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Living in
Northview.
Northview is an unincorporated community in Kent County, MI. It has no city government: the county runs it, and the Census counts it as its own place.
About
Life in Northview
If you're considering Northview, you're looking at a stable suburban community of about 15,300 people that functions as the northern edge of the Grand Rapids metro area—close enough to tap into a larger job market but far enough to feel residential. The median household income sits at $85,403, which is solid, and the median home value around $289,300 keeps it reasonably accessible compared to many growing Midwest metros; median rent runs about $1,247 a month if you're leasing. The job market itself isn't the draw here—this is bedroom community territory where most people commute into Grand Rapids proper, averaging around 19 minutes, with an unemployment rate of 4.4% that reflects the broader regional stability.
Northview at a Glance
Population, income, housing and more
Median Age
40.0 yrs
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Foreign-Born
3.6%
Broadband Internet
92.2%
of households
Population Growth
-1.1%
recent change · Census Bureau
Median household income
Demographics3.6% foreign-born, most often from Canada
Who lives in Northview: race and ethnicity, ages, households, languages and countries of origin
In Northview, the largest foreign-born group is from Canada (19.4%), and 1.6% of residents speak Spanish at home.
Under 18
22.1%
of residents
65 and Older
21.9%
of residents
Households with Kids
28.4%
anyone under 18
Living Alone
22.6%
of households
Married Couples
53.9%
of households
Avg Household Size
2.40
people
Race & Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino of any race; other groups are non-Hispanic
Top countries of origin (foreign-born)
Languages Spoken at Home
Cost of Livingrent 10% above MI average
Rent, home values, and income in Northview
In Northview, rent runs 10% above the MI average, and home values are 25% above the MI average.
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
Rent Burdened
43.8%
spending 30%+ of income on rent
Severely Rent Burdened
9.0%
spending 50%+
Cost of Living Index
95.5
metro area (BEA) · US avg = 100
Median Property Tax
$2,956
per year, owner-occupied homes
Homeowners
79.2%
of occupied homes are owned
Typical Home Built
1977
median year built
Vacant Homes
1.6%
of housing units
Home Value Trend
Latest: $357,259 (September 2026)
Jobs & Economyunemployment 0.8 pts below MI average
Unemployment in Northview
Unemployment in Kent County, which includes Northview, is 0.8 percentage points lower than the MI average.
Unemployment rate
Northview: Kent County rate (county-wide) · BLS annual average
Unemployment Rate — 10 Year Trend
Kent County (county-wide) · Annual averages
Northview is about 2% of Kent County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
What Northview Residents Do for Work · share of employed residents by industry
City residents, wherever they work
Commute18.2 min avg
How Northview residents get to work, and the nearest airports
In Northview, most residents drive alone to work (79%), and 86% get there in under 30 minutes.
How People Get to Work
Commute Time Distribution
Nearest airports · with airline service
- 12 mi
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)
Small hub2.1M passengers boarded in 2025
- 115 mi
General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
Medium hub2.9M passengers boarded in 2025
- 127 mi
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Major hub16.3M passengers boarded in 2025
Straight-line distance. Size is the FAA’s hub category, based on passenger traffic: regional airports may have only a few flights a day.
Safetyviolent crime 50% below national average
Crime rates for 2025
Violent crime in the area policed by the Kent County Sheriff's Office, which covers Northview, runs 50% below the national average.
Violent Crime Rate
165
per 100,000 residents
Below average (329 national, 2025)
Property Crime Rate
726.5
per 100,000 residents
Below average (1,552 national, 2025)
Policed by Kent County Sheriff's Office (county-wide rate)
Natural DisastersThunderstorm Wind most common — 7 events in 2025
Natural hazard risk, storms and earthquakes
FEMA National Risk Index
Relatively Moderate
92.2 / 100
Compares expected losses from natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience against every US county (higher = more risk).
Kent County, county-wide · FEMA NRI December 2025
In Kent County, which includes Northview, the most common type is thunderstorm wind, with 7 recorded events in 2025.
Most common events:
Storm events by year
| Year | Events | Top Type | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | Thunderstorm Wind | Not estimated |
| 2024 | 10 | Thunderstorm Wind | $1.5M |
| 2023 | 8 | Thunderstorm Wind | $30.2M |
| 2022 | 7 | Thunderstorm Wind | $625,000 |
| 2021 | 9 | Thunderstorm Wind | $253,000 |
| 2020 | 9 | Thunderstorm Wind | $573,000 |
| 2019 | 12 | Thunderstorm Wind | $11.6M |
| 2018 | 4 | Thunderstorm Wind | $160,000 |
Property damage is the National Weather Service's estimate filed with each event. “None reported” means the events were logged with $0 damage; “Not estimated” means no estimate was filed. Storms covering several counties aren't counted here, since NOAA doesn't split their damage by county.
