,131	52.05%	48,196	47.22%	749	0.73%
1936	36,633	42.94%	44,823	52.55%	3,848	4.51%
1932	42,186	48.64%	41,601	47.97%	2,936	3.39%
1928	56,573	75.12%	18,229	24.21%	508	0.67%
1924	45,207	76.61%	7,982	13.53%	5,819	9.86%
1920	40,802	70.14%	14,763	25.38%	2,610	4.49%
1916	16,095	42.46%	20,364	53.73%	1,444	3.81%
1912	6,498	20.35%	9,412	29.48%	16,016	50.17%
1908	16,576	55.44%	11,445	38.28%	1,880	6.29%
1904	20,254	71.63%	6,430	22.74%	1,593	5.63%
1900	17,861	54.79%	13,775	42.26%	962	2.95%
1896	17,053	54.34%	13,582	43.28%	749	2.39%
1892	12,388	46.31%	11,533	43.11%	2,829	10.58%
1888	12,811	49.41%	11,864	45.76%	1,254	4.84%
1884	9,007	45.74%	9,639	48.95%	1,045	5.31%
1880	8,313	50.26%	5,115	30.92%	3,113	18.82%

Historically, Kent County, like West Michigan as a whole, was a stronghold for the Republican Party. For most of the 20th century, it was rather conservative for an urban county. The GOP only lost the county in four presidential elections from 1888 to 2004, two of which saw the Democratic Party win over 400 electoral votes nationwide. However, the Democrats have received increased support since the 2000s, with Grand Rapids and nearby suburbs supporting the Democratic Party while more rural areas support the Republican Party. Grand Rapids also normally sends Democrats to the state legislature.

In 2008, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama narrowly carried the county, receiving 49.34% of its votes to Republican John McCain's 48.83%. It was the first time the county had supported a Democrat for president since 1964, and only the fourth time since 1884. By comparison, George W. Bush had taken almost 59 percent of the county's vote in 2004.

In 2012, the county returned to the Republican camp as Mitt Romney won 53.0% of the vote to Obama's 45.35%. Four years later, Republican Donald Trump won the county with 47.66% of the vote, to 44.61% for his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, while Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party received 4.58%.

In 2020, Joe Biden received nearly 52% of the votes in the county, the largest vote share for a Democratic candidate since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Biden is only the third Democrat since 1916 to win a majority of the county's vote. By comparison, Obama only won the county by 1,573 votes in 2008 for 49.7 percent of the vote.

Kent County is one of only thirteen counties in the United States to have voted for Obama in 2008, Romney in 2012, Trump in 2016, and Biden in 2020.

Today, the county is considered a bellwether politically. In 2018, Gretchen Whitmer became the first Democratic governor to win the county after James Blanchard's 1986 landslide re-election. Also during the same cycle, incumbent Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow narrowly carried the county by 0.3 points, only the second time (following Carl Levin in 2008) since Donald Riegle in 1982 the county supported a Democrat for Senate.

Despite the county's bellwether status at the federal and state level, it remains very Republican downballot. The GOP still holds most county-level offices, as well as a majority on the county commission.

In the House of Representatives, the bulk of the county has been located in Michigan's 3rd congressional district since the 1993 redistricting cycle. That district had previously been the 5th congressional district from 1873 to 1993. The current Representative for the district is Democrat Hillary Scholten. Until Scholten took office in 2023, the city had been represented by a Republican for all but 35 months since 1913. The only Democrat to represent the city in this time was Richard Vander Veen, first elected in a 1974 special election following the district's long-time Representative Gerald Ford's ascension to Vice President. Vander Veen was ousted by Republican Harold S. Sawyer in 1976, and the GOP held the seat without interruption until Scholten's win in 2022. Further underlining how Republican the county has historically been, the Democrats representing Grand Rapids-based districts in the state legislature were typically the only elected Democrats above the county level until 2023.

A sliver of northern and eastern Kent County, including Cedar Springs and Lowell, is in the 2nd congressional district, represented by Republican John Moolenaar.

Communities

U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Kent County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

A Public Land Survey System survey of Kent County in 1885, showing 24 named townships and sectional subdivisions

Cities

• Cedar Springs
• East Grand Rapids
• Grand Rapids (county seat)
• Grandville
• Kentwood
• Lowell
• Rockford
• Walker
• Wyoming

Villages

• Caledonia
• Casnovia (partial)
• Kent City
• Sand Lake
• Sparta

Charter townships

• Caledonia Charter Township
• Cascade Charter Township
• Gaines Charter Township
• Grand Rapids Charter Township
• Lowell Charter Township
• Plainfield Charter Township

Civil townships

• Ada Township
• Algoma Township
• Alpine Township
• Bowne Township
• Byron Township
• Cannon Township
• Courtland Township
• Grattan Township
• Nelson Township
• Oakfield Township
• Solon Township
• Sparta Township
• Spencer Township
• Tyrone Township
• Vergennes Township

Census-designated places

• Byron Center
• Cannonsburg
• Comstock Park
• Cutlerville
• Forest Hills
• Northview

Other unincorporated communities

• Ada
• Alaska
• Alto
• Belmont
• Cascade
• Chauncey
• Dutton
• Englishville
• Parnell

See also

• Kent District Library
• List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Kent County, Michigan
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Kent County, Michigan

Further reading

• Romig, Walter (1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities. Great Lakes Books. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 978-0814318386.

External links

• Official Website of Kent County, Michigan
• Official GIS Map of Kent County, Michigan
• History and Genealogy of Kent County, Michigan
• Kent County Open Government Project - A non-partisan resource for comparing tax rates, school districts, and local government transparency across Kent County
• "Bibliography on Kent County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 19, 2013.