Kentwood, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Kentwood is a city in Kent County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. The population was 48,707 at the 2010 census
, making it the second most populous suburb of Grand Rapids
and the 25th most populous city in Michigan.
. The city was named after Kent County, which was named after jurist James Kent
.
The city's first mayor was Peter M. Lamberts, who served in that post until 1979. Subsequent mayors have included Marvin Hoeflinger (1979–1981), Gerald DeRuiter (1981–1992), Bill Hardiman (1992–2002), and Richard Root (2002–Present).
, the city has a total area of 21 square miles (54.4 km²), all land. The city is bordered by Wyoming
to the west, Grand Rapids
and Grand Rapids Township to the north, Cascade Township
to the east, and Gaines Township
to the south.
of 2000, there were 45,255 people, 18,477 households, and 11,529 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,150.6 per square mile (830.5/km²). There were 19,507 housing units at an average density of 927.0 per square mile (358.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.87% White, 13.09% African American, 0.46% Native American, 5.63% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races
, and 2.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.88% of the population.
Of the 18,477 households, 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples
living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,812, and the median income for a family was $55,615. Males had a median income of $40,544 versus $27,632 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $22,463. About 5.0% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.
, city clerk, and city treasurer
to four-year terms. The next election for these offices will be held on November 3, 2013. The current mayor is Richard Root. The Mayor Pro Tem is selected by the City Commission; Richard Clanton currently serves in this role.
The legislative body of Kentwood is the City Commission. Voters elect six city commissioners to four-year terms. On November 8, 2011, voters in each of the city's two wards will elect one commissioner, while another city commissioner will be elected by the city at-large. This will also be done on November 5, 2013, concurrent with the other aforementioned officials. The mayor serves as a voting member of the City Commission and presides over Commission meetings.
, the KFD is now a combination fire department
utilizing firefighters to carry out its objectives. A minimum of eleven career firefighters are on duty at all times, with at least three at each of the city's three strategically located fire stations. Every career member of the department is minimally licensed as an emergency medical technician
, while several also hold Paramedic
certification. Additional support is provided by a small number of paid-on-call firefighters. These members respond to provide extra manpower at structure fires and other large scale emergencies.
The department is led by Chief Brent Looman. The Kentwood Fire Department is headquartered at 4775 Walma SE, across from Kentwood City Hall. Station 2 is located at 4151 Embassy on the North end, and Station 3 is located at 5340 Eastern on the South West side.
In 2009, the Kentwood Fire Department responded to 3,956 alarms.
runs along East Beltline Avenue and Broadmoor Avenue to the south.
links with Muskegon
and downtown Grand Rapids to the west and Lansing
and Detroit, Michigan
to the east.
While not within Kentwood city limits, two other highways both pass within one mile of Kentwood: US-131 in Wyoming and M-6 to the south. Since Kentwood is a suburb of Grand Rapids, many commuters will use one or both of these highways en route to and from work.
Also included within Kentwood's city limits are the Forest Hills Public Schools and Kelloggsville Public Schools.
With the exception of the M6 Trail, proposals are being considered to expand each of these trails.
district. The Kentwood Branch Library opened in 2010 on Breton Avenue, next to Kentwood City Hall. Previously, the Kentwood Library had been located on Kalamazoo Avenue south of 44th Street.
mine in Kentwood. Now closed, it was formerly operated by Georgia-Pacific
.
Kent County, Michigan
-Air Service:*Commercial air service to Grand Rapids is provided by Gerald R. Ford International Airport . Previously named Kent County International Airport, it holds Grand Rapids' mark in modern history with the United States' first regularly scheduled airline service, beginning July 31, 1926,...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The population was 48,707 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
, making it the second most populous suburb of Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
and the 25th most populous city in Michigan.
History
The city was incorporated in 1967 from what remained of Paris Township to prevent further annexation of land from the adjacent cities of Grand Rapids and WyomingWyoming, Michigan
Wyoming is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 72,125. That makes it the 2nd largest community or city in West Michigan, the 14th largest city in the state of Michigan, and the 18th largest community in the state as well...
