Michigan · GEOID 26081

Kent County

2024 ACS 5-year estimates · population 663,150 · 269,136 housing units

Median household income

$82,631

State $74,099

Median home value

$289,900

State $237,564

Median gross rent

$1,243

State $1,136

Homeownership rate

70.3%

State 73.2%

Renter cost-burden rate

49.0%

≥30% of income

Owner cost-burden rate

16.3%

≥30% of income

Homeowner vacancy

0.3%

Of owner-occupied + for-sale units

Rental vacancy

4.3%

Of renter-occupied + for-rent units

Overall vacancy

4.6%

All housing units

Price-to-income ratio

3.51

Affordable: 2.0–3.0

Section 1

Community Profile

Population, demographics, household composition, and income.

Community Data Summary

	Kent County	Michigan
Population	663,150	10,077,761
Population density (per sq. mi.)	781.16	—
Median household income	$82,631	$74,099
HUD Area Median Income (4-person, 100%)	$106,600	—
Households	256,648	—
Average household size	2.54 people	—
Owner-occupied	70.3%	73.2%
Renter-occupied	29.7%	26.8%
Race	72.5% White · 9.8% Black	0.0% White · 0.0% Black

Source: ACS 5-year 2024 (Tables DP05, S1101, DP04, S1901) and Census Gazetteer (land area); HUD FY2026 Income Limits.

Racial composition

Kent County compared with Michigan.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP05.

Educational attainment (population 25+)

40.8% hold a bachelor's degree or higher (state: 32.4%).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1501.

Median Household Income by Tenure

Owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied household income, county and state.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25119.

Median Household Income by Age of Householder

Median household income by age group of householder.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B19049.

Median Household Income by Number of Earners

Median household income for families with each earner count.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1903.

Household Size

Distribution of households by number of people.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2501.

Income by Number of Earners

Earners	Share	Median income	Attainable monthly housing cost	Attainable home
0 earners	12.6%	$56,312	$1,408	$178,593
1 earner	27.6%	$68,163	$1,704	$222,706
2 earners	46.0%	$121,101	$3,028	$419,759
3+ earners	13.8%	$154,751	$3,869	$545,016

Attainable monthly housing cost = 30% of gross income ÷ 12. Attainable home price assumes 30% housing budget, 30-yr mortgage at 7%, 5% down.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1903; affordability formula derived.

Households

256,648

Average size: 2.54 people

Households with children

73,765

28.7% of households

Per-capita income

$42,992

Poverty rate: 9.1%

Section 2

Residential Market Analysis

Housing stock characteristics — tenure, type, age, size, vacancy, rents.

Tenure

70.3% owner-occupied vs. state average 73.2%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP04.

Structure type

Single-family share 71.4% · Missing middle (2–19 units) 16.8%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25024.

Housing stock by decade

53.8% built before 1980 · Median structure age 1,977.00 yrs.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2504.

Housing size mismatch

Compares the share of housing units by bedroom count against the share of households by size — a common diagnostic of housing supply/demand alignment.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Tables B25041 (bedrooms) and S2501 (household size).

Home value distribution

Owner-occupied homes by value bracket. Median: $289,900.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP04.

Monthly Housing Costs

Distribution of monthly housing costs across all occupied units.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25104.

Number of Bedrooms

Housing units by number of bedrooms.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25041.

Median rent by bedroom

Overall median gross rent: $1,243.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25031.

Renters by age

Number of renter householders by age bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2502.

Owners by age

Number of owner householders by age bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2502.

Vacancy composition

All 12,488 vacant units split into Census's seven categories. Frictional vacancy (units actively on the market) reflects healthy churn. Structural vacancy (seasonal, migrant, other) sits outside the market for year-round residents — high values change how the headline vacancy rate should be read.

Vacant units by type

For sale 3.9% · For rent 27.7% · Seasonal 21.6% · Other 34.4%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25004.

Frictional vs structural

43.4% of vacancy is frictional (for sale + for rent + rented/sold not yet occupied); 56.6% is structural (seasonal + migrant + other).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25004.

Seasonal / recreational share of all housing

1.0%

2,692 units of 269,136 total

Housing units held for seasonal or recreational use.

"Other vacant" share of all housing

1.6%

4,294 units of 269,136 total

Census "Other vacant" — units off the market for reasons other than seasonal, migrant, sale, or rental.

Section 3

Workforce Housing Needs Assessment

Affordability, cost burden, and the housing options for households in the workforce income range.

