Kentwood, MI Local Data & Statistics

State: MI

Total population: 54,296 Household income: $74,373 Rent: $1,260

Overview

Total population

54,296

Rent

$1,260

Year built

1983

Household income

$74,373

Per capita income

$36,116

Poverty rate

10.4%

Unemployment rate

4.9%

Household size

2.5 persons

Rent over 30% of income

43.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Michigan

Total population

54,296

Adults over 25

36,706

Total households

21,245

Household size

2.5 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$74,373

Per capita income

$36,116

Poverty rate

10.4%

Unemployment rate

4.9%

Rent over 30% of income

43.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$1,260

Year built

1983

Households that rent

38.7%

Households that own

61.3%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.4

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

53.8%

Black

22.5%

Asian

10%

Two or more races

10.5%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

10.3%

Not Hispanic or Latino

89.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

88%

Commute time to work

20 mins

Work from home

12%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

28.7%

High school graduate or GED

24.7%

Some college or associate degree

9.8%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

36.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Kentwood, MI with: Michigan United States

Kentwood, MI

Total population54,296

Rent$1,260

Year built1983

Household income$74,373

Per capita income$36,116

Poverty rate10.4%

Unemployment rate4.9%

Michigan State

Total population10,077,761

Rent$1,129

Year built1972

Household income$72,875

Per capita income$40,735

Poverty rate13.2%

Unemployment rate4.7%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CityKentwood, MI	StateMichigan	CountryUnited States
Total population	54,296	10,077,761	334,922,499
Rent	$1,260	$1,129	$1,413
Year built	1983	1972	1980
Household income	$74,373	$72,875	$80,734
Per capita income	$36,116	$40,735	$44,673
Poverty rate	10.4%	13.2%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	4.9%	4.7%	4%

View the complete comparison of Kentwood, MI, Michigan and United States →

Summary for Kentwood, MI

Kentwood is located in Michigan.

Rent & Income

In Kentwood, the typical monthly rent is $1,260 and the typical household income is $74,373. Rent here is higher than Michigan and lower than the U.S., and household income is similar to Michigan and lower than the U.S. The estimated poverty rate is 10.4%, which is lower than in both Michigan and national.

Housing & Affordability

This area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 38.7% of households. About 43.7% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is high, with about 36.7% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 4.9%, which is similar to Michigan and higher than the national rate.

Kentwood, MI — Rent vs Household Income

Kentwood, MI — Poverty vs Unemployment

How Kentwood, MI compares in Michigan (24 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$1,260	12 / 24	from lower rent	$915 – $1,747
Household income	$74,373	9 / 24	from higher income	$37,646 – $120,694
Poverty rate	10.4%	9 / 24	from lower poverty	4.7% – 34.1%
Unemployment rate	4.9%	14 / 24	from lower unemployment	2.4% – 13.1%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in Michigan with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for Kentwood, MI

Rent

Kentwood ranks 12th out of 24 large places in Michigan for rent. Statewide rents range from $915 in Flint, MI to $1,747 in Novi, MI.

Household income

For median household income, Kentwood is ranked 9th out of 24 large areas. Statewide incomes span from $37,646 in Flint, MI to $120,694 in Rochester Hills, MI.

Poverty rate

Poverty levels put Kentwood in 9th place among 24 significant areas. Across Michigan, poverty ranges between 4.7% and 34.1%.

Unemployment rate

Unemployment levels put Kentwood in 14th place among 24 large places. Statewide unemployment spans from 2.4% in Royal Oak, MI to 13.1% in Flint, MI.

💰 Rent in Kentwood, MI (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,260 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Kentwood, MI

Annual Household Income: $74,373

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Kentwood, MI

Estimated Rate: 10.4%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Kentwood, MI

In Kentwood, MI, households that rent: 8,212 (38.7%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	8,212	38.7%
Owner-Occupied	13,033	61.3%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Kentwood, MI

In Kentwood, MI, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 3,586 (43.7%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	3,586	43.7%
Other renter households	4,626	56.3%
Total renter households	8,212	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Kentwood, MI

Less than High School: 10,552 people (28.7%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 9,069 people (24.7%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 3,607 people (9.8%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 13,478 people (36.7%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 36,706

📊 Unemployment Rate in Kentwood, MI

Estimated Rate: 4.9%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Yucaipa, CA54,348 Peabody, MA54,180 Rocky Mount, NC54,175 Texas City, TX54,159 Marana, AZ54,487 West Sacramento, CA54,496 Plainfield, NJ54,515 Pensacola, FL54,011 Manhattan, KS53,951 Logan, UT53,923

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.