. The city was named after Kent County, which was named after jurist James Kent
James Kent
James Kent was an American jurist and legal scholar.-Life:...
.
The city's first mayor was Peter M. Lamberts, who served in that post until 1979. Subsequent mayors have included Marvin Hoeflinger (1979–1981), Gerald DeRuiter (1981–1992), Bill Hardiman (1992–2002), and Richard Root (2002–Present).
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 21 square miles (54.4 km²), all land. The city is bordered by Wyoming
Wyoming, Michigan
Wyoming is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 72,125. That makes it the 2nd largest community or city in West Michigan, the 14th largest city in the state of Michigan, and the 18th largest community in the state as well...
to the west, Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
and Grand Rapids Township to the north, Cascade Township
Cascade Township, Michigan
Cascade Charter Township is a charter township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 15,107 at the 2000 census.The township is situated in the southeastern section of Kent County, approximately 10 miles southeast of Grand Rapids. A defining feature of the township is the...
to the east, and Gaines Township
Gaines Township, Kent County, Michigan
Gaines Charter Township is a charter township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,112 at the 2000 census.The township is about 13 miles south of downtown Grand Rapids. It is directly south of the city of Kentwood. The Charter Township of Caledonia and Village of...
to the south.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 45,255 people, 18,477 households, and 11,529 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,150.6 per square mile (830.5/km²). There were 19,507 housing units at an average density of 927.0 per square mile (358.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.87% White, 13.09% African American, 0.46% Native American, 5.63% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.88% of the population.
Of the 18,477 households, 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,812, and the median income for a family was $55,615. Males had a median income of $40,544 versus $27,632 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $22,463. About 5.0% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Voters in Kentwood elect a mayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
, city clerk, and city treasurer
City Treasurer
The City Treasurer is a position of responsibility for a city according to the prevailing laws in that city.The treasurer of a public agency is elected by the voting public or is appointed by the city council or city manager...
to four-year terms. The next election for these offices will be held on November 3, 2013. The current mayor is Richard Root. The Mayor Pro Tem is selected by the City Commission; Richard Clanton currently serves in this role.
The legislative body of Kentwood is the City Commission. Voters elect six city commissioners to four-year terms. On November 8, 2011, voters in each of the city's two wards will elect one commissioner, while another city commissioner will be elected by the city at-large. This will also be done on November 5, 2013, concurrent with the other aforementioned officials. The mayor serves as a voting member of the City Commission and presides over Commission meetings.
Fire service
The Kentwood Fire Department has been serving the citizens of Kentwood since 1967. Initially a fully volunteer fire departmentVolunteer fire department
See also the Firefighter article and its respective sections regarding VFDs in other countries.A volunteer fire department is a fire department composed of volunteers who perform fire suppression and other related emergency services for a local jurisdiction.The first organized force of...
, the KFD is now a combination fire department
Combination fire department
A combination fire department is a type of fire department which consists of both career and volunteer firefighters. In the United States, combination fire departments are typically tax-supported in some fashion, and generally have an annual call volume larger than purely volunteer departments...
utilizing firefighters to carry out its objectives. A minimum of eleven career firefighters are on duty at all times, with at least three at each of the city's three strategically located fire stations. Every career member of the department is minimally licensed as an emergency medical technician
Emergency medical technician
Emergency Medical Technician or Ambulance Technician are terms used in some countries to denote a healthcare provider of emergency medical services...
, while several also hold Paramedic
Paramedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
certification. Additional support is provided by a small number of paid-on-call firefighters. These members respond to provide extra manpower at structure fires and other large scale emergencies.
The department is led by Chief Brent Looman. The Kentwood Fire Department is headquartered at 4775 Walma SE, across from Kentwood City Hall. Station 2 is located at 4151 Embassy on the North end, and Station 3 is located at 5340 Eastern on the South West side.
In 2009, the Kentwood Fire Department responded to 3,956 alarms.