Workforce range — ACS median household income

80% MHI$66,105

100% MHI$82,631

120% MHI$99,157

County-wide median from ACS 5-year estimates. A household at 100% MHI in Kent County should be able to afford a home up to roughly — (30% housing budget, default mortgage terms).

Workforce range — HUD Area Median Income

	1-person	2-person	4-person
80% AMI	$59,750	$68,250	$85,300
100% AMI	$74,620	$85,280	$106,600
120% AMI	$89,550	$102,350	$127,900

HUD FMR Area: Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI HUD Metro FMR Area. 80% AMI uses HUD's published Section 8 Low Income Limits; 100% is HUD MFI; 120% is the standard workforce convention.

Affordability calculator

Follows the standard 30%-of-gross-income affordability rule.

Income basis Household income Interest rate % Down payment % Taxes & insurance / yr

Affordable monthly—

Affordable home price—

Renter cost burden

49.0% of renter households spend ≥30% of income on rent (23.0% spend ≥50%).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25070.

Owner cost burden by income

16.3% of homeowners spend ≥30% of income on housing. Bars show counts of cost-burdened owners by income bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25106.

Household income — owners vs renters

Distribution of household income for owner-occupied (navy) and renter-occupied (gold) households.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25118.

Section 4

Industry & Workforce Wages

Employment, average wages, and the housing each industry's typical earner can afford in Kent County.

Covered employment

399,160

Across 21 sectors

Establishments

17,707

QCEW 2024

Avg annual pay (workforce)

$62,421

Employment-weighted across sectors

Top 10 sectors by employment

Annual average employment by NAICS 2-digit sector. Counties with fewer than five covered establishments in a sector may show suppressed totals.

Source: BLS QCEW Annual Averages, 2024.

Attainable housing by industry

Industry	Employment	Avg annual wage	Affordable home price	vs. median value	Affordable monthly rent
NAICS 62 Health care and social assistance NAICS 62	67,993	$67,368	$219,747	−$70,153	$1,684
NAICS 31-33 Manufacturing NAICS 31-33	62,796	$76,496	$253,725	−$36,175	$1,912
NAICS 56 Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services NAICS 56	48,794	$34,366	$96,902	−$192,998	$859
NAICS 44-45 Retail trade NAICS 44-45	34,924	$41,636	$123,964	−$165,936	$1,041
NAICS 72 Accommodation and food services NAICS 72	31,658	$26,257	$66,718	−$223,182	$656
NAICS 42 Wholesale trade NAICS 42	27,544	$82,539	$276,219	−$13,681	$2,063
NAICS 23 Construction NAICS 23	20,290	$81,407	$272,005	−$17,895	$2,035
NAICS 54 Professional, scientific, and technical services NAICS 54	19,530	$98,201	$334,518	+$44,618	$2,455
NAICS 52 Finance and insurance NAICS 52	15,055	$99,843	$340,630	+$50,730	$2,496
NAICS 48-49 Transportation and warehousing NAICS 48-49	14,814	$61,762	$198,880	−$91,020	$1,544
NAICS 81 Other services (except public administration) NAICS 81	13,090	$48,242	$148,554	−$141,346	$1,206
NAICS 61 Educational services NAICS 61	10,460	$42,915	$128,725	−$161,175	$1,073
NAICS 92 Public administration NAICS 92	8,075	$75,262	$249,131	−$40,769	$1,882
NAICS 55 Management of companies and enterprises NAICS 55	5,587	$114,527	$395,289	+$105,389	$2,863
NAICS 71 Arts, entertainment, and recreation NAICS 71	4,889	$26,668	$68,248	−$221,652	$667
NAICS 53 Real estate and rental and leasing NAICS 53	4,513	$55,382	$175,131	−$114,769	$1,385
NAICS 51 Information NAICS 51	4,287	$72,156	$237,570	−$52,330	$1,804
NAICS 11 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting NAICS 11	2,741	$42,981	$128,970	−$160,930	$1,075
NAICS 99 Unclassified NAICS 99	1,175	$51,884	$162,110	−$127,790	$1,297
NAICS 22 Utilities NAICS 22	847	$121,237	$420,266	+$130,366	$3,031
NAICS 21 Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction NAICS 21	98	$95,781	$325,510	+$35,610	$2,395

