Population 5,456 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Kent City
Household size in Kent City
| Period | Kent City | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.88 | 2.69 | 2.58 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.91 | 2.70 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.07 | 2.69 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.90 | 2.66 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.02 | −0.03 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Kent City holds 2.90 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Households are largest in the southeast and smallest in the center. Of the 331 Michigan cities with 5,000+ people, only 12 have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Kent City
| Period | Kent City | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.9 | 36.0 | 38.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.0 | 37.2 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.8 | 37.9 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.4 | 38.3 | 41.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.5 | +2.3 | +2.4 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Kent City is 38.4 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 35.9 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the southeast, the oldest in the northwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Kent City
| Period | Kent City | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.6% | 11.0% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 10.9% | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 15.4% | 10.5% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.7% | 9.7% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.9 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Kent City: 7.7% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has fallen 2.9 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Kent City
Renters in Kent City
| Period | Kent City | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.9% | 24.7% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.1% | 26.9% | 28.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.6% | 26.6% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 13.2% | 25.4% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | +0.7 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 13.2% of households in Kent City rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 38.7% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the northwest and least common in the center. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged down 0.7 points, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Kent City
| Period | Kent City | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.8% | 9.6% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.8% | 8.8% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.9% | 7.1% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.2% | 6.6% | 10.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −3.0 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 4.2% of homes in Kent City are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 3.5 points, mirroring the country. Kent City has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five Michigan cities.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Kent City
| Period | Kent City | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1976 | 1974 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1974 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1981 | 1976 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1978 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +3 | +6 |
Homes in Kent City are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1982, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1976 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the east.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Kent City
| Period | Kent City | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $791 | $800 | $833 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $873 | $848 | $886 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $799 | $950 | $978 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,100 | $1,285 | $1,228 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$309 | +$485 | +$395 | +$606 |
Rent in Kent City runs $1,100 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $309 a month since 2006–10, up 39%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.1% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the east; the most affordable are in the southwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Kent City
Bachelor's degrees in Kent City
| Period | Kent City | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 27.1% | 26.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.1% | 29.1% | 27.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.4% | 31.9% | 29.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.6% | 36.9% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.6 pts | +9.8 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Kent City: 16.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 7.6 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the center.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Kent City
| Period | Kent City | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.5% | 88.5% | 88.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.1% | 89.4% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.5% | 91.0% | 90.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.2% | 92.2% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.7 pts | +3.7 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Kent City have finished high school as nationally: 89.2%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in the Grand Rapids area overall (92.2%). The share with a diploma has risen 4.7 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Kent City
| Period | Kent City | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.7% | 9.2% | 11.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.4% | 9.0% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 4.2% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.0% | 3.9% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | −5.3 pts | −5.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Kent City: 8.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only 32 of the 331 Michigan cities with 5,000+ people have higher unemployment. Unemployment has edged up 1.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Kent City compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent City | 2.90 | 38.4 | 7.7% | 13.2% | 4.2% | 1982 | $1,100 | 16.6% | 89.2% | 8.0% |
| Casnovia | 3.24 | 33.6 | 9.1% | 15.4% | 3.5% | 1975 | $1,105 | 20.9% | 91.9% | 8.2% |
| Sun | 2.84 | 39.0 | 7.6% | 17.7% | 7.8% | 1987 | $992 | 16.1% | 90.3% | 8.1% |
| Sparta | 2.63 | 40.9 | 8.5% | 11.2% | 4.3% | 1979 | $1,004 | 29.2% | 92.5% | 6.2% |
| Bailey | 3.14 | 36.4 | 9.8% | 9.2% | 7.1% | 1977 | $967 | 19.9% | 92.3% | 6.7% |
| Edgerton | 2.82 | 42.5 | 7.0% | 1.3% | 2.6% | 1989 | $1,110 | 26.5% | 97.2% | 0.9% |
| Slocum | 2.85 | 39.0 | 7.7% | 12.7% | 6.2% | 1980 | $986 | 21.1% | 92.6% | 4.2% |
| Wright | 2.98 | 37.0 | 7.4% | 5.5% | 6.8% | 1980 | $1,288 | 31.2% | 94.4% | 2.6% |
| Grant | 2.70 | 39.3 | 8.7% | 17.1% | 11.0% | 1987 | $915 | 18.1% | 90.9% | 4.3% |
| Cedar Springs | 2.59 | 42.9 | 10.3% | 12.9% | 4.8% | 1990 | $1,134 | 23.7% | 93.9% | 3.7% |
| Conklin | 2.67 | 39.0 | 6.6% | 11.1% | 6.3% | 1974 | $1,123 | 22.9% | 92.8% | 3.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Stuart, VA · Boiling Springs, NC · Brighton, IL · Bristol, NH · Cave Junction, OR · Chicora, PA · Coeburn, VA · Colgate, WI · East Hampton North, NY · Kingston Springs, TN
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Kent City. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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