Population Statistics

Kent County Projected Population Change 1990-2010

In terms of population, Kent County is the fourth largest county in the State of Michigan, and growing. According to the 2000 Census, Kent County had grown by 14.7% over the prior 10 years. The growth for the State of Michigan over the same period was 6.9%. Current projections indicate that the County’s population will grow to an estimated 607,300 in 2010. The combination of employment opportunities, cost of living, and a high quality of life has Kent County growing at a much faster rate than the State of Michigan. Kent County is now the fastest growing county in the State of Michigan according to a recent survey; its current population is about 600,000. A slight drop in population occurred in the 1980s, but since then the population has seen strong growth.

According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, there were 596,666 people, 224,306 households, and 147,995 families residing in the county. The population density was 259/km² (671/mi²). There were 224,000 housing units at an average density of 101/km² (262/ mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.96% White, 9.35% Black or African American, 2.12% Asian, 4.43% from other races, and 2.15% from two or more races.

Of the 224,000 households, 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. Of all households, 25.60% 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.

In the County, the population was spread out with 7.80% under the age of 5, 27.60% from 5 to 17, 54.3% from 18 to 64, and 10.30% 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.