Subsector	Employment	Avg annual wage	Affordable home price	vs. median value	Affordable monthly rent
NAICS 561 Administrative and support services NAICS 561	48,151	$33,849	$94,978	−$194,922	$846
NAICS 622 Hospitals NAICS 622	32,727	$73,889	$244,020	−$45,880	$1,847
NAICS 722 Food services and drinking places NAICS 722	27,801	$24,978	$61,957	−$227,943	$624
NAICS 541 Professional, scientific, and technical services NAICS 541	19,530	$98,201	$334,518	+$44,618	$2,455
NAICS 621 Ambulatory health care services NAICS 621	17,660	$83,489	$279,755	−$10,145	$2,087
NAICS 423 Merchant wholesalers, durable goods NAICS 423	15,756	$85,145	$285,919	−$3,981	$2,129
NAICS 238 Specialty trade contractors NAICS 238	13,619	$78,915	$262,729	−$27,171	$1,973
NAICS 623 Nursing and residential care facilities NAICS 623	10,503	$40,296	$118,976	−$170,924	$1,007
NAICS 611 Educational services NAICS 611	10,460	$42,915	$128,725	−$161,175	$1,073
NAICS 336 Transportation equipment manufacturing NAICS 336	10,340	$70,420	$231,108	−$58,792	$1,761
NAICS 455 General merchandise retailers NAICS 455	8,928	$31,222	$85,199	−$204,701	$781
NAICS 424 Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods NAICS 424	8,612	$74,374	$245,826	−$44,074	$1,859
NAICS 524 Insurance carriers and related activities NAICS 524	8,463	$88,810	$299,561	+$9,661	$2,220
NAICS 333 Machinery manufacturing NAICS 333	8,194	$88,979	$300,191	+$10,291	$2,224
NAICS 326 Plastics and rubber products manufacturing NAICS 326	7,297	$64,216	$208,014	−$81,886	$1,605
NAICS 624 Social assistance NAICS 624	7,103	$37,277	$107,738	−$182,162	$932
NAICS 311 Food manufacturing NAICS 311	6,901	$62,545	$201,794	−$88,106	$1,564
NAICS 921 Executive, legislative, and other general government support NAICS 921	6,046	$70,791	$232,489	−$57,411	$1,770
NAICS 332 Fabricated metal product manufacturing NAICS 332	5,980	$69,760	$228,651	−$61,249	$1,744
NAICS 337 Furniture and related product manufacturing NAICS 337	5,806	$91,200	$308,458	+$18,558	$2,280
NAICS 551 Management of companies and enterprises NAICS 551	5,587	$114,527	$395,289	+$105,389	$2,863
NAICS 441 Motor vehicle and parts dealers NAICS 441	5,483	$62,812	$202,788	−$87,112	$1,570
NAICS 484 Truck transportation NAICS 484	5,195	$68,331	$223,332	−$66,568	$1,708
NAICS 236 Construction of buildings NAICS 236	5,149	$84,905	$285,026	−$4,874	$2,123
NAICS 522 Credit intermediation and related activities NAICS 522	5,019	$92,499	$313,293	+$23,393	$2,312
NAICS 445 Food and beverage retailers NAICS 445	4,897	$33,697	$94,412	−$195,488	$842
NAICS 811 Repair and maintenance NAICS 811	4,635	$66,587	$216,840	−$73,060	$1,665
NAICS 459 Sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers NAICS 459	4,449	$39,234	$115,023	−$174,877	$981
NAICS 813 Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations NAICS 813	4,328	$41,027	$121,697	−$168,203	$1,026
NAICS 721 Accommodation NAICS 721	3,857	$35,481	$101,053	−$188,847	$887
NAICS 812 Personal and laundry services NAICS 812	3,720	$36,023	$103,070	−$186,830	$901
NAICS 492 Couriers and messengers NAICS 492	3,605	$50,690	$157,666	−$132,234	$1,267
NAICS 713 Amusement, gambling, and recreation industries NAICS 713	3,554	$21,088	$47,477	−$242,423	$527
NAICS 531 Real estate NAICS 531	3,450	$54,128	$170,463	−$119,437	$1,353
NAICS 444 Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers NAICS 444	3,179	$45,300	$137,602	−$152,298	$1,133
NAICS 425 Wholesale trade agents and brokers NAICS 425	3,175	$91,776	$310,602	+$20,702	$2,294
NAICS 339 Miscellaneous manufacturing NAICS 339	3,106	$65,975	$214,562	−$75,338	$1,649
NAICS 325 Chemical manufacturing NAICS 325	2,961	$109,223	$375,546	+$85,646	$2,731
NAICS 334 Computer and electronic product manufacturing NAICS 334	2,781	$105,176	$360,481	+$70,581	$2,629
NAICS 493 Warehousing and storage NAICS 493	2,748	$51,147	$159,367	−$130,533	$1,279
NAICS 458 Clothing, clothing accessories, shoe, and jewelry retailers NAICS 458	2,578	$25,611	$64,313	−$225,587	$640
