RANK #797 / 1001 NAT · #36 / 36 MI · POP 301,203
1YR FORECAST: +1.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +14%
Ottawa County, Michigan, stands out for its freshwater coastline along Lake Michigan and its strong Dutch heritage, particularly evident in towns like Holland. Located between Grand Rapids and Lake Michigan, the county offers a blend of scenic beauty and community life. Commuting to Grand Rapids is common, and public transportation options like Harbor Transit and Hope Network Transportation serve various communities within the county. The area boasts numerous parks and trails, including the Grand River Greenway, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and water activities.
Life in Ottawa County is characterized by a high quality of life, with highly-rated public schools such as Holmes Elementary and West Ottawa Public Schools. The economy is diverse, supported by agriculture, food processing, and durable goods manufacturing. Recent economic developments include expansions by companies like Coca-Cola in Coopersville and ongoing residential and infrastructure projects, reflecting the county's consistent population growth.
Ottawa County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +4.7% matches the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 12.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Ottawa County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 20/100, Ottawa County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $90,502 combined with job growth of -1.9% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Ottawa County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $323,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,211/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Ottawa County is attracting residents (population +0.9% YoY) even as the job market softens with employment at -1.9%. Housing values changed +4.7% over the past 12 months. People may be moving here for affordability or lifestyle reasons rather than job opportunities.
In significant numbers — 5.16% of Ottawa County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.