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Ottawa County, Michigan facts for kids

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Ottawa County
Ottawa County Courthouse in Grand Haven
Ottawa County Courthouse in Grand Haven
Official logo of Ottawa County
Logo
Map of Michigan highlighting Ottawa County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Michigan
Founded 1831 (authorized)
1837 (organized)
Named for Ottawa Nation
Seat Grand Haven
Largest city Holland
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

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

Communities

Cities

Village

  • Spring Lake

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Ottawa (Míchigan) para niños

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