Signals
Jenison
Grand Rapids
Opportunity
44 · Bottom 25%
vs30 · Bottom 6%
Climate
62 · Bottom 22%
vs62 · Bottom 22%
Physical resilience
95 · Top 4%
vs94 · Top 6%
Housing affordability
69 · Bottom 33%
vs85 · Top 43%
Schools
82 · Top 11%
vs39 · Bottom 33%
Access
95 · Top 34%
vs99 · Top 14%
Economic stability
72 · Top 23%
vs57 · Bottom 44%
Measured values
| Metric | Jenison | Grand Rapids | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,582 | 198,535 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $89,593 | $69,108 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $36,822 | $35,921 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,003/sq mi | 4,434/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $281,600 | $244,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,306 | $1,266 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 87.9% | 54.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 5.1% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -7.4% | -7.4% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 41.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 3.7% | 16.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 83°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 19°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 39.4" | 39.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 15 mi | 9 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.8 min | 20.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 37.7 | 32.3 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 7 | 60 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 15.41 | 16.35 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 55.7% | 25.2% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 68.4% | 38.7% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 24.5% | 61.8% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Your best match
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Jenison
74
Your Score
—
Area Score
Grand Rapids
65
Your Score
61
Area Score
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Full profiles: Jenison, MI · Grand Rapids, MI · How this is calculated: methodology