Jenison, Michigan

{{other uses|Jenison (disambiguation)}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Jenison, Michigan |settlement_type = Census-designated place (CDP) & unincorporated community |image_skyline = Jenison.jpg |imagesize = 275 |image_caption = Intersection of Cottonwood and Baldwin |image_seal = |nickname = |pushpin_map =Michigan#USA |pushpin_label_position =right |pushpin_label =Jenison |pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of Michigan##Location within the United States |pushpin_mapsize = |image_map = Jenison_(CDP),_MI_location.png |mapsize = 250 |map_caption = Location within Ottawa County |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |coordinates = {{coord|42|54|20|N|85|47|31|W|region:US-MI_type:city_source:GNIS|display=inline,title}} |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name1 = Michigan |subdivision_name2 = Ottawa |subdivision_type3 = Township |subdivision_name3 = Georgetown |established_title = Settled |established_date = 1836 |government_type = |area_magnitude = |area_total_km2 = 15.36 |area_total_sq_mi = 5.93 |area_land_km2 = 15.16 |area_land_sq_mi = 5.86 |area_water_km2 = 0.20 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.08 |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |elevation_m = 184 |elevation_ft = 604 |population_total = 16640 |population_as_of = 2020 |population_density_km2 = |population_density_sq_mi = 2839.59 |population_note = |postal_code_type = ZIP code(s) |postal_code = 49428, 49429 |area_code = 616 |website = |footnotes = |timezone = EST |utc_offset = -5 |timezone_DST = EDT |utc_offset_DST = -4 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 26-41680<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 0629253<ref>{{GNIS|0629253}}</ref> |pop_est_as_of = |pop_est_footnotes = |population_est = |population_footnotes = |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_26.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 21, 2022}}</ref> }} '''Jenison''' is a census-designated place (CDP) in Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The community is located within Georgetown Charter Township. As of the 2020 census, Jenison had a population of 16,640.<ref name="Census2020PLLede">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N&for=place%3A41680&in=state%3A26|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=March 11, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> The current estimated population for the entire Jenison ZIP code, 49428, is 26,156. The geographical boundaries of the ZIP code are larger than that of the CDP.

It is a bedroom community in proximity to Grand Rapids.<ref name=WiseWashingtonian>Wise, David. "[https://washingtonian.com/2012/06/07/chinas-mole-in-training/ Mole-in-Training: How China Tried to Infiltrate the CIA]." ''Washingtonian''. July 7, 2012. Retrieved on April 24, 2016.</ref> ==History== The area that Jenison occupies was first inhabited by Peoria and Odawa indigenous peoples, and later populated by white settlers in 1836 as a lumber site along the Grand River.<ref>{{cite web |title=ABOUT THE JENISON HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION |url=http://www.jenisonhistory.org/index.php?content_id=5 |website=jenisonhistory.org |access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref> Jenison gained its name from the Jenison family's sawmill, which opened in 1864.<ref>{{cite book|title=History of Ottawa County|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i9CqXCa8nx0C&pg=PA98|year=1882|page=98}}</ref> A post office called Jenisonville was established in 1872, and the name was changed to Jenison in 1887.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=MI&county=Ottawa&searchtext=&pagenum=2 | title=Ottawa County | publisher=Jim Forte Postal History | access-date=29 March 2016}}</ref>

==Geography== According to the United States Census Bureau, the community has a total area of {{convert|5.9|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|5.8|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.1|sqmi|km2}} (0.85%) is water.

==Demographics== {{US Census population | 2000 = 17211 | 2000n =<ref name="2000Census">{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2002/dec/phc-1-24.pdf|title=2000 Census of Population and Housing: Michigan|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=September 29, 2025}}</ref> | 2010 = 16538 | 2010n =<ref name="2010Census">{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2012/dec/cph-1-24.pdf|title=2010 Census of Population and Housing: Michigan|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=September 29, 2025}}</ref> | 2020 = 16640 | footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}</ref> | align = right | align-fn = center }} thumb|left|125px|The Husband-Hanchett house at Port Sheldon and Main, a State of Michigan historical site and home of the Jenison Museum.

