Ottawa County, MI

County

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2024 Population

301,203

US Senator

Gary Peters

Democratic Party

US Senator

Elissa Slotkin

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

36.5

0.551% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

8.31%

1.93% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$90,502

3.85% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$323,400

11.1% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

155,354

0.413% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Ottawa County, MI reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.5% of the residents in Ottawa County, MI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Ottawa County, MI are Grand Valley State University (6,170 degrees awarded in 2023), Hope College (826 degrees), and French Academy of Cosmetology (74 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Ottawa County, MI was $323,400, and the homeownership rate was 79.3%.

Most people in Ottawa County, MI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Ottawa County, MI was 2 cars per household.

Ottawa County, MI borders Allegan County, MI, Kent County, MI, Muskegon County, MI, Milwaukee County, WI, and Racine County, WI.

About the photo: Ferrysburg, Michigan

Photo by wsilver

United States Michigan Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI

Population & Diversity

Ottawa County, MI is home to a population of 301k people, from which 97.5% are citizens. As of 2024, 5.02% of Ottawa County, MI residents were born outside of the country (15.1k people).

In 2024, there were 20.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (246k people) in Ottawa County, MI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 12k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 9.46k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.5%

2024 Citizenship

97.7%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 97.5% of Ottawa County, MI residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Ottawa County, MI was 97.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Ottawa County, MI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Ottawa County, MI

White (Non-Hispanic)
246k ± 812
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
12k ± 1.22k
Other (Hispanic)
9.46k ± 1.08k

10.3%

Hispanic Population

30.9k people

10.3% of the people in Ottawa County, MI are hispanic (30.9k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Ottawa County, MI as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Michigan.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
80,580 ± 6,941 people
India
77,204 ± 6,795 people
Iraq
54,457 ± 5,714 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Michigan was Mexico, the natal country of 80,580 Michigan residents, followed by India with 77,204 and Iraq with 54,457.

Foreign-Born Population

5.02%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

15.1k people

4.95%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

14.8k people

As of 2024, 5.02% of Ottawa County, MI residents (15.1k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Ottawa County, MI was 4.95%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Ottawa County, MI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,870 ± 363
Gulf War (2001-)
2,087 ± 366
Gulf War (1990s)
1,505 ± 321

Ottawa County, MI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.85 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Ottawa County, MI.

Economy

The economy of Ottawa County, MI employs 155k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Ottawa County, MI were Manufacturing (34,489 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (20,787 people), and Retail Trade (16,053 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($109,783), Public Administration ($72,624), and Wholesale Trade ($71,830).

Employment

Occupations

155k

2024 Value

± 3,123

0.413%

1 Year growth

± 2.86%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Ottawa County, MI grew at a rate of 0.413%, from 155k employees to 155k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Ottawa County, MI, are Management Occupations (18,317 people), Production Occupations (15,725 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (15,332 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Ottawa County, MI.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Michigan.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Michigan (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

155k

2024 Value

± 3,123

0.413%

1 Year growth

± 2.86%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Ottawa County, MI grew at a rate of 0.413%, from 155k employees to 155k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Ottawa County, MI, are Manufacturing (34,489 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (20,787 people), and Retail Trade (16,053 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Ottawa County, MI, though some of these residents may live in Ottawa County, MI and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$60,169

Median earning men ± $1,076

$36,817

Median earning women ± $842

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($85,000), Public Administration ($82,577), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($82,402).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($60,296), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($55,120), and Construction ($51,326).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Michigan.

Y-Axis

2.16%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.37M people employed in Michigan. This represents a 2.16% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 23.6%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Michigan.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

688
Construction
429
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
398
Other Services (except Public Administration)

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$2.38M
Manufacturing
$580k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$425k
Construction

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Michigan went to Donald J. Trump with 49.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.3%), followed by Jill Stein (0.788%).

Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin are the senators currently representing the state of Michigan. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Michigan is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Ottawa County, MI. Showing the available data for Michigan.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49.7%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (48.3%)
Democratic Party
Jill Stein (0.788%)
Green Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Michigan went to Donald J. Trump with 49.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.3%), followed by Jill Stein (0.788%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Michigan for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Michigan

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Michigan.

