Kent County, Michigan Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 4th-largest in Michigan
The population of Kent County, Michigan is 658,844 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 4th-largest county in Michigan. The median household income is $80,390, the median home value is $265,700, and the median age is 35.7.
The population of Kent County has grown 11.6% since 2010 (602,994 → 673,002), a +0.79% annualized rate.
658,844
Population
+0.79%
Annual growth
776
People / sq mi
$80,390
Median Income
$265,700
Median Home Value
Kent County covers 849 sq mi of land at 776.1 people per square mile.
About Kent County, MI
What distinguishes Kent County is density: among the most densely settled of US counties, around 776 people per square mile. Kent County is a county in Michigan with a population of 658,844. That makes it one of the ten largest counties in Michigan in the country, at #4 by population.
Households take in a median $80,390, comfortably near the US median of $78,538. Only 6.9% of residents live in poverty, below the national 12.4%. A typical home is worth $265,700, with typical rent around $1,176.
Kent County is among the best-educated US counties: 39.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national 35.0%. A solid 12.7% of workers are based at home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 21 minutes each way.
That density explains much of the rest of the profile in Kent County: denser places lean toward renting, shorter commutes by transit, and a younger working-age mix.
Kent County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Kent County had a population of 602,994 in 2010 and 673,002 in 2024, a 11.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 673,002 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.79%.
673,002
Population (2024)
602,994
Population (2010)
673,002
Peak (2024)
0.79%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 602,994 |
| 2011 | 608,543 |
| 2012 | 615,871 |
| 2013 | 624,409 |
| 2014 | 631,464 |
| 2015 | 637,333 |
| 2016 | 644,219 |
| 2017 | 649,722 |
| 2018 | 653,636 |
| 2019 | 656,800 |
| 2020 | 658,524 |
| 2021 | 658,979 |
| 2022 | 660,134 |
| 2023 | 665,109 |
| 2024 | 673,002 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 73.9% |
| Black or African American | 9.5% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
35.7
Median Age
50.3%
Female
49.7%
Male
14.4%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 19.6% · Seniors (65+): 14.4%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $80,390+$9,241 vs state |
| Mean household income | $105,864 |
| Per-capita income | $41,504 |
| Poverty rate | 6.9%-1.9% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% |
| Employment-to-population | 66.1% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Kent County is professional & business services, accounting for 23.5% of workers.
How residents commute
1.6%
Drive alone
1.9%
Carpool
74.5%
Public transit
12.7%
Work from home
21.1 min
Avg commute
Housing
$265,700+$48,100 vs state
Median home value
$1,176
Median rent
70.4%
Homeownership rate
267,071
Total housing units
95.4%
Occupied
4.6%
Vacant
29.6%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
95.1%
With health insurance
95.2%
With broadband internet
15.6%
Foreign-born
5.2%
Veterans (18+)
10.8%
With a disability
87.4%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
92.3%
High School+
39.6%
Bachelor's+
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County rankings
Common questions about Kent County, MI
Frequently Asked Questions
Kent County, Michigan has a population of 658,844 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 4th-largest county in Michigan. Population density is 776 people per square mile.
The population of Kent County has grown 11.6% since 2010 (602,994 → 673,002), a +0.79% annualized rate.
The median household income in Kent County, Michigan is $80,390, with mean (average) household income of $105,864 and per-capita income of $41,504. 6.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Kent County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (73.9%), Black or African American (9.5%), Hispanic or Latino (1.6%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Kent County, Michigan is 35.7 years. Residents are 50.3% female and 49.7% male.
The median home value in Kent County is $265,700 and median monthly rent is $1,176. 70.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 267,071 total housing units, 4.6% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Kent County, Michigan is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 23.5% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.9%.
Detroit is among the largest cities associated with Kent County, Michigan, with a population of 636,644.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.