Kentwood, Michigan
Kentwood is a city of 54,296 people in Kent County, Michigan, founded in 1967.
Why visit Kentwood
Townapedia lists 8 museums and landmarks, 47 parks and trails, 173 places to eat, 30 places to stay and 9 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Division Avenue–Plaster Creek Bridge (1914), Momma D's Kitchen, John W. Blodgett Estate and Kingsley Building.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 82°F; January lows average 17°F.
Weather in Kentwood
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Kentwood
Kentwood is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 54,304 as of the 2020 census. The city is bordered on the northwest by Grand Rapids and is the third most-populated municipality in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area.
From the Wikipedia article Kentwood, Michigan (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do9
Division Avenue–Plaster Creek Bridge (1914)
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 4.4 mi
Bridge in United States of America
Momma D's Kitchen
Farm and orchard · 0.8 mi
4455 Breton Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids
Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-15:00
Davenport University
School · 3.9 mi
Private university in Michigan, US
Ramona Park
Monument and historic site · 4.7 mi
Amusement park in Michigan, USA
Wealthy Theatre
Cinema and theater · 5.4 mi
Movie theater in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Celebration Cinema South
Cinema and theater · 3.0 mi
1506 Eastport Drive Southeast
Museums and landmarks8
John W. Blodgett Estate
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.2 mi
Historic house in Michigan, United States
Kingsley Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.5 mi
Historic building in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Mathias J. Alten House and Studio
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.7 mi
United States historic place
Old Grand Rapids Christian High School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.5 mi
Private school building located at 415 Franklin Street SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan
President Gerald R. Ford, Jr. Boyhood Home
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.5 mi
Historic house in Michigan, United States
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Saint Joseph Seminary
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.2 mi
Former seminary building in Michigan
Paddock Place
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.8 mi
Parks, trails and playgrounds47
Calvin Ecosystem Preserve
Hiking and trails · 3.5 mi
Ecosystem Preserve on land owned by Calvin University. Open to the public from dawn until dusk. Includes trails and ponds. Bikes, dogs,...
1750 East Beltline Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids
07:00-dusk
Northeast Park
Park · 3.5 mi
Includes sports fields and walking trails.
1900 Middleground Drive Southeast, Kentwood
35 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes173
Anna's House
Restaurant · Breakfast · 2.4 mi
2409 East Beltline Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids
Mo-Su 06:00-15:00
Bagel Beanery
Restaurant · Bagel, Coffee Shop, Sandwich · 2.0 mi
2845 Breton Avenue Southeast
Mo-Fr 06:00-14:00; Sa-Su 07:00-14:00
Condado Tacos
Restaurant · Mexican · 3.2 mi
1874 Breton Avenue Southeast
Fr-Sa 11:00-00:00; Su-Th 11:00-23:00
CoreLife Eatery
Restaurant · Organic · 3.0 mi
2461 Burton Street Southeast, Grand Rapids
Mo-Su 11:00-20:30
Nu-thai Bistro
Restaurant · Thai · 2.3 mi
2055 28th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids
Mo-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr 11:00-22:00; Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 12:00-21:00
Osaka Sushi Steakhouse
Restaurant · Japanese · 3.1 mi
4977 28th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids
Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00; Su 12:00-21:00
Starbucks
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 3.0 mi
2480 Burton Street Southeast, Grand Rapids
Mo-Fr 05:30-21:00; Sa-Su 06:00-21:00
Starbucks
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 3.1 mi
5070 28th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids
Su 06:30-21:00; Mo-Th 05:30-21:00; Fr-Sa 05:30-22:00
Faro's Italian Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza · 2.3 mi
3963 28th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids
Mo-Th 11:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-00:00; Su 16:00-23:00
Sip Coffee and Cocktails
Cafe · 3.7 mi
2350 Eastern Avenue Southeast
Mo 07:00-15:00; Tu-Th 07:00-15:00,16:00-22:00; Fr...
161 more on the map.
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 is located in Kent County, which was named after jurist James Kent.
The City of Kentwood was incorporated on its third try to avoid losing land to the nearby City of Grand Rapids which had annexed several key properties before then. After considering several options, the City of Kentwood was given that name because the driving force behind incorporation, first Mayor Peter M. Lamberts, decided to name it after the largest public school system in the area, the Kentwood Public Schools. Other names under consideration were Plaster Creek, for the largest river/creek that flowed through the area, and Paris, as the city was incorporated from Paris Township, but there was another Paris, Michigan, an unincorporated community in the center of the state, and that name was nixed to avoid confusion.
The city's first mayor was Peter M. Lamberts, who served in that post for its first 12 years, from 1967 until 1979. Subsequent mayors have included Marvin Hoeflinger (1979–1981), Gerald DeRuiter (1981–1992), Bill Hardiman (1992–2002), Richard Root (2002–2012), Richard Clanton (2012–2013), and Stephen Kepley (2013–present).
