1st Advantage Mortgage40% of Kent County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $82,631 (ACS 2020-24). Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Kent County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Kent County, MI: the basics
- Kent County industries and commutes
- How Kent County ranks in Michigan
- Household income in Kent County
- What it costs to live in Kent County
- Kent County communities by population
- Regional comparison for Kent County
- Before borrowing in Kent County
- A Kent County household budget, worked through
- Kent County households compared
- Licensing and complaints for Kent County
- Four steps for Kent County borrowers
- More guides for Kent County
- Frequently asked questions
Kent County, MI: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Kent County's population at 663,150; only 3 of Michigan's 83 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 849 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 781 per square mile. Metro area: Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI (OMB, 2023). Of the 20 Census places inside Kent County, Grand Rapids leads by population with about 198,535; 14 of the 20 are incorporated.
Kent County industries and commutes
Top Kent County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 24%; second, manufacturing, 18%. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.2% in Kent County. About 73% drive to work alone and 7% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 6.2% of the total (7.0% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Kent County workers | vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.8% | +0.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.0% | -0.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.7% | +1.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.0% | +0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.9% | -0.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.8% | +0.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How Kent County ranks in Michigan
- The housing vacancy rate: 5% in Kent County. Only 1 of 83 Michigan counties are lower. Few vacant units can mean a tight housing market.
- Population: 663,150 in Kent County. Only 3 of 83 Michigan counties are higher. More people usually means more banks and credit unions to compare nearby.
- Few Michigan counties match Kent County on median gross rent: $1,243/mo here, $1,129/mo for the state, ranking 5th highest of 83. Rent this high leaves less room in a debt-to-income test.
- Median age: 35.9 in Kent County. Only 5 of 83 Michigan counties are lower. Younger borrowers often have thin credit files; a co-signer or credit union may help.
Household income in Kent County
Median household income in Kent County: $82,631 (13% above Michigan, $72,875).
| Income band | Share in Kent County | Difference from Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.0% | -5.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.5% | +0.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.5% | +3.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.0% | +1.5 pts |
About 18% of households earn under $35,000, while 40% clear $100,000. 10.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.2%). None of these numbers decides a Kent County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
What it costs to live in Kent County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,243 in Kent County versus $1,129 statewide. About 5 in 10 Kent County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Kent County homes are worth $289,900 at the median, a 3.5-to-1 ratio to income. In Kent County, 70% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. The median home was built in 1977, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills. Nationally, Kent County's $1,243 rent is 42% above the middle county.
| Home costs | Kent County | Michigan | Compared with Michigan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacant units | 5% | 12% | -7.2 pts |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 23% | -3.4 pts |
| Owners | 70% | 73% | -2.9 pts |
| Median home value | $289,900 | $231,600 | 25% higher |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 50% | -1.4 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,243/mo | $1,129/mo | 10% higher |
Kent County communities by population
20 Census places fall mainly inside Kent County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 486,637 residents, leaving about 27% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $57,979 in Cedar Springs to $166,610 in East Grand Rapids. Median rent ranges from $983 in Sparta to $1,958 in Forest Hills. 3 of them have a separate city guide (linked). For the rest, this is the local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids | city | 198,535 | $69,108 | $1,266 | 7 mi |
| Wyoming | city | 77,353 | $73,677 | $1,196 | 13 mi |
| Kentwood | city | 54,296 | $74,373 | $1,260 | 10 mi |
| Forest Hills | CDP | 28,695 | $158,005 | $1,958 | 6 mi |
| Walker | city | 25,386 | $76,360 | $1,202 | 11 mi |
| Cutlerville | CDP | 18,780 | $67,327 | $1,254 | 15 mi |
| Grandville | city | 16,356 | $78,442 | $1,143 | 14 mi |
| Northview | CDP | 15,268 | $85,403 | $1,247 | 3 mi |
| East Grand Rapids | city | 11,445 | $166,610 | $1,862 | 7 mi |
| Comstock Park | CDP | 10,577 | $59,984 | $1,189 | 7 mi |
| Byron Center | CDP | 7,403 | $122,553 | $1,517 | 18 mi |
| Rockford | city | 6,218 | $107,121 | $1,111 | 7 mi |
| Sparta | village | 4,271 | $60,728 | $983 | 12 mi |
| Lowell | city | 4,139 | $72,875 | $1,056 | 12 mi |
Regional comparison for Kent County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Kent County's, from 25 to 43 miles away. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Kent County; Ottawa County is highest at $90,502 and Mecosta County lowest at $60,951.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent County | - | $82,631 | $1,243/mo | 70% |
| Ionia County, MI | 25 mi | $75,611 | $884/mo | 77% |
| Montcalm County, MI | 28 mi | $67,344 | $869/mo | 83% |
| Barry County, MI | 33 mi | $77,500 | $972/mo | 87% |
| Ottawa County, MI | 34 mi | $90,502 | $1,211/mo | 79% |
| Newaygo County, MI | 39 mi | $63,304 | $904/mo | 87% |
| Mecosta County, MI | 43 mi | $60,951 | $934/mo | 77% |
Before borrowing in Kent County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Kent County borrowers.
- Higher earners. 40% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Renters under pressure. When 49% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Kent County borrower sees (free reports).
A Kent County household budget, worked through
Kent County's $82,631 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- $6,886 a month: gross income for a household at the Kent County median
- Rent at the median, $1,243, takes 18% of that
- At 35%, room after rent is $1,167 a month
- $1,856: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Kent County households compared
In Kent County, 41% of adults have at least a four-year degree (32% in Michigan). Uninsured, Kent County: 4.8%; Michigan: 4.9%.
| Measure | Kent County | Gap to Michigan | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 40.8% | +8.4 pts | +18.6 pts |
| Median age | 35.9 | -4.3 yrs | -5.6 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 10.1% | -3.2 pts | -3.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | -1.5 pts | -0.3 pts |
| Work from home | 14.3% | +0.8 pts | +5.6 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.2% | -0.8 pts | +0.8 pts |
| No high school diploma | 7.7% | -0.2 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.8% | -0.1 pts | -3.0 pts |
| Commute length | Kent County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 47.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.6% |
| 60+ min | 3.7% |
Licensing and complaints for Kent County
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is the place to verify any lender's Michigan license. Nationally, Kent County residents can file with the CFPB.
Four steps for Kent County borrowers
Steps that save money for Kent County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Verify the Michigan license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
More guides for Kent County
City guides inside Kent County, and the statewide guide:
Frequently asked questions
Is Kent County a high-income county?
Its $82,631 median ranks 8th of 83 Michigan counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What is the median rent in Kent County, MI?
$1,243 a month, utilities included, or $14,916 a year.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Kent County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 70% of Kent County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
How many towns are in Kent County?
The Census Bureau counts 20 places mainly in the county, led by Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Kentwood, Forest Hills, Walker.
Does living in Kent County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Kent County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.