===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, Jenison had a population of 16,640. The median age was 39.2 years. 25.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.5 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=place%3A41680&in=state%3A26|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 27, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=place%3A41680&in=state%3A26|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 27, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=place%3A41680&in=state%3A26|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 27, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 6,222 households in Jenison, of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 63.3% were married-couple households, 11.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 6,482 housing units, of which 4.0% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 16.7%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL"/> ! Race !! Number !! Percent |- | White || 15,127 || 90.9% |- | Black or African American || 158 || 0.9% |- | American Indian and Alaska Native || 43 || 0.3% |- | Asian || 142 || 0.9% |- | Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 4 || 0.0% |- | Some other race || 232 || 1.4% |- | Two or more races || 934 || 5.6% |- | ''Hispanic or Latino (of any race)'' || 719 || 4.3% |}

===2000 census=== As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 17,211 people, 5,975 households, and 4,863 families residing in the community. The population density was {{convert|2,940.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 6,065 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,036.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the community was 98.84% White, 0.49% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.77% of the population.

There were 5,975 households, out of which 39.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.5% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.6% were non-families. 16.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the community, the population was spread out, with 28.9% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

The median income for a household in the community was $56,426, and the median income for a family was $61,957. Males had a median income of $46,738 versus $28,204 for females. The per capita income for the community was $21,021. About 1.8% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over. ==Major highways== *{{jct|state=MI|M|121|name1=Chicago Drive}} *{{jct|country=USA|I|196}}

==Major roads==

* Baldwin Street * Bauer Road * Cottonwood Drive * Chicago Drive * Rosewood Street

==Schools== {{See also|Jenison Public Schools}} The majority of the community is located within the Jenison Public School District. A small portion is located within the Hudsonville Public School District.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st26_mi/schooldistrict_maps/c26139_ottawa/DC20SD_C26139.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Ottawa County, MI|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|page=1 (PDF p. 2/2)|accessdate=2022-10-06}}</ref> Jenison Christian School, a private school for grades Preschool through 8th grade, is also located in Jenison.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About - Jenison Christian School |url=https://www.jenisonchristian.org/about/ |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=www.jenisonchristian.org}}</ref>

==Notable people== * Caleb Baragar, professional baseball player for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball * David Brandt, retired player in the National Football League<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nflhs.com/News/Features/2001NFLMichigan_10152001_sim.asp |title=USA Football: It's more than a game |access-date=2008-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313224931/http://www.nflhs.com/News/Features/2001NFLMichigan_10152001_sim.asp |archive-date=2008-03-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * Mark Dewey, retired Major League Baseball pitcher<ref>[http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/D/Mark-Dewey.shtml Mark Dewey Statistics - The Baseball Cube]</ref> * Kevin DeYoung, pastor, author * Paul Grasmanis, retired player in the National Football League<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131202222012/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=GRASMPAU01Paul Grasmanis Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards - databaseFootball.com]}}</ref> * Richard Grenell, diplomat and ambassador * Benny McCoy, retired Major League Baseball infielder<ref>{{Cite web|title=Benny McCoy Statistics and History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccoybe01.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=September 25, 2013}}</ref> *Andy Ponstein, ARCA driver<ref>[http://www.andyponstein.com/index.asp Welcome to Andy Ponstein - Home] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707142859/http://www.andyponstein.com/index.asp |date=July 7, 2011 }}</ref> *Glenn Duffie Shriver, convicted of attempted espionage.<ref name=WiseWashingtonian/>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category|Jenison, Michigan}} *[http://www.georgetown-mi.gov/ Georgetown Charter Township] *[http://grandvillejenisonchamber.com/ Grandville-Jenison Chamber of Commerce] *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120213103947/http://www.jpsonline.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 Jenison Public Schools]}} *[http://jenisonchristian.org/ Jenison Christian School] *[http://www.georgetownll.com/ Georgetown Little League] *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20081225180824/http://georgetown-mi.gov/library/default.htm Georgetown Township Library]}}

Category:Unincorporated communities in Ottawa County, Michigan Category:Census-designated places in Michigan Category:Unincorporated communities in Michigan Category:Census-designated places in Ottawa County, Michigan Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1836 Category:1836 establishments in Michigan Territory