From the History section of Kentwood, Michigan on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay30
Baymont Inn & Suites Grand Rapids Airport
Motel and hotel · 3.6 mi
2873 Kraft Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids
Best Western Hospitality Hotel & Suites
Motel and hotel · 3.6 mi
5500 28th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Grand Rapids Airport
Motel and hotel · 2.9 mi
4747 28th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids
Churches and places of worship27
Brookside Christian Reformed Church
Church · Christian Reformed Church In North America · 1.9 mi
3600 Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids
Plymouth Heights Christian Reformed Church
Church · Reformed · 3.5 mi
1800 Plymouth Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids
Boston Square Christian Reformed Church
Church · Reformed · 3.9 mi
1803 Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids
Church of the Servant Christian Reformed Church
Church · Reformed · 3.2 mi
3835 Burton Street Southeast, Grand Rapids
Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church
Church · Orthodox · 3.0 mi
2250 East Paris Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids
Seymour Christian Reformed Church
Church · Reformed · 3.6 mi
840 Alger Street Southeast, Grand Rapids
Shopping46
Gas and EV charging41
N & M BP - Gas & Food
Gas station · 3.8 mi
2763 Madison Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids
Schools, colleges and libraries82
Davenport University - W.A. Lettinga Main Campus
School · 4.0 mi
6191 Kraft Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids
Healthcare11
CVS Pharmacy
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.9 mi
5225 Eastern Avenue Southeast, Kentwood
Passport Health Grand Rapids Travel Clinic
Clinic and pharmacy · 3.5 mi
1550 East Beltline Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids
Map of Kentwood
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30°F | 17°F | 2.5 in |
| Feb | 33°F | 18°F | 2.1 in |
| Mar | 44°F | 25°F | 2.5 in |
| Apr | 57°F | 36°F | 3.9 in |
| May | 70°F | 48°F | 4.0 in |
| Jun | 78°F | 57°F | 3.9 in |
| Jul | 82°F | 62°F | 3.8 in |
| Aug | 80°F | 60°F | 3.6 in |
| Sep | 73°F | 52°F | 3.4 in |
| Oct | 60°F | 41°F | 3.9 in |
| Nov | 47°F | 32°F | 3.1 in |
| Dec | 35°F | 24°F | 2.5 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Nwsfo Grand Rapids (2 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Kent County has had 7 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for floods.
- 2024-02-08: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Flood)
- 2020-03-27: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2013-06-18: Flooding (Flood)
- 2005-09-07: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
- 2004-06-30: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 4 miles away.
- East Grand Rapids 4 mi north, about 7 min by car
- Cutlerville 5 mi southwest, about 8 min by car
- Grand Rapids 6 mi northwest, about 10 min by car
- Forest Hills 7 mi northeast, about 12 min by car
- Grandville 8 mi west, about 13 min by car
- Jenison 12 mi west, about 19 min by car
- Comstock Park 12 mi north, about 19 min by car
- Allendale 19 mi west, about 31 min by car
- Holland 27 mi west, about 43 min by car
- Ionia 27 mi east, about 43 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Bailey House-Kentwood, rossograph, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Kentwood, United States (Unsplash j0dw8kTxgmM), Kari Shea karishea, CC0
- Sofa Side Table Kentwood (Unsplash), Kari Shea karishea, CC0
- Bailey House - Kentwood Historic Site Marker, Nbierma, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Calvin Chapel and Hiemenga Hall, Rememberdefcow, CC0
- Grand Rapids Christian High, rossograph, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Kingsley Building, Gpwitteveen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Plaster Creek Bridge 2, Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- Mathias Alten House and Studio - 1, Investor, CC BY-SA 3.0
- John W. Blodgett Estate -1, SSTEFFEK, CC BY-SA 3.0
- President Gerald R. Ford, Jr. Boyhood Home - 1, SSTEFFEK, CC BY-SA 3.0
- St Joseph Seminary Grand Rapids postcard, unknown (postcard), Public domain
- ISS047-E-10116 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS047-E-10115 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS013-E-62265 - View of Wisconsin, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- Sam Malcolm Balances a Fire Torch on his Nose during the 2019 Michigan Busker Festival, Don Tate, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sam Malcolm poses for a crowd while holding fire torches during the 2019 Michigan Busker Festival, [Don Tate], CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sam Malcolm engages a crowd with juggling knives and fire torches during the 2019 Michigan Busker Festival, Don Tate, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cookie Traditions (Unsplash), Kari Shea karishea, CC0
- N911 W END FOX (5598452396), Russell Sekeet, CC BY 2.0
- Bailey Octagon House 01, Nbierma, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bailey Octagon House from South, Nbierma, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 28th & East Beltline, Brian Rawson-Ketchum from Springfield, MI, US, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Von Maur store, Woodland Mall, Grand Rapids, Michigan, WMrapids, CC0
- Woodland Mall 2025, WMrapids, CC0
- Harris's Sparrow, Grand Rapids, MI, 5 May 2016 (26237834143), Caleb Putnam, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Harris's Sparrow (26569660670), Caleb Putnam, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Do Owens dream of robot sheep?, Marie-Claire Camp from Grand Rapids, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Frederik Meijer Trail & M-6, Imzadi1979, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Lida Hasbrouck, Lidarosehasbrouck, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Geese on a bridge at East Paris Nature Park, BicycleNerd, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Steelcase Global Headquarters, WMrapids, CC0
- G010 Plymouth street (4029503801), Russell Sekeet, CC BY 2.0
- Calvin College Chapel, Ejd24, CC BY-SA 3.0
- M-6, Kalamazoo Ave Interchange, Michigan Department of Transportation, Public domain
- South Beltline '99(2), The original uploader was Trance88 at English Wikipedia ., Public domain
- M-6, Kalamazoo Ave Interchange cropped, Michigan Department of Transportation, Public domain
- Calvin aerial, Michael Shade, CC0
- Breton Village Shopping Center, Grand Rapids, United States (Unsplash), Brenna Hogan brennahogan, CC0
- M7CL, Sasschary, CC BY-SA 4.0
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