Kent County, Michigan
Encyclopedia : K : KE : KEN : Kent County, Michigan
Kent County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of 2004 census estimates, the population was 593,898. The county seat is Grand Rapids. It is named for New York jurist and legal scholar James Kent, who represented Michigan Territory during the Toledo Strip dispute.
History
The Grand River, the largest in Michigan, runs through the county. On its west bank are burial mounds, remnants of the Hopewell Indians who once lived there. The valley of the river served as an important center for the fur trade in the early 1800s. In 1836, it was set off from Mackinac County. By the end of the century, stimulated by the construction of several sawmills, the area was a significant center for agriculture, logging, and manufacturing furniture.Kent County is now the fastest growing county in the State of Michigan according to a recent survey; its current population is over 600,000. A slight drop in population occurred in the 1980s but since then the population has seen strong growth. Kent County is the economic and manufacturing center of West Michigan, with the Steelcase corporation based in the county. It is also the home of the Frederik Meijer Gardens, a significant cultural landmark of the Midwest. The county is a traditional stronghold for the Republican Party, with a substantial conservative population. Religion has strong ties to the area, and the county is considered a haven for evangelical Christians. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is located within the county.
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 574,335 people, 212,890 households, and 144,126 families residing in the county. The population density was 259/km² (671/mi²). There were 224,000 housing units at an average density of 101/km² (262/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.13% White, 8.93% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 1.86% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.34% from other races, and 2.16% from two or more races. 7.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.There were 212,890 households out of which 35.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% were married couples living together, 11.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 25.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.30% under the age of 18, 10.50% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 19.70% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $45,980, and the median income for a family was $54,770. Males had a median income of $39,878 versus $27,364 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,629. 8.90% of the population and 6.30% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 10.20% are under the age of 18 and 7.50% are 65 or older.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,259 km² (872 mi²). 2,217 km² (856 mi²) of it is land and 41 km² (16 mi²) of it (1.84%) is water.Rivers
The Grand River flows through the county from its eastern border to the west. It has three tributaries in Kent County, listed in order of convergence:- Flat River, enters the county from the east, and joins the Grand from the north, in Lowell.
- Thornapple River, enters the county from the south, and joins the Grand in Ada.
- Rogue River, enters the county from the north, and joins the Grand in Belmont.
Adjacent Counties
- Allegan, to the southwest
- Barry, to the southeast
- Ionia, to the east
- Montcalm, to the northeast
- Muskegon, to the northwest
- Newaygo, to the north
- Ottawa, to the west
Government
The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions — police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.Kent County Elected Officials
- Prosecuting Attorney: William A. Forsyth (Republican)
- Sheriff: Lawrence Stelma (Republican)
- County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Mary Hollinrake (Republican)
- County Treasurer: Kenneth Parrish (Republican)
- Drain Commissioner: Douglas Sporte (Republican)
- County Commission or Board of Commissioners: 19 members, elected from districts (16 Republicans, 3 Democrats)
- Circuit Court: 9 judges (non-partisan)
- Probate Court: 3 judges (non-partisan)
Prominent Former Officials
- Terri Lynn Land, Clerk-Register in 1993-2000, now Michigan Secretary of State
Cities, villages, and townships
Cities, villages, and unincorporated communities
- Alto, unincorporated community
- Belmont, unincorporated community
- Byron Center, CDP
- Caledonia, village
- Casnovia, village
- Cedar Springs, city
- Comstock Park, CDP
- Cutlerville, CDP
- East Grand Rapids, city
- Forest Hills, CDP
- Grand Rapids, city
- Grandville, city
- Kent City, village
- Kentwood, city
- Lowell, city
- Northview, CDP
- Rockford, city
- Sand Lake, village
- Sparta, village
- Walker, city
- Wyoming, city
Townships
- Ada Township
- Algoma Township
- Alpine Township
- Bowne Township
- Byron Township
- Caledonia Township
- Cannon Township
- Cascade Township
- Courtland Township
- Gaines Township
- Grand Rapids Charter Township
- Grattan Township
- Lowell Township
- Nelson Township
- Oakfield Township
- Plainfield Township
- Solon Township
- Sparta Township
- Spencer Township
- Tyrone Township
- Vergennes Township
External links
- [Official Website of Kent County, Michigan]
- [Kent County Webpage at InfoMi]
- [History and Genealogy of Kent County, Michigan]
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