Ottawa County, MI

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Population

286,383

1.46% growth

Median Age

35.2


Median Household Income

$68,543

6.25% growth

Poverty Rate

9.55%


Number of Employees

152,088

5.43% growth

Median Property Value

$190,500

8.49% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Ottawa County, MI had a population of 286k people with a median age of 35.2 and a median household income of $68,543. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Ottawa County, MI grew from 282,250 to 286,383, a 1.46% increase and its median household income grew from $64,513 to $68,543, a 6.25% increase.

The population of Ottawa County, MI is 83.8% White Alone, 9.7% Hispanic or Latino, and 2.68% Asian Alone. N/A% of the people in Ottawa County, MI speak a non-English language, and 97.4% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Ottawa County, MI are Grand Valley State University (6,276 degrees awarded in 2016), Hope College (963 degrees), and Western Theological Seminary (63 degrees).

The median property value in Ottawa County, MI is $190,500, and the homeownership rate is 79.4%. Most people in Ottawa County, MI commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 19.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Ottawa County, MI is 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Ferrysburg, Michigan

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United StatesMichiganGrand Rapids-Wyoming, MI

Economy

The economy of Ottawa County, MI employs 152k people. The largest industries in Ottawa County, MI are Manufacturing (37,633 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (19,630 people), and Educational Services (12,870 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($72,187), Wholesale Trade ($55,860), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($54,074).

Median household income in Ottawa County, MI is $68,543. Males in Ottawa County, MI have an average income that is 1.38 times higher than the average income of females, which is $48,042. The income inequality in Ottawa County, MI (measured using the Gini index) is 0.473, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$68,543

2017 value

± $2,387

6.25%

1 Year Growth

± 4.95%

Households in Ottawa County, MI have a median annual income of $68,543, which is more than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $64,513 in 2016, which represents a 6.25% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Ottawa County, MI compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$66,184

Average Male Salary

± $1,151

$48,042

Average Female Salary

± $879

In 2017, full-time male employees in Ottawa County, MI made 1.38 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Ottawa County, MI by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $63,268 ± $4,166

  2. Alaska Native

    $50,705 ± $51,364

  3. White

    $50,410 ± $738

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Ottawa County, MI workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.25 times more than Alaska Native workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Ottawa County, MI by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

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

0.473

2017 Wage GINI

0.481

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Michigan was 0.473 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.74% decline from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even.

The 2017 the GINI for Michigan was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 235

  2. Census Tract 221.06

  3. Census Tract 213.04

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Ottawa County, MI was Census Tract 235 with a value of $95,319, followed by Census Tract 221.06 and Census Tract 213.04, with respective values of $93,571 and $90,094.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Ottawa County, MI colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

9.55% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Ottawa County, MI (25.8k out of 270k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    21,710 ± 1,084

  2. Hispanic

    4,395 ± 576

  3. Other

    1,102 ± 350

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

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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

152k

2017 Value

± 5,749

5.43%

1 Year growth

± 5.18%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Ottawa County, MI grew at a rate of 5.43%, from 144k employees to 152k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Ottawa County, MI, are Other Management Occupations Except Farmers, Ranchers, & Other Agricultural Managers (8,260 people), Other Production Occupations (6,500 people), and Metal Workers & Plastic Workers (4,877 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Ottawa County, MI.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Ottawa County, MI, by number of employees, are Other Management Occupations Except Farmers, Ranchers, & Other Agricultural Managers (8,260 people), Other Production Occupations (6,500 people), and Metal Workers & Plastic Workers (4,877 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Ottawa County, MI has an unusually high number of residents working as Preschool & Kinder (4.15 times higher than expected), Assemblers & Fabricators (3.78 times), and Metal Workers & Plastic Workers (3.18 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Ottawa County, MI, by median earnings, are Management Occupations ($70,327), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($66,719), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($62,058).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

152k

2017 Value

± 5,749

5.43%

1 Year growth

± 5.18%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Ottawa County, MI grew at a rate of 5.43%, from 144k employees to 152k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Ottawa County, MI, are Manufacturing (37,633 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (19,630 people), and Educational Services (12,870 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.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Ottawa County, MI, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (37,633 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (19,630 people), and Educational Services (12,870 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Ottawa County, MI has an unusually high number of Manufacturing (2.56 times higher than expected), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (1.69 times), and Utilities (1.68 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Ottawa County, MI, by median earnings, are Utilities ($72,187), Wholesale Trade ($55,860), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($54,074).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Michigan to other states, or from other states to Michigan.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Motorized vehicles

    $135B

  2. Mixed freight

    $35.4B

  3. Machinery

    $31.3B

In 2015, the top outbound Michigan product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $135B, followed by Mixed freight with $35.4B and Machinery and $31.3B.

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Michigan products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Michigan state.

$448B

2015 Value

$623B

Projected 2045 Value

39.1% growth

In 2015, total outbound Michigan trade was $448B. This is expected to increase 39.1% to $623B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Michigan trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Michigan to other states, or from other states to Michigan.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. Ohio

    $35.1B

  2. Indiana

    $25.1B

  3. Illinois

    $20.4B

In 2015, the top outbound Michigan domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Ohio with $35.1B, followed by Indiana with $25.1B and Illinois and $20.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Michigan shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

96.4% of the population of Ottawa County, MI has health coverage, with 63.5% on employee plans, 9.65% on Medicaid, 11.8% on Medicare, 11.1% on non-group plans, and 0.373% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Ottawa County, MI was $8,055 in 2014. This is a 4% increase from the previous year ($7,745).