NAICS 449 Furniture, home furnishings, electronics, and appliance retailers NAICS 449	2,153	$63,768	$206,347	−$83,553	$1,594
NAICS 456 Health and personal care retailers NAICS 456	1,839	$44,389	$134,211	−$155,689	$1,110
NAICS 322 Paper manufacturing NAICS 322	1,831	$80,664	$269,239	−$20,661	$2,017
NAICS 491 Postal service NAICS 491	1,818	$68,330	$223,328	−$66,572	$1,708
NAICS 111 Crop production NAICS 111	1,801	$43,900	$132,391	−$157,509	$1,098
NAICS 323 Printing and related support activities NAICS 323	1,787	$57,246	$182,070	−$107,830	$1,431
NAICS 237 Heavy and civil engineering construction NAICS 237	1,523	$91,813	$310,740	+$20,840	$2,295
NAICS 523 Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities NAICS 523	1,469	$186,699	$663,937	+$374,037	$4,667
NAICS 457 Gasoline stations and fuel dealers NAICS 457	1,419	$43,988	$132,719	−$157,181	$1,100
NAICS 335 Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing NAICS 335	1,363	$100,834	$344,319	+$54,419	$2,521
NAICS 321 Wood product manufacturing NAICS 321	1,246	$74,729	$247,147	−$42,753	$1,868
NAICS 999 Unclassified NAICS 999	1,175	$51,884	$162,110	−$127,790	$1,297
NAICS 327 Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing NAICS 327	1,132	$63,079	$203,782	−$86,118	$1,577
NAICS 512 Motion picture and sound recording industries NAICS 512	1,036	$22,622	$53,187	−$236,713	$566
NAICS 513 Publishing industries NAICS 513	994	$78,624	$261,646	−$28,254	$1,966
NAICS 517 Telecommunications NAICS 517	983	$87,536	$294,819	+$4,919	$2,188
NAICS 221 Utilities NAICS 221	847	$121,237	$420,266	+$130,366	$3,031
NAICS 312 Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing NAICS 312	829	$61,148	$196,594	−$93,306	$1,529
NAICS 488 Support activities for transportation NAICS 488	813	$83,843	$281,073	−$8,827	$2,096
NAICS 331 Primary metal manufacturing NAICS 331	775	$63,543	$205,509	−$84,391	$1,589
NAICS 711 Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries NAICS 711	764	$42,977	$128,955	−$160,945	$1,074
NAICS 518 Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services NAICS 518	753	$104,130	$356,588	+$66,688	$2,603
NAICS 562 Waste management and remediation services NAICS 562	643	$73,130	$241,195	−$48,705	$1,828
NAICS 926 Administration of economic programs NAICS 926	634	$61,423	$197,618	−$92,282	$1,536
NAICS 712 Museums, historical sites, and similar institutions NAICS 712	571	$39,579	$116,307	−$173,593	$989
NAICS 922 Justice, public order, and safety activities NAICS 922	548	$113,657	$392,050	+$102,150	$2,841
NAICS 115 Support activities for agriculture and forestry NAICS 115	541	$38,613	$112,711	−$177,189	$965
NAICS 814 Private households NAICS 814	407	$27,739	$72,234	−$217,666	$693
NAICS 112 Animal production and aquaculture NAICS 112	354	$44,131	$133,251	−$156,649	$1,103
NAICS 481 Air transportation NAICS 481	295	$86,378	$290,509	+$609	$2,159
NAICS 516 Broadcasting and content providers NAICS 516	291	$87,135	$293,327	+$3,427	$2,178
NAICS 485 Transit and ground passenger transportation NAICS 485	254	$42,477	$127,094	−$162,806	$1,062
NAICS 314 Textile product mills NAICS 314	250	$60,603	$194,565	−$95,335	$1,515
NAICS 519 Web search portals, libraries, archives, and other information services NAICS 519	231	$77,618	$257,901	−$31,999	$1,940
NAICS 928 National security and international affairs NAICS 928	129	$110,132	$378,929	+$89,029	$2,753
NAICS 313 Textile mills NAICS 313	127	$62,165	$200,380	−$89,520	$1,554
NAICS 925 Administration of housing programs, urban planning, and community development NAICS 925	107	$72,757	$239,807	−$50,093	$1,819
NAICS 923 Administration of human resource programs NAICS 923	104	$97,463	$331,771	+$41,871	$2,437
NAICS 315 Apparel manufacturing NAICS 315	73	$38,709	$113,069	−$176,831	$968
NAICS 113 Forestry and logging NAICS 113	44	$50,788	$158,031	−$131,869	$1,270
NAICS 212 Mining (except oil and gas) NAICS 212	42	$65,770	$213,799	−$76,101	$1,644
NAICS 924 Administration of environmental quality programs NAICS 924	41	$109,478	$376,495	+$86,595	$2,737

