Walker, Michigan | |
---|---|
City of Walker | |
![]() Location within Kent County | |
Coordinates: 43°00′52″N85°41′33″W / 43.01444°N 85.69250°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Michigan |
County | Kent |
Established | 1837 (Walker Township) |
Incorporated | 1962 |
Government | |
• Type | City commission |
• Mayor | Gary Carey, Jr. |
• Clerk | Sarah Bydalek |
• Manager | Darrel Schmalzel |
• Commission [1] | Commissioners
|
Area | |
• Total | 25.14 sq mi (65.12 km2) |
• Land | 24.58 sq mi (63.66 km2) |
• Water | 0.57 sq mi (1.47 km2) |
Elevation | 709 ft (216 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 25,132 |
• Density | 1,022.54/sq mi (394.81/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
ZIP code(s) | |
Area code | 616 |
FIPS code | 26-82960 [4] |
GNIS feature ID | 1627209 [3] |
Website | Official website |
Walker is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was estimated to be 25,086 in 2022.
Walker was originally organized as Walker Township in 1837 and later incorporated as a city in 1962. It is part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area and is bordered by the city of Grand Rapids on the east.
The area was first organized as Walker Township on December 30, 1837, the second to be organized in Kent County. It initially comprised all of the land in the county north of the Grand River. Shortly thereafter in 1838, part of the township was split off to form Ada Township. The earliest settlers of the township were Canadian immigrants. In 1867, a township hall was built. However, the area where the township hall was annexed into Grand Rapids in 1959.
Walker was established as a city in 1962 to prevent further annexation of the area into Grand Rapids. At the time it was made a city, Walker had a population of 11,000. [5]
The city gained national attention when Gwendolyn Graham and Cathy Wood committed their murders as workers at a nursing home in Walker in 1987.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.14 square miles (65.11 km2), of which 24.58 square miles (63.66 km2) is land and 0.57 square miles (1.48 km2) (2.27%) is water. [6]
The city of Walker operates with a City commission government, with six elected officials serving on a commission plus an appointed city manager. The city government is represented by three wards, each with two elected commissioners, which are overseen by an elected mayor.
The city levies an income tax of 1% on residents and 0.5% on nonresidents. [7]
School districts serving the City of Walker include Comstock Park Public Schools, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grandville Public Schools, and Kenowa Hills Public Schools. [10]
Kenowa Hills schools in the Walker city limits include the Kenowa Hills Early Childhood Center/Day Care & Learning Center, [11] (previously Walker Station Elementary School [12] ) Kenowa Hills Central Elementary School, [13] (formerly Kenowa Hills Intermediate School [14] ) and Zinser Elementary School. [15] The district previously operated Fairview Elementary School in Walker. [16] Kenowa Hills district residents are zoned to Kenowa Hills Middle School and Kenowa Hills High School in Alpine Township.
One Grandville school, Cummings Elementary, is in the city limits. [17]
One National Heritage Academies charter school, Walker Charter Academy, is in the city limits. [18]
Covenant Christian High School and Hope Protestant Reformed Christian School are located in Walker.
The Kent District Library Walker Branch is in Walker. [19]
The DeltaPlex Arena is within Walker and was home to the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League, which is an affiliate of the Denver Nuggets. [20]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1970 | 11,492 | — | |
1980 | 15,088 | 31.3% | |
1990 | 17,279 | 14.5% | |
2000 | 21,842 | 26.4% | |
2010 | 23,537 | 7.8% | |
2020 | 25,132 | 6.8% | |
U.S. Decennial Census |
As of the 2020 United States census, [21] the city had a population of 25,139 people. The racial makeup of the city was 84.9% Non-Hispanic White, 2.8% Black or African American, 3.2% Asian, 0.5% Native American, and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.2% of the population.
As of the census [22] of 2010, there were 23,537 people, 9,684 households, and 5,923 families living in the city. The population density was 943.7 inhabitants per square mile (364.4/km2). There were 10,432 housing units at an average density of 418.3 per square mile (161.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.3% White, 2.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.1% of the population.
There were 9,684 households, of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.8% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.05.
The median age in the city was 34.6 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.7% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 12.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.
As of the census [4] of 2000, there were 21,842 people, 8,805 households, and 5,379 families living in the city. The population density was 868.3 inhabitants per square mile (335.3/km2). There were 9,201 housing units at an average density of 365.8 per square mile (141.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.51% White, 1.47% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.98% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.09% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.75% of the population.
There were 8,805 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 12.4% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,818, and the median income for a family was $58,912. Males had a median income of $37,438 versus $28,372 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,198. About 3.1% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.
Eaton Rapids Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,991 at the 2020 United States Census.
Fife Lake is a village in southeastern Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Its population was 456 at the 2020 census, up from 443 at the 2010 census. The village is part of the Traverse City metropolitan area, and lies upon the shore of the lake of the same name.
Ada Township is a civil township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 14,388 at the 2020 census.
Alpine Township is a civil township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 14,079 at the 2020 census.
Cannon Township is a civil township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 13,336 at the 2010 census.
Comstock Park is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 10,500 at the 2020 census. The community is located within Alpine Township to the west and Plainfield Township to the east.
East Grand Rapids is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,371.
Grand Rapids Charter Township is a charter township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 18,905 at the 2020 census.
Grandville is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 15,378 at the 2010 census.
Grattan Township is a civil township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 3,809.
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.
Northview is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 14,541 at the 2010 census. The community is located mostly within Plainfield Township with a very small portion extending into Grand Rapids Township to the south.
Sparta Township is a civil township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,395 at the 2020 census.
Wyoming is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 76,501 at the 2020 census. Wyoming is the second most-populated community in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area and is bordered by Grand Rapids on the northeast. After Grand Rapids, it is also the second most-populated city in West Michigan.
Fruitport Charter Township is a charter township of Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 14,575 at the 2020 census. The village of Fruitport is within the township.
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. The population of the CDP was 17,211 as of the 2000 census. The current estimated population for the entire Jenison ZIP code, 49428, is 25,770. The geographical boundaries of the ZIP code are larger than that of the CDP.
Tallmadge Charter Township is a charter township of Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 8,802 at the 2020 census.
Plainfield Charter Township is a charter township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 33,535 at the 2020 census.
Solon Township is a civil township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,496 at the 2020 census, a notable increase from 5,974 at the 2010 census.
Kenowa Hills Public Schools is a school district headquartered in Alpine Township, Michigan in Greater Grand Rapids. It serves portions of Alpine Township, the City of Walker, and Wright Township.