Ottawa County, MI

County

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2021 Population

293,713

1.57% 1-year growth

US Senator

Debbie Stabenow

Democratic Party

US Senator

Gary Peters

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

35.6

0.282% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

7.62%

4.06% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$77,288

6.72% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$228,400

9.07% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

152,621

1.97% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Ottawa County, MI had a population of 294k people with a median age of 35.6 and a median household income of $77,288. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Ottawa County, MI grew from 289,162 to 293,713, a 1.57% increase and its median household income grew from $72,418 to $77,288, a 6.72% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Ottawa County, MI are White (Non-Hispanic) (82.9%), White (Hispanic) (4.67%), Other (Hispanic) (2.61%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (2.58%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (2.44%).

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.

97.8% of the residents in Ottawa County, MI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Ottawa County, MI are Grand Valley State University (6,502 degrees awarded in 2021), Hope College (170301) (831 degrees), and French Academy of Cosmetology (62 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Ottawa County, MI was $228,400, and the homeownership rate was 78.8%.

Most people in Ottawa County, MI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.7 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 294k people, from which 97.8% are citizens. As of 2021, 5.08% of Ottawa County, MI residents were born outside of the country (14.9k people).

In 2021, there were 17.8 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (244k people) in Ottawa County, MI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 13.7k White (Hispanic) and 7.66k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.8%

2021 Citizenship

97.9%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 97.8% of Ottawa County, MI residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Ottawa County, MI was 97.9%, 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)
244k ± 614
White (Hispanic)
13.7k ± 1.35k
Other (Hispanic)
7.66k ± 1.12k

10.2%

Hispanic Population

29.8k people

10.2% of the people in Ottawa County, MI are hispanic (29.8k people).

The following chart shows the 7 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
79,412 ± 6,891 people
India
76,245 ± 6,753 people
Iraq
59,562 ± 5,974 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Michigan was Mexico, the natal country of 79,412 Michigan residents, followed by India with 76,245 and Iraq with 59,562.

Foreign-Born Population

5.08%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

14.9k people

5.09%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

14.7k people

As of 2021, 5.08% of Ottawa County, MI residents (14.9k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Ottawa County, MI was 5.09%, 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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
4,385 ± 456
Gulf War (2001-)
2,220 ± 347
Gulf War (1990s)
1,909 ± 366

Ottawa County, MI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.98 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Ottawa County, MI employs 153k people. The largest industries in Ottawa County, MI are Manufacturing (35,833 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (20,875 people), and Retail Trade (15,131 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($100,500), Utilities ($93,224), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($91,667).

Males in Michigan have an average income that is 1.36 times higher than the average income of females, which is $53,616. The income inequality in Michigan (measured using the Gini index) is 0.468, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

153k

2021 Value

± 3,109

1.97%

1 Year growth

± 2.83%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Ottawa County, MI grew at a rate of 1.97%, from 150k employees to 153k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Ottawa County, MI, are Production Occupations (16,565 people), Management Occupations (16,525 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (16,147 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 false.

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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

153k

2021 Value

± 3,109

1.97%

1 Year growth

± 2.83%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Ottawa County, MI grew at a rate of 1.97%, from 150k employees to 153k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Ottawa County, MI, are Manufacturing (35,833 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (20,875 people), and Retail Trade (15,131 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

$51,113

Median earning men ± $1,128

$30,810

Median earning women ± $752

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Wholesale Trade ($67,051), Public Administration ($66,979), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($60,789).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($46,276), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($44,591), and Construction ($41,122).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Michigan. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

2,723
Manufacturing
1,923
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
1,311
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

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

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$7.62M
Manufacturing
$1.49M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$768k
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

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

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

In 2020, the top outbound Michigan product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $217B, followed by Machinery ($58.2B) and Mixed freight ($51.2B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Michigan.

$667B

2020 Value in Michigan

$1.16T

Projected 2050 Value in Michigan

74% growth

In 2020, total outbound Michigan trade was $667B. This is expected to increase 74% to $1.16T by 2050.

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

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

Ohio
$37.2B
Indiana
$33.2B
Texas
$31.6B

In 2020, the top outbound Michigan domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Ohio with $37.2B, followed by Indiana with $33.2B and Texas and $31.6B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Ottawa County, MI went to Donald J. Trump with 59.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (38.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.37%).

Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters 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

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (59.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (38.4%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.37%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Ottawa County, MI for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Michigan

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

Debbie Stabenow

Senator from Michigan

Assumed office on January 3, 2001

Gary Peters

Senator from Michigan

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters 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.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Michigan

Michigan is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Michigan have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Ottawa County, MI awarded 7,498 degrees. The student population of Ottawa County, MI in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 9,829 male students and 16,210 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Ottawa County, MI are White (6,212 and 84.3%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (432 and 5.87%), Black or African American (275 and 3.73%), and Two or More Races (208 and 2.82%).

The largest universities in Ottawa County, MI by number of degrees awarded are Grand Valley State University (6,502 and 86.7%), Hope College (170301) (831 and 11.1%), and French Academy of Cosmetology (62 and 0.827%).

The most popular majors in Ottawa County, MI are General Psychology (355 and 4.73%), General Marketing & Marketing Management (302 and 4.03%), and Kinesiology & Exercise Science (286 and 3.81%).

The median tuition costs in Ottawa County, MI are $36,300 for private four year colleges, and $13,900 and $19,628 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Ottawa County, MI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 91.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 23.5%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 26,039 (37.7% men and 62.3% 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 2021 there were 26,039 students enrolled in Ottawa County, MI, 37.7% men and 62.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 20,815 records, of which 62.9% were women and 37.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
355 degree-majors awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
302 degree-majors awarded
Kinesiology & Exercise Science
286 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Ottawa County, MI was General Psychology with 355 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
6,502 degrees awarded
Hope College (170301)
831 degrees awarded
French Academy of Cosmetology
62 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Grand Valley State University with 6,502 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 2,693 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Ottawa County, MI, which is 0.56 times less than the 4,805 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 6,212 degrees mean that there were 14.4 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 ($36,300) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($350) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 0.763% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.76% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (2.3M), Some college (1.94M), and Bachelors Degree (1.38M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Ottawa County, MI was $228,400 in 2021, which is 0.933 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $209,400 to $228,400, a 9.07% increase. The homeownership rate in Ottawa County, MI is 78.8%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Ottawa County, MI have an average commute time of 20.7 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.

Median household income in Ottawa County, MI is $77,288. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Ottawa County, MI was Census Tract 246 with a value of $128,806, followed by Census Tract 236 and Census Tract 221.08, with respective values of $121,750 and $121,154.

In 2022, 10.8% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Ottawa County, MI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.75%.

Housing

Property

$228,400

Median Property Value 2021

±$2,644

$84,537

Median Property Taxes

±$2,097

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

78.8%

Homeownership

2021

67.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 78.8% of the housing units in Ottawa County, MI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 78.4%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 246
Census Tract 236
Census Tract 221.08

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Ottawa County, MI was Census Tract 246 with a value of $128,806, followed by Census Tract 236 and Census Tract 221.08, with respective values of $121,750 and $121,154.

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

Household Income

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

$77,288

Median Household Income

± $1,143

107k

Number of Households

± 2,507

In 2021, the median household income of the 107k households in Ottawa County, MI grew to $77,288 from the previous year's value of $72,418.

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.

0.468

2021 Wage GINI in Michigan

0.471

2020 Wage GINI in Michigan

In 2021, the income inequality in Michigan was 0.468 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.592% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Michigan was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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 2021

Drove Alone (81.1%)
Carpooled (8.2%)
Worked At Home (6.73%)

In 2021, 81.1% of workers in Ottawa County, MI drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.2%) and those who worked at home (6.73%).

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

20.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Ottawa County, MI have a shorter commute time (20.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.24% 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 2022, 10.8% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Ottawa County, MI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.75%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

7.62% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Ottawa County, MI (21.6k out of 284k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. 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 2022, 6.1% of the children was living in poverty in Ottawa County, MI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 6.6%.

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.

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Health

96.5% of the population of Ottawa County, MI has health coverage, with 62.9% on employee plans, 8.96% on Medicaid, 12% on Medicare, 11.9% on non-group plans, and 0.752% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Ottawa County, MI see 1504 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.48% increase from the previous year (1482 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1646 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 495 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,504 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Ottawa County, MI

Primary care physicians in Ottawa County, MI see an average of 1,504 patients per year. This represents a 1.48% increase from the previous year (1,482 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 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.1% under 18 years, 23.3% between 18 and 34 years, 35.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

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

Uninsured People

3.53%

Uninsured

62.9%

Employer Coverage

8.96%

Medicaid

12%

Medicare

11.9%

Non-Group

0.752%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Ottawa County, MI declined by 0.529% from 3.55% to 3.53%.

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 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 36.8 in Ottawa County, MI.

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

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, 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 31.9% in Ottawa County, MI.

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

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