Population 301,203 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Ottawa County
Household size in Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.58 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.79 | 2.70 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.76 | 2.69 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.68 | 2.66 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.11 | −0.03 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
At 2.68 people per household, Ottawa County sits close to the national average of 2.65. Household size has dropped from 2.79 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only three of Michigan's 83 counties 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 Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.3 | 36.0 | 38.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.6 | 37.2 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.5 | 37.9 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.3 | 38.3 | 41.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.1 | +2.3 | +2.4 | +2.3 |
Ottawa County is a little younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 38.3, against 40.1 nationally. The median age has climbed from 35.3 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Few Michigan counties are younger: only six of 83.
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 Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 11.0% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.9% | 10.9% | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.1% | 10.5% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.0% | 9.7% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.0 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.0% of households in Ottawa County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Compared with other Michigan counties, Ottawa County has a lower share of single-parent households than most.
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 Ottawa County
Renters in Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.2% | 24.7% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.3% | 26.9% | 28.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.3% | 26.6% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 20.7% | 25.4% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | +0.7 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 20.7% of households in Ottawa County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About four in ten owners (40.8%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. The renter share is up 1.5 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.9% | 9.6% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.1% | 8.8% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.4% | 7.1% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.2% | 6.6% | 10.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.7 pts | −3.0 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Ottawa County: 6.2% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Vacancy has fallen 3.7 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only five of Michigan's 83 counties have a lower vacancy rate.
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 Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1974 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1982 | 1974 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1983 | 1976 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1978 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +3 | +6 |
Homes in Ottawa County are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1987, versus 1980 across the U.S. The median year built has moved up from 1981 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the east, while the southwest has the oldest housing. Only two of Michigan's 83 counties have newer homes.
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 Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $787 | $800 | $833 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $829 | $848 | $886 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $922 | $950 | $978 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,285 | $1,285 | $1,228 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$498 | +$485 | +$395 | +$606 |
Rent in Ottawa County runs $1,285 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $498 a month since 2006–10, up 63%, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 30.1% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the east; the most affordable are in the northwest.
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 Ottawa County
Bachelor's degrees in Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.5% | 27.1% | 26.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 30.9% | 29.1% | 27.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 33.9% | 31.9% | 29.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 40.0% | 36.9% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.5 pts | +9.8 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
About four in ten adults 25 and older in Ottawa County (40.0%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a bit above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 10.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the northeast.
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 Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.6% | 88.5% | 88.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.0% | 89.4% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.9% | 91.0% | 90.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.8% | 92.2% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +3.7 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Ottawa County is above the national rate: 93.8% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 3.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.3% | 9.2% | 11.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.6% | 9.0% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.5% | 4.2% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.4% | 3.9% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.0 pts | −5.3 pts | −5.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Ottawa County than nationally: unemployment was 3.4%, against 5.4%. Few Michigan counties have lower unemployment: only five of 83. Unemployment has fallen 4.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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).
Ottawa County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa County | 2.68 | 38.3 | 8.0% | 20.7% | 6.2% | 1987 | $1,285 | 40.0% | 93.8% | 3.4% |
| Kent County | 2.63 | 37.4 | 10.6% | 29.7% | 5.8% | 1976 | $1,388 | 40.7% | 92.0% | 4.1% |
| Ionia County | 2.69 | 39.8 | 11.0% | 22.7% | 7.1% | 1969 | $941 | 18.6% | 90.8% | 3.8% |
| Clinton County | 2.54 | 41.1 | 8.8% | 17.8% | 5.8% | 1981 | $1,160 | 35.8% | 95.4% | 3.6% |
| Shiawassee County | 2.43 | 43.9 | 10.2% | 19.9% | 7.8% | 1967 | $959 | 20.3% | 92.6% | 3.8% |
| Milwaukee County | 2.43 | 36.6 | 15.9% | 50.1% | 8.7% | 1958 | $1,176 | 34.0% | 88.9% | 5.1% |
| Waukesha County | 2.49 | 44.2 | 6.5% | 24.0% | 5.2% | 1981 | $1,484 | 49.2% | 97.2% | 2.3% |
| Genesee County | 2.47 | 41.3 | 14.9% | 29.3% | 8.6% | 1972 | $1,119 | 23.7% | 91.6% | 8.3% |
| Lapeer County | 2.53 | 45.2 | 9.9% | 14.0% | 7.4% | 1979 | $1,141 | 20.6% | 92.2% | 4.9% |
| Jefferson County | 2.41 | 42.1 | 8.8% | 26.9% | 6.3% | 1974 | $1,074 | 28.9% | 92.3% | 3.6% |
| Dane County | 2.29 | 37.9 | 8.0% | 42.9% | 5.0% | 1985 | $1,441 | 55.4% | 95.3% | 2.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Oneida County, NY · Minnehaha County, SD · Mohave County, AZ · Montgomery County, AL · Montgomery County, TN · Muscogee County, GA · New Hanover County, NC · New London County, CT · Niagara County, NY · Norfolk City, VA
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 Ottawa County. 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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