Primary care physicians in Ottawa County, MI see 1609 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.187% increase from the previous year (1606 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1845 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 636 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Gladwin County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (14.5%). Additionally, Saginaw County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39.8%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,609 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Ottawa County, MI see an average of 1,609 patients per year. This represents a 0.187% increase from the previous year (1,606 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 neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

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

$8,055

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$3,950

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,915

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$11,318

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Michigan (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4%, from $7,745 to $8,055.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

3.59%

Uninsured

63.5%

Employer Coverage

9.65%

Medicaid

11.8%

Medicare

11.1%

Non-Group

0.373%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Ottawa County, MI declined by 2.67% from 3.69% to 3.59%.

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.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Gladwin County

    14.5% prevalence

  2. Oscoda County

    14.1% prevalence

  3. Roscommon County

    14.1% prevalence

Gladwin County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Michigan, at 14.5%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Michigan by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Ottawa County, MI is home to a population of 286k people, from which 97.4% are citizens. As of 2017, 5.58% of Ottawa County, MI residents were born outside of the country.

The ethnic composition of the population of Ottawa County, MI is composed of 240k White Alone residents (83.8%), 27.8k Hispanic or Latino residents (9.7%), 7.67k Asian Alone residents (2.68%), 5.28k Two or More Races residents (1.84%), 4.02k Black or African American Alone residents (1.4%), 1.35k American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.471%), 378 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.132%), and 0 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Ottawa County, MI are N/A.

Age

Age by Nativity

34

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

43

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 3.8

In 2017, the median age of all people in Ottawa County, MI was 35.2. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 34, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 43. But people in Ottawa County, MI are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Ottawa County, MI residents was 35.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

5.58%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

5.62%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

As of 2017, 5.58% of Ottawa County, MI residents were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Ottawa County, MI was 5.62%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

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Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

  1. India

    78,610 ± 6,856 people

  2. Mexico

    76,973 ± 6,785 people

  3. Iraq

    56,485 ± 5,818 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Ottawa County, MI was India, the natal country of 78,610 Ottawa County, MI residents, followed by Mexico with 76,973 and Iraq with 56,485.

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Citizenship

97.4%

2017 Citizenship

97.6%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 97.4% of Ottawa County, MI residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Ottawa County, MI was 97.6%, 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.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    240k ± 356

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    27.8k ± 4.15k

  3. Asian Alone

    7.67k ± 929

In 2017, there were 8.63 times more White Alone residents (240k people) in Ottawa County, MI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 27.8k Hispanic or Latino and 7.67k Asian Alone residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

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

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

  2. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

  3. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

N/A% of Ottawa County, MI citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is approximately the same as the national average of 21.5%. In N/A, the most common non-English language spoken in Ottawa County, MI was N/A. N/A% of the overall population of Ottawa County, MI are native N/A speakers. N/A% speak N/A and N/A% speak N/A, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    4,371 ± 847

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    2,093 ± 834

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    1,477 ± 514

Ottawa County, MI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.09 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in Ottawa County, MI awarded 7,349 degrees. The student population of Ottawa County, MI is skewed towards women, with 11,708 male students and 17,320 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Ottawa County, MI are White (6,245 and 86.8%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (314 and 4.36%), Black or African American (290 and 4.03%), and Two or More Races (172 and 2.39%).

The largest universities in Ottawa County, MI by number of degrees awarded are Grand Valley State University (6,276 and 85.4%), Hope College (963 and 13.1%), and Western Theological Seminary (63 and 0.857%).

The most popular majors in Ottawa County, MI are General Psychology (389 and 5.29%), Social Work (340 and 4.63%), and General Education (298 and 4.05%).

The median tuition costs in Ottawa County, MI are $31,380 for private four year colleges, and $11,832 and $16,704 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching

    278 degrees awarded

  2. Pre-Medical Studies

    260 degrees awarded

  3. General Psychology

    389 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Ottawa County, MI was Physical Education Teaching & Coaching with 278 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. Grand Valley State University

    6,276 degrees awarded

  2. Hope College

    963 degrees awarded

  3. Western Theological Seminary

    63 degrees awarded

$11,832

Median In-State Public

$31,380

Median Private

In 2016, the Ottawa County, MI institution with the largest number of graduating students was Grand Valley State University with 6,276 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

2,769

Degrees Awarded to Men

4,580

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 2,769 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Ottawa County, MI, which is 0.605 times less than the 4,580 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Ottawa County, MI by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    6,245 degrees awarded

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    314 degrees awarded

  3. Black or African American

    290 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Ottawa County, MI were to White students. These 6,245 degrees mean that there were 19.9 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 314 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Ottawa County, MI was $190,500 in 2017, which is 0.875 times smaller than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $175,600 to $190,500, a 8.49% increase. The homeownership rate in Ottawa County, MI is 79.4%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Ottawa County, MI have an average commute time of 19.8 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Ottawa County, MI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

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

$68,543

Median Household Income

± $2,387

104k

Number of Households

± 4,571

In 2017, the median household income of the 104k households in Ottawa County, MI grew to $68,543 from the previous year's value of $64,513.

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.

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Housing

Property Value

$190,500

2017 Median

± $4,012

$175,600

2016 Median

± $4,310

In 2017, the median property value in Ottawa County, MI grew to to $190,500 from the previous year's value of $175,600.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Ottawa County, MI compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Ottawa County, MI the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

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Property Taxes

$2k - $3k

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Ottawa County, MI 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 $2k - $3k range.

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Rent vs Own

79.4%

2017 Homeownership

75.8%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 79.4% of the housing units in Ottawa County, MI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 75.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Ottawa County, MI compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Transportation

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, followed by 3 cars.

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Commute Time

19.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Ottawa County, MI have a shorter commute time (19.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 1.36% 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    83.5%

  2. Carpooled

    8.7%

  3. Worked At Home

    4.4%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Ottawa County, MI was Drove Alone, followed by those who Carpooled and those who Worked At Home.

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