Ottawa County
Surrounded by nature
Median $400K·Walkability 5.2/10
Spreading across more than a million acres in West Michigan, Ottawa County stretches from Lake Michigan's shoreline inland through farmland, small towns, and parks that define the landscape between the lakeshore and Grand Rapids—a drive of about 45 minutes away. The county's identity is rooted in agriculture and heritage: you'll find the world's largest pickle factory here, processing over a million pounds daily during peak season, alongside 40 county parks with more than 150 miles of trails threading through 7,400 acres of open space. A nine-story working Dutch windmill built in 1761, the only one of its kind still operating in America, stands as a tangible reminder of the area's deep historical roots, and the Tulip Time Festival draws thousands of visitors each spring. Homes here—mostly ranch-style properties—run around $399K, and you're minutes from groceries, restaurants, and coffee shops with over 1,700 dining options within a mile and hundreds of stores nearby. Grand Haven's beach is just 14 minutes away, making weekend water access genuinely convenient, while the county ranks as Michigan's second-healthiest by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and boasts the fifth-lowest property tax rate among Michigan's 83 counties.
Why people love it here
Lake life
- Kenowa Lake within walking distance
- Palomita Reserve: 5 min walk
- Lakeshore Trail: 6 min walk
$87K median household income
- $400K median · 3213 sales in last 12mo
Walkable for daily errands
- Palomita Reserve: 5 min walk
- 3 places within a 10 min walk
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Ottawa County
Estimated Monthly Payment
$2,716/mo
Property tax and insurance are estimates you can edit — not a quote. Tap either figure to enter your own.
The interest rate shown is not an annual percentage rate (APR). Rate displayed is the current average 30-year fixed rate from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey and is subject to change without notice. Your actual rate, payment, and costs may vary. Contact a loan officer for a personalized quote.
Guild Mortgage NMLS #3274. Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS Consumer Access. Not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to underwriter approval; terms and conditions may apply. Subject to change without notice. Always consult an accountant or tax advisor for full eligibility requirements on tax deduction.
3213 homes sold in Ottawa County this year. Thinking of selling?
See what your home is worthFlood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
Kirk Park
10.4 mi
Parks Nearby
0
within 1 mile
Nearest Lake
Kenowa Lake
0.0 mi
Median Income
$87K
Household
Median Sale · Houses
$414K
2546 sales in last 12mo
Median Sale · Condos
$355K
666 sales in last 12mo
Expected Rent
$1,575/mo
$1,450 – $1,700 · estimated range
Walkability
Fair
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Palomita Reserve
+1 more
Windsnest Park Playground
Little Pigeon Creek
Beach on Margaret Avenue
Trillium Ridge
Lakeshore Trail
Pigeon Lake Launch
Grand Haven 9
In 2024, the most common reported offenses in Ottawa County were larceny / theft (518 per 100,000 residents) and aggravated assault (146 per 100,000 residents), per FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
For perspective, homicide — the most serious crime — was reported at about 0.001% of the population, roughly 1 in 100,000 residents.
| Offense type | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|
| Larceny / theft | 518 |
| Aggravated assault | 146 |
| Burglary | 85 |
| Rape | 52 |
| Motor-vehicle theft | 46 |
| Robbery | 5 |
| Arson | 3 |
| Homicide | 1 |
Reported offenses per 100,000 residents, Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024). Comparison cities are the nearest in population, ordered by size — not ranked by crime. Crime is reported at the jurisdiction level and varies block to block within any community.
To buy a median-priced Ottawa County home (around $400,000) at today's 6.66% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $65k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $2,453 (principal, interest, property tax, and insurance).
The typical Ottawa County household earns $87,144 — above what the median home requires. At that income, a buyer can afford roughly $548,000 with 20% down.
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $2,453/mo | $65,411 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $2,860/mo | $76,266 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $2,997/mo | $79,915 |
Estimates use a 6.66% 30-year fixed rate (current Freddie Mac average), an aggressive ~45% housing-to-income ratio (roughly what FHA underwriting can allow for a buyer with no other monthly debts — your number depends on your debts and credit), this area's median sale price and median property taxes, plus estimated insurance and PMI below 20% down. Not a commitment to lend, and not an APR — your actual rate and payment will vary.
Land for sale
Listings
168 parcels
Active / pending
Typical Land Value
$50K/acre
Median asking
Median Price
$180K
Per listing
Multifamily for sale
Listings
22 buildings
Active / pending
Median Price
$394K
Per building
Price Per Unit
$177K
Median
Who actually lends in Ottawa County, and how homes here are financed — from 2024 federal mortgage records.
Loans to buy a home
Most active lenders
Homeowners refinancing an existing mortgage
Most active lenders
Source: 2024 HMDA (CFPB/FFIEC). Neighborhood figures are area-weighted estimates from census-tract data; loan amounts are rounded and all-cash purchases are excluded.
Solar potential
~6,380 kWh/yr
Produces ~6,380 kWh/yr · offsets ~61% of a typical home's use
Municipal / public water
Based on assessor parcel records
Municipal sewer
Based on assessor parcel records
Utility, solar, and service details for Ottawa County are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and NREL / U.S. data.gov, and can change. Electric/gas can vary by address — confirm with the provider before relying on them.
Median Income
$87K
Home Value (Census)
$291K
Expected Rent
$1,575/mo
$1,450 – $1,700 · estimated range
Atlas — Grand Rapids Real Estate
Local real estate specialists
Questions about Ottawa County? Our team can help with availability, schools, and what it's really like to live here.
Frequently asked about Ottawa County
- What do homes cost in Ottawa County?
- The median home value in Ottawa County is about $400,000. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Ottawa County housing market?
- there are 937 homes for sale in Ottawa County right now, and 3213 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Ottawa County?
- Ottawa County is served by School District Not Defined.
- Is Ottawa County walkable?
- Ottawa County scores 5.2/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.