Gary Peters

Senator from Michigan

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Elissa Slotkin

Senator from Michigan

Assumed office on January 3, 2025

Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin are the senators currently representing Michigan.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Michigan over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Ottawa County, MI awarded 7,193 degrees. The student population of Ottawa County, MI in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 10,113 male students and 16,059 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Ottawa County, MI are White (5,871 and 83.8%), Hispanic or Latino (432 and 6.16%), Black or African American (242 and 3.45%), and Two or More Races (234 and 3.34%).

The largest universities in Ottawa County, MI by number of degrees awarded are Grand Valley State University (6,170 and 85.8%), Hope College (826 and 11.5%), and French Academy of Cosmetology (74 and 1.03%).

The most popular majors in Ottawa County, MI are General Psychology (351 and 4.88%), Registered Nursing (314 and 4.37%), and Social Work (271 and 3.77%).

The median tuition costs are $37,240 for private four year colleges, and $14,978 and $21,154 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Ottawa County, MI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 91.4%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 21%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 26,172 (38.6% men and 61.4% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 26,172 students enrolled in Ottawa County, MI, 38.6% men and 61.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 19,809 records, of which 62.2% were women and 37.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
351 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
282 degrees awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
269 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Ottawa County, MI was General Psychology with 351 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Ottawa County, MI according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Grand Valley State University
6,170 degrees awarded
Hope College
826 degrees awarded
French Academy of Cosmetology
74 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Grand Valley State University with 6,170 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 2,515 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Ottawa County, MI, which is 0.538 times less than the 4,678 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 5,871 degrees mean that there were 13.6 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 432 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($37,240) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($430) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,060) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Ottawa County, MI was $323,400 in 2024, which is 0.972 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $291,200 to $323,400, a 11.1% increase. The homeownership rate in Ottawa County, MI is 79.3%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Ottawa County, MI have an average commute time of 20.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Ottawa County, MI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 10.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Ottawa County, MI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.14%.

Housing

Property

$323,400

Median Property Value 2024

±$4,476

$88,248

Median Property Taxes

±$2,053

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Ottawa County, MI the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Ottawa County, MI compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

79.3%

Homeownership

2024

67.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 79.3% of the housing units in Ottawa County, MI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 78.5%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Ottawa County, MI compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$90,502

Median Household Income

± $1,860

111k

Number of Households

± 2,699

In 2024, the median household income of the 111k households in Ottawa County, MI grew to $90,502 from the previous year's value of $87,144.

The following chart displays the households in Ottawa County, MI distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Ottawa County, MI is from Michigan.

0.462

2023 Wage GINI in Michigan

0.466

2022 Wage GINI in Michigan

In 2023, the income inequality in Michigan was 0.462 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.92% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Michigan was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Michigan in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Michigan across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (77.4%)
Worked At Home (10.3%)
Carpooled (8.09%)

In 2024, 77.4% of workers in Ottawa County, MI drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (10.3%) and those who carpooled to work (8.09%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

20.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Ottawa County, MI have a shorter commute time (20.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 0.942% of the workforce in Ottawa County, MI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Ottawa County, MI compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Ottawa County, MI distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Ottawa County, MI have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 10.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Ottawa County, MI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.14%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

8.31% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Ottawa County, MI (24.2k out of 291k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Ottawa County, MI is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 7.5% of the children was living in poverty in Ottawa County, MI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 5.2%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 243 in Ottawa County, MI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 77 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

96.7% of the population of Ottawa County, MI has health coverage, with 61.3% on employee plans, 9% on Medicaid, 13.6% on Medicare, 12% on non-group plans, and 0.856% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Ottawa County, MI see 1,511 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,511 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1626 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 360 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.6% were men and 50.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,511 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Ottawa County, MI

Primary care physicians in Ottawa County, MI see an average of 1,511 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,511 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Ottawa County, MI in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25% under 18 years, 23.3% between 18 and 34 years, 35.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.6% were men and 50.4% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

3.25%

Uninsured

61.3%

Employer Coverage

Medicaid

13.6%

Medicare

12%

Non-Group

0.856%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Ottawa County, MI grew by 0.44% from 3.24% to 3.25%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Ottawa County, MI changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 33.5 in Ottawa County, MI.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Ottawa County, MI.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 35.9% in Ottawa County, MI.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Ottawa County, MI.