0 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5+ within 100 miles in the past year
Kent County, county-wide
Northview is about 2% of Kent County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Air Quality52 median AQI — Moderate
Days by air quality category (2025)
Air quality in Kent County, which includes Northview, is typically moderate — acceptable for most people, but can affect those unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Median AQI
52
Good Days
153
per year
Moderate Days
203
per year
Unhealthy Days
2
per year
Kent County, county-wide
Northview is about 2% of Kent County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Climate81°F summers, 19°F winters
30-year climate averages (1991–2020) — monthly temperatures and precipitation
Northview has warm summers (avg high 81°F) and very cold winters (avg low 19°F).
Spring (Mar–May)
57°/35°F
avg high / low
Summer (Jun–Aug)
81°/58°F
avg high / low
Fall (Sep–Nov)
60°/40°F
avg high / low
Winter (Dec–Feb)
33°/19°F
avg high / low
Annual Precipitation
39.6"
Annual Snowfall
74.9"
Hot Days/Year
9
days above 90°F
Freeze Days/Year
143
days below 32°F
Rainy Days/Year
152
Average month
Show month-by-month table ↓Hide table ↑
| Month | High | Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°F | 17°F | 2.72" |
| Feb | 34°F | 18°F | 2.11" |
| Mar | 44°F | 24°F | 2.60" |
| Apr | 57°F | 35°F | 4.10" |
| May | 69°F | 46°F | 4.40" |
| Jun | 79°F | 56°F | 4.03" |
| Jul | 82°F | 60°F | 3.31" |
| Aug | 81°F | 58°F | 3.05" |
| Sep | 74°F | 51°F | 3.52" |
| Oct | 61°F | 40°F | 3.70" |
| Nov | 47°F | 31°F | 3.30" |
| Dec | 36°F | 23°F | 2.76" |
Healthcare
Hospitals, ratings, and health insurance in Northview
Uninsured
4.3%
of residents
No hospitals inside Northview's limits — nearest hospitals · within 15 miles
Spectrum Health
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 5.3 mi away · Grand Rapids
Mercy Health Saint Mary's
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 5.9 mi away · Grand Rapids
Forest View Psychiatric Hospital
Psychiatric · 7.1 mi away · Grand Rapids
Adult Health · vs. the typical US place
Share of adults. Modeled estimates, not counted cases. “US” = the typical US place.
Medicare-certified hospitals only. Doesn’t include clinics, urgent care, or freestanding ERs.
Education15.3:1 student/teacher ratio
Schools and degree attainment in Northview
Northview's student/teacher ratio is 15.3:1 (lower than the national average of 16:1), and 38.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Public Schools
9
within city limits
Private Schools
0
within city limits
College Degree Rate
38.7%
adults 25+ with bachelor's or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
National avg 16:1
Schools located within city limits (2023) — school-level metrics change slowly year to year
Colleges Near Northview (within 15 miles)
Public · 4-year · 18,854 students · in-state tuition $15,872 · 67% graduate · median earnings $60,120 (10 yrs after entry)
Grand Rapids Community College
5.5 mi awayPublic · 2-year · 10,698 students · in-state tuition $4,270 · 24% graduate · median earnings $43,741 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 3,193 students · in-state tuition $40,500 · 78% graduate · median earnings $60,411 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,298 students · in-state tuition $23,400 · 67% graduate · median earnings $52,119 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,083 students · in-state tuition $41,992 · 63% graduate · median earnings $53,667 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 716 students · in-state tuition $17,565 · 32% graduate · median earnings $41,951 (10 yrs after entry)
Degree-granting colleges with 100+ students, placed by campus location (main campuses only — branch campuses are reported under their parent school)
Parks & Recreation
Nearby national parks, recreation areas and public libraries for Northview
Nearby National Parks & Recreation Areas
Public Libraries in Northview
Plainfield Branch
2650 5 Mile Road Ne, Grand Rapids
Cities Near Northview
The closest cities within 60 miles
Planning a move to Northview?
Read our full moving guide — what it's really like to live here.
Northview FAQ
Is Northview, Michigan affordable?⌄
Northview's median rent is $1,247/month, which is below the national average, making it relatively affordable. The median household income is $85,403/year. Median home value is $289,300.
Is Northview, Michigan safe?⌄
Northview is policed by the Kent County Sheriff's Office, whose violent crime rate across its service area was 165 per 100,000 residents in 2025, which is well below the national average — one of the safer cities in the country of 329/100k that year. Property crime rate is 727 per 100,000. As with any city, crime rates vary by neighborhood.
What is the job market like in Northview, Michigan?⌄
Kent County, which includes Northview, has an unemployment rate of 4.4%, which is close to the national average of 4.3%.
What is the cost of living in Northview, Michigan?⌄
The cost of living in Northview is primarily driven by housing. Median rent is $1,247/month and median household income is $85,403/year. The median home value is $289,300. About 44% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
How is the commute in Northview, Michigan?⌄
The average commute in Northview is 18 minutes, which is shorter than average compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Data from the US Census Bureau, BLS, FBI, NOAA, EPA, Zillow Research and other public sources. Where our data comes from