Ottawa County, Michigan Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Ottawa County

U.S. county

Ottawa County Courthouse in Grand Haven

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Location within the U.S. state of Michigan

Michigan's location within the U.S.

Country

United States

State

Michigan

Founded

1831 (authorized)
1837 (organized)

Largest city

Area

• Total

1,631 sq mi (4,220 km²)

• Land

563 sq mi (1,460 km²)

• Water

1,068 sq mi (2,770 km²) 65%%

Population

(2020)

• Total

296,200

• Density

526/sq mi (203/km²)

Time zone

UTC−5 (Eastern)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−4 (EDT)

Congressional district

2nd

Ottawa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the United States 2020 Census, the population was 296,200. The county seat is Grand Haven. The county is named for the Ottawa Nation. It was set off in 1831 and organized in 1837.

Ottawa County is included in the Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Demographics
- Religion
Communities
Images for kids
See also

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,631 square miles (4,220 km²), of which 563 square miles (1,460 km²) is land and 1,068 square miles (2,770 km²) (65%) is water.

Bodies of water

Adjacent counties

Major highways

I-96
I-196
BL I-196
US 31
M-6
M-11
M-45
M-104
M-121
M-231
A-37
B-31
B-35
B-72

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1840	208	—
1850	5,587	2,586.1%
1860	13,215	136.5%
1870	26,651	101.7%
1880	33,126	24.3%
1890	35,358	6.7%
1900	39,667	12.2%
1910	45,301	14.2%
1920	47,660	5.2%
1930	54,858	15.1%
1940	59,660	8.8%
1950	73,751	23.6%
1960	98,719	33.9%
1970	128,181	29.8%
1980	157,174	22.6%
1990	187,768	19.5%
2000	238,314	26.9%
2010	263,801	10.7%
2020	296,200	12.3%
US Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2019

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 263,801 people living in the county. 90.1% were White, 2.6% Asian, 1.5% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 3.4% of some other race and 2.0% of two or more races. 8.6% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 31.0% were of Dutch, 14.2% German, 5.8% English and 5.7% Irish ancestry.

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 238,314 people, 81,662 households, and 61,328 families in the county. The population density was 421 people per square mile (163/km²). There were 86,856 housing units at an average density of 154 per square mile (59/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.52% White, 1.05% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 2.09% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.48% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. 7.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.3% reported being of Dutch, 14.6% German, 6.2% English, 5.6% Irish and 5.4% American ancestry, 91.5% spoke only English at home; 5.4% spoke Spanish.

There were 81,662 households, out of which 39.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.60% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.90% were non-families. 19.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.25.

The county has numerous seasonal residents during the summer. Port Sheldon Township has many lakefront homes and other inland retreats that serve as summer getaways for residents of Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Chicago. No official statistics are compiled on seasonal residents.

The county population contains 28.70% under the age of 18, 11.90% from 18 to 24, 29.30% from 25 to 44, 20.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ranks Ottawa County as Michigan's second-healthiest county, preceded only by the leisure-oriented Traverse City area.

The median income for a household in the county was $52,347, and the median income for a family was $59,896. Males had a median income of $42,180 versus $27,706 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,676. About 3.10% of families and 5.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.70% of those under age 18 and 4.90% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

The Christian Reformed Church in North America had 67 churches and 33,700 members
the Reformed Church in America had 47 congregations and 33,300 members
the Catholic Church had 11 churches and 24,700 members.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has two meetinghouses in the county.
The Protestant Reformed Churches have around 10 large congregations in the county