Kent County Demographics

A map of Kent County's Population by Race

Kent County, Michigan has an estimated population of 663,150, a less than 1% change from the 657,974 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 70.4% White, 11.7% Hispanic, 9.4% Black, 4.6% Multiracial, 3.2% Asian, and 0.7% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Kent County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Kent is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than Michigan overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Kent County, that probability was 47.4% in 2020 and 47.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Kent County is ranked the 4th most populous county in Michigan, out of 83 counties. Kent County was ranked the 4th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Kent County's White Population

467,038 residents of Kent County, or 70.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Kent County is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 72.4% of the population is White. Kent County ranks 75th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Kent County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Kent County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 70.4%.

Kent County is less White than neighboring Ionia County (85.3% White), Montcalm County (87% White), Barry County (91.8% White), Newaygo County (87.2% White), and Mecosta County (89.6% White).

Kent County's Black Population

62,581 residents of Kent County, or 9.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Kent County is slightly lower than in Michigan overall, where 13.1% of the population is Black. Kent County ranks 12th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Kent County's Black population has remained roughly the same. Black residents' share of Kent County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 9.4%.

Kent County is more Black than neighboring Ionia County (3.3% Black), Montcalm County (3.2% Black), Barry County (0.3% Black), Newaygo County (0.8% Black), and Mecosta County (2.1% Black).

Kent County's Asian Population

21,201 residents of Kent County, or 3.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Kent County is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 3.4% of the population is Asian. Kent County ranks 6th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Kent County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 2.7%. Asian residents' share of Kent County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.2%.

Kent County is more Asian than neighboring Ionia County (0.5% Asian), Montcalm County (0.2% Asian), Barry County (0.6% Asian), Newaygo County (0.4% Asian), and Mecosta County (0.7% Asian).

Kent County's Hispanic Population

77,304 residents of Kent County, or 11.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Kent County is higher than in Michigan overall, where 5.9% of the population is Hispanic. Kent County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Kent County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Kent County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 11.7%.

Kent County is more Hispanic than neighboring Ionia County (5.3% Hispanic), Montcalm County (4.5% Hispanic), Barry County (3.7% Hispanic), Newaygo County (6.3% Hispanic), and Mecosta County (3% Hispanic).

Kent County's Native American/Other Population

4,839 residents of Kent County, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Kent County is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Kent County ranks 56th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Kent County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 11.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Kent County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Kent County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Barry County (0.5% Native American/Other). Kent County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Ionia County (0.9% Native American/Other), Montcalm County (0.8% Native American/Other), and Newaygo County (1.3% Native American/Other).

Kent County's Multiracial Population

30,187 residents of Kent County, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Kent County is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Kent County ranks 29th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 83 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Kent County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 4.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Kent County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.6%.

Kent County is more Multiracial than neighboring Montcalm County (4.4% Multiracial), Barry County (3.1% Multiracial), Newaygo County (4.1% Multiracial), and Mecosta County (3.9% Multiracial). Kent County is less Multiracial than neighboring Ionia County (4.8% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.