Kentwood is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 48,707 at the 2010 census.
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 Wyoming. 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 (1979â€"1981), Gerald DeRuiter (1981â€"1992), Bill Hardiman (1992â€"2002), Richard Root (2002â€"2012), Richard Clanton (2012â€"2013), and Stephen Kepley (2013â€"present).
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.95 square miles (54.26Â km2), of which, 20.90 square miles (54.13Â km2) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13Â km2) is water. 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.
Climate
The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Dfb" (Warm Summer Continental Climate).
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 48,707 people, 19,741 households, and 12,345 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,330.5 inhabitants per square mile (899.8/km2). There were 21,584 housing units at an average density of 1,032.7 per square mile (398.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 70.1% White, 15.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 6.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.5% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.5% of the population.
There were 19,741 households of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.5% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.10.
The median age in the city was 34.3 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.8% were from 25 to 44; 24.3% were from 45 to 64; and 11.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.
As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $48,335, and the median income for a family was $60,391. The per capita income for the city was $24,261. About 9.8% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Kentwood has an Executive Mayor, who also serves as the City Manager, and a legislature consisting of a City Commission. The current mayor is Stephen Kepley, who replaced the retired Mayor Richard Clanton. The Mayor Pro Tempore is selected by the City Commission; Ward 2 Commissioner Michael Brown currently serves in this role. The mayor serves as a voting member of the City Commission and presides over Commission meetings. However, he does not have the power to veto a resolution or ordinance.
Voters in Kentwood elect a mayor, city clerk, and city treasurer to four-year terms, and elect six city commissioners to four-year, staggered terms. Every two years, voters in each of the city's two wards elect one commissioner, while another city commissioner is elected by the city at-large. The most recent election for these offices was held on November 3, 2015. Commissioners Redmond, Coughlin, and Brown all retained their seats.
Major highways
M-11 runs along 28th Street.
M-37 runs along East Beltline Avenue and Broadmoor Avenue to the south.
I-96 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.
Schools
The main public school district in Kentwood is the Kentwood Public Schools, consisting of one high school, one freshman campus, three middle schools, ten active elementary schools, and one closed elementary school which has become home to the early childhood programs:
- East Kentwood High School
- 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 Early Childhood Center
Also included within Kentwood's city limits are the Forest Hills Public Schools and Kelloggsville Public Schools.
Trails
Kentwood has five trails:
- Paul Henry Rail Trail from 44th Street and Kalamazoo to 60th Street and Wing Avenue
- East-West Trail from Division Avenue to Breton Avenue
- Plaster Creek 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 Library district. The Kentwood Branch Library opened in 2010 on Breton Avenue, next to Kentwood City Hall. The library is located on reclaimed ground from an old landfill. The Environmental Protection Agency and Kent County installed a methane flare to burn excess methane from the decaying landfill in 2015. Previously, the Kentwood Library had been located on Kalamazoo Avenue south of 44th Street.
Kentwood Mine
The Kentwood Mine is an underground gypsum mine in Kentwood, at 42.890°N 85.579°W / 42.890; -85.579 (Kentwood Mine). Opened in 1971 and closed in 2000, it was operated by Georgia-Pacific.
Notable people
- Kristen Kish, Season 10 winner of Top Chef
- Mike Knuble, former NHL hockey player
- Harry L. Rinker, antique expert and host of Watcha Got? on Genesis Communications Network.
- David McIntyre, Season 2 winner of Alone on History Channel
References
External links
- Interactive Map from GRNow