Signals
Jenison
Walker
Opportunity
44 · Bottom 25%
vs54 · Bottom 45%
Climate
62 · Bottom 22%
vs62 · Bottom 22%
Physical resilience
95 · Top 4%
vs94 · Top 5%
Housing affordability
69 · Bottom 33%
vs88 · Top 36%
Schools
82 · Top 11%
vs64 · Top 34%
Access
95 · Top 34%
vs96 · Top 31%
Economic stability
72 · Top 23%
vs75 · Top 17%
Measured values
| Metric | Jenison | Walker | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,582 | 25,386 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $89,593 | $76,360 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $36,822 | $40,951 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,003/sq mi | 1,033/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $281,600 | $295,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,306 | $1,202 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 87.9% | 65.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 2.9% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -7.4% | -7.4% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 38.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 3.7% | 7.6% | 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 | 14 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.8 min | 21.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 37.7 | 36.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 7 | 9 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 15.41 | 16.77 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 55.7% | 44.4% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 68.4% | 57.7% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 24.5% | 40.7% | 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.
Full profiles: Jenison, MI · Walker, MI · How this is calculated: methodology