Law enforcement
Law enforcement services are provided by the Kentwood Police Department. It is the mission of the Kentwood Police Department to assist the community in ensuring the safety, individual rights, and quality of life of all citizens. Currently, the department has seventy sworn officers and is led by Chief Richard Mattice. The Kentwood Police Department's Headquarters is co-located with the 62B District Court in the Kentwood Justice Center at 4742 Walma SE.Major highways
runs along 28th Street.runs along East Beltline Avenue and Broadmoor Avenue to the south.
links with Muskegon
Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 38,401. The city is the county seat of Muskegon County...
and downtown Grand Rapids to the west and Lansing
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
and Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
to the east.
While not within Kentwood city limits, two other highways both pass within one mile of Kentwood: US-131 in Wyoming and M-6 to the south. Since Kentwood is a suburb of Grand Rapids, many commuters will use one or both of these highways en route to and from work.
Schools
The main public school district in Kentwood is the Kentwood Public Schools, consisting of two high schools, one freshman campus, three middle schools, ten active elementary schools, and one closed elementary school:- East Kentwood High SchoolEast Kentwood High SchoolEast Kentwood High School is a public high school located just outside the city of Kentwood, Michigan, United States. It is part of the Kentwood Public Schools district, working together with the Crossroads High School, an alternative learning center...
- Crossroads Alternative High School
- East Kentwood Freshman Campus
- Crestwood Middle School
- Pinewood Middle School
- Valleywood Middle School
- Bowen Elementary School
- Brookwood Elementary School
- Challenger Elementary School
- Discovery Elementary School
- Endeavor Elementary School
- Explorer Elementary School
- Glenwood Elementary School
- Meadowlawn Elementary School
- Southwood Elementary School
- Townline Elementary School
- Hamilton Elementary School (closed 2009)
Also included within Kentwood's city limits are the Forest Hills Public Schools and Kelloggsville Public Schools.
Churches
- Princeton Christian Reformed Church
- Kelloggsville Christian Reformed Church
- Pentecostals of Kentwood
- St. Mary Magdalen Roman Catholic Parish
- Kentwood Community Church
Trails
Kentwood has five trails:- Paul Henry Rail TrailPaul Henry Rail TrailThe Paul Henry Rail Trail is a rail trail in Kentwood, Michigan. Originally running from 44th Street and Kalamazoo in a southeasterly direction to 60th street, the trail now connects with both the Thornapple Trail and Kent Trails. It has a wide paved surface. It is part of the North Country...
from 44th Street and Kalamazoo to 60th Street - East-West Trail from Division Avenue to Kalamazoo Avenue
- Plaster CreekPlaster CreekPlaster Creek is a urban stream in Kent County, Michigan in the United States. It is a tributary of the Grand River. The stream is named for the large deposit of gypsum found at its mouth...
Trail - M6 Trail
- Saddleback Trail
With the exception of the M6 Trail, proposals are being considered to expand each of these trails.
Library
Kentwood is located within the Kent District LibraryKent District Library
The Kent District Library is a public library system located in Kent County, Michigan. With eighteen branch locations and an annual circulation of more than 5 million items , the Kent District Library is one of the largest and busiest library systems in all of Michigan.-History:The beginnings of...
district. The Kentwood Branch Library opened in 2010 on Breton Avenue, next to Kentwood City Hall. Previously, the Kentwood Library had been located on Kalamazoo Avenue south of 44th Street.
Kentwood Mine
The Kentwood mine is an underground gypsumGypsum
Gypsum is a very soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate, with the chemical formula CaSO4·2H2O. It is found in alabaster, a decorative stone used in Ancient Egypt. It is the second softest mineral on the Mohs Hardness Scale...
mine in Kentwood. Now closed, it was formerly operated by Georgia-Pacific
Georgia-Pacific
Georgia-Pacific LLC is an American pulp and paper company based in Atlanta, Georgia, and is one of the world's leading manufacturers and distributors of tissue, pulp, paper, packaging, building products and related chemicals. As of Fall 2010, the company employed more than 40,000 people at more...
.