Affordable home price assumes the industry's average earner uses 30% of gross income for housing, with a 30-year mortgage at 7%, 5% down, $2,500/yr taxes & insurance, and 0.5% PMI. Adjust the Section 3 calculator for other terms. Affordable rent is 30% of monthly gross pay.

Source: BLS QCEW Annual Averages, 2024; ACS 5-year 2024 (median home value).

Section 5

Wages by Occupation

Selected essential-worker occupations for the MSA or nonmetropolitan area containing this county — jobs, the 10-year change, wages, and the housing each typical earner can afford. Both jobs counts and wages are reported at the MSA / nonmetropolitan-area level (BLS does not publish OEWS at the county level), so every county inside the same area shows the same numbers. For county-accurate employment totals, see Section 4 above.

Occupational wages and affordable housing

Occupation	2025 jobs	2015–2025 change	% change	Hourly wage	Annual wage	Affordable home price	Affordable monthly rent
Fast Food and Counter Workers SOC 35-3023 · prior-year code differs	13,190	530	4%	$14.32	$29,790	$79,869	$745
Cashiers SOC 41-2011	9,670	(1,580)	(14%)	$15.06	$31,330	$85,601	$783
Childcare Workers SOC 39-9011	1,800	160	10%	$15.99	$33,250	$92,748	$831
Janitors and Cleaners SOC 37-2011	11,490	780	7%	$17.66	$36,730	$105,702	$918
Retail Salespersons SOC 41-2031	12,600	(1,970)	(14%)	$18.45	$38,380	$111,844	$960
Home Health and Personal Care Aides SOC 31-1131 · prior-year code differs	5,870	(3,680)	(39%)	$19.37	$40,300	$118,991	$1,008
Tellers SOC 43-3071	1,640	(380)	(19%)	$19.67	$40,910	$121,261	$1,023
Office Clerks, General SOC 43-9061	11,310	(1,410)	(11%)	$22.04	$45,840	$139,613	$1,146
Waiters and Waitresses SOC 35-3031	8,080	(1,170)	(13%)	$22.62	$47,040	$144,079	$1,176
Construction Laborers SOC 47-2061	3,990	1,430	56%	$24.76	$51,510	$160,718	$1,288
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General SOC 49-9071	5,470	(120)	(2%)	$25.05	$52,100	$162,914	$1,303
Paramedics SOC 29-2043 · prior-year code differs	360	(40)	(10%)	$25.10	$52,200	$163,287	$1,305
Firefighters SOC 33-2011	420	20	5%	$27.09	$56,340	$178,697	$1,409
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers SOC 53-3032	10,820	720	7%	$27.40	$56,990	$181,117	$1,425
Carpenters SOC 47-2031	2,840	840	42%	$28.01	$58,260	$185,844	$1,457
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education SOC 25-2021	5,080	860	20%	—	$65,310	$212,086	$1,633
Electricians SOC 47-2111	2,880	710	33%	$31.86	$66,260	$215,623	$1,657
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers SOC 33-3051	1,440	80	6%	$33.61	$69,900	$229,172	$1,748
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters SOC 47-2152	2,270	670	42%	$36.76	$76,460	$253,591	$1,912
Registered Nurses SOC 29-1141	13,740	2,790	25%	$43.23	$89,910	$303,656	$2,248

Affordable home price uses the same Section 3 formula (30% housing budget, 30-year mortgage at 7%, 5% down, $2,500/yr T&I, 0.5% PMI). Affordable rent is 30% of monthly wages. Negative job-change values are shown in red parentheses. A "prior-year code differs" note flags occupations whose SOC code changed between the two vintages (2010 SOC → 2018 SOC) — the change estimate is best-effort.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 (10-year change vs. May 2015). Jobs counts and wages reflect the MSA or nonmetropolitan area containing this county, not the county alone — OEWS is not published at the county level.

Methodology & sources

All figures derive from the 2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. State and national comparisons are population-weighted aggregates of county-level estimates (an approximation; ACS publishes its own state and national medians which can differ slightly).

The affordability calculator uses a 30% housing-budget rule with a 30-year mortgage. Defaults are 7% interest, 5% down, $2,500/year taxes and insurance, and 0.5% PMI — adjustable above.

Variables: 26081 · pulled from Full Housing Data Table.xlsx.