Ottawa County Population Growth Continues

If the latest population estimates are any indication, Ottawa County is indeed where you belong. The estimates were released by the US Census Bureau naming Ottawa County the fastest growing in the state between 2010 and 2018 with an 10.12% increase. Ottawa County was also the fasting growing last year in Michigan among the ten largest counties in the state. The county’s population is now an estimated 290,494–up 3,572 new residents since 2017 numbers were tabulated last March. Ottawa County remains the 8th most populated in Michigan.

“The fact that once again, Ottawa County leads Michigan population growth is yet another indicator of the quality of life we enjoy here:  bountiful natural resources and parks, strong employment base with innovative business, great K-12 and higher educational opportunities, low crime and access to health care make Ottawa County THE place to be,” said Al Vanderberg, Ottawa County Administrator.

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Tunnel Park – Ottawa County. Photo Credit: Mike Lozon

Other Ottawa County highlights:
Ottawa County was the second fastest growing county in the State between 2017 and 2018, behind Kalkaska County (1.2% growth for Ottawa and 1.3% growth for Kalkaska)
48% of Ottawa’s population growth between 2010 and 2018 was the result of a natural increase, meaning there were more births than deaths in the county (natural increase of 12,826 people)
52% of Ottawa’s population growth between 2010 and 2018 was the result of a positive net migration, meaning more people moved into the county than moved out of the county (net migration of 14,031 people)

Kent and Allegan Counties have also grown at considerable rates since 2010 at 8.49% and 5.31% respectively.

For more details, visit miOttawa.org or the US Census Bureau.