Georgetown charter
RANK #345 / 996 NAT · #29 / 36 MI · POP 296,183
1YR FORECAST: +3.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
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.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.8x 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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 65/100, Ottawa County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $83,932 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in MI.
Housing in Ottawa County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $269,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $1,080/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Ottawa County's population is growing — up +0.8% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -1.0%). Home values shifted +5.3% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 5.83% 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.
Home values climbed +5.3% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Ottawa County is now valued at $269,200. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.