Kent County’s population increased by 29.2 percent between 1980 and 2000 to reach a total of 574,335 (Table 15). 2003 Census estimates show the County’s population increased to 590,417, which is a 2.8 percent increase over three years. Kent County grew at a much greater rate than Michigan as-a-whole, which increased by 7.3 percent between 1980 and 2000. Projections indicate Kent County’s population will continue to grow and by 2020 will reach 772,201.

Table 15 – Population Trends & Projections

Source: U.S. Census of Population, WMRPC

Kent County’s age distribution (Table 16) is similar to Michigan’s and Region 8’s distribution. The County’s median age is lower than Michigan’s median age of 35.5 and Region 8’s median of 33.0. The County’s only age groups that fall outside of the two comparison groups’ ranges include the under 5 group, which is slightly higher; the 25-34 group, which is higher; and the 55-84 groups, which are lower. The distribution of males and females in Kent County is similar to the State’s distribution.

Kent County has a lower proportion of family households (67.7 percent) than Region 8 or Michigan (Table 17). The percentage of married couple households is between the two comparison areas. The County has a higher proportion of one-parent households than the two comparison areas. Since the County has a low proportion of family households, it follows that it has a higher proportion (32.3 percent) of non-family households than the Region or State. Kent County’s figure of 2.6 persons per household is similar to the comparison areas.

Table 16 – Age and Gender Distribution in 2000

Source: U.S. Census of Population

Table 17 – Household Distribution in 2000

Source: U.S. Census of Population

Between 1999 and 2003 the County experienced a steady labor force, but a declining number of employed people, resulting in an increased unemployment rate (Table 18). The labor force was 329,200 people in 2003, after peaking in 2001. The 2003 annual average was 303,325 employed and 25,875 unemployed.

Table 19 shows that Kent County has a higher proportion of its population employed in the wholesale, retail, and finance sectors than the population in Region 8 or Michigan. These figures indicate the County’s residents’ types of employment and do not represent jobs located within Kent County. The top three job categories (Manufacturing, Education, and Retail) are the same in the County, Region, and State.

Table 18 – Employment Trends

Source: Michigan Department of Career Development, Labor Market Information

Table 19 – Employment Distribution in 2000

Source: U.S. Census of Population

Kent County’s median household income of $45,980 is higher than Region 8’s figure of $45,915 and Michigan’s median of $44,667 (Table 20). The County’s per capita income of $21,629 is between the Region and the State. Kent County has a lower percentage of people living below the poverty level than the State, but a higher proportion than Region 8.

Table 20 – Income and Poverty in 2000

Source: U.S. Census of Population

Table 21 shows that Kent County has a lower percentage of traditional single family homes than the Region 8 or Michigan. The County also has a lower percentage of mobile homes than the two comparison areas. The County has a higher proportion of multiple family housing. Kent County’s occupancy rate of 95.0 percent is higher than Region 8 or Michigan. The median value of owner-occupied in Kent County is similar to the Region and State.

Table 21 – Housing Information in 2000

Source: U.S. Census of Population

Kent County Map

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