Walker, Michigan
Walker, Michigan | |
---|---|
City of Walker | |
![]() Location withinKent 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] |
GNISfeature ID | 1627209[3] |
Website | Official website |
Walkeris a city inKent Countyin the U.S. state ofMichigan.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 theGrand Rapids metropolitan areaand is bordered by the city ofGrand Rapidson the east.
History
[edit]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 theGrand River.Shortly thereafter in 1838, part of the township was split off to formAda 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 whenGwendolyn Graham and Cathy Woodcommitted their murders as workers at a nursing home in Walker in 1987.
Geography
[edit]According to theU.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]
Major highways
[edit]I-96runs along the north side of the city.
US 131passes briefly through the northeastern part of the city.
M-11(Wilson Avenue and Remembrance Drive) runs south–north through the western edge of the city.
M-37(Alpine Avenue) enters from the north of the city and then runs concurrently with I-96.
M-45(Lake Michigan Drive) runs west–east briefly through the center of the city.
Government
[edit]The city of Walker operates with aCity commission government,with six elected officials serving on a commission plus an appointedcity 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]
Economy
[edit]- The corporate headquarters forMeijerare located in the city of Walker.[8]
- The headquarters forBissell Homecare, Inc.is located in the city of Walker.[9]
- A facility of theGrand Rapids Pressis in Walker.
Media
[edit]Newspaper
[edit]- The Grand Rapids Presshas its printing and distribution facility in Walker.
Television
[edit]Radio
[edit]- WTRV100.5 MHz is licensed to Walker. However, the studio is located in downtown Grand Rapids.
Education
[edit]Public schools
[edit]School districts serving the City of Walker includeComstock Park Public Schools,Grand Rapids Public Schools,Grandville Public Schools,andKenowa 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 andKenowa Hills High SchoolinAlpine Township.
One Grandville school, Cummings Elementary, is in the city limits.[17]
OneNational Heritage Academiescharter school, Walker Charter Academy, is in the city limits.[18]
Private schools
[edit]Covenant Christian High Schooland Hope Protestant Reformed Christian School are located in Walker.
Public libraries
[edit]TheKent District LibraryWalker Branch is in Walker.[19]
Sports
[edit]TheDeltaPlex Arenais within Walker and was home to theGrand Rapids Goldof theNBA G League,which is an affiliate of theDenver Nuggets.[20]
Demographics
[edit]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 |
2020 census
[edit]As of the2020 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.HispanicorLatinopeople of any race were 5.2% of the population.
2010 census
[edit]As of thecensus[22]of 2010, there were 23,537 people, 9,684 households, and 5,923 families living in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 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% fromother races,and 2.1% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof 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% weremarried couplesliving 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.
2000 census
[edit]As of thecensus[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% fromother races,and 1.45% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof 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% weremarried couplesliving 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. Theper capita incomefor the city was $21,198. About 3.1% of families and 6.1% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.
Sister city
[edit]- Walker is the sister city ofColac, Victoriain Australia.
Notes
[edit]- ^The city is served by the 49534 and 49544 ZIP Codes, which are designated asGrand Rapids,although Walker is also an approved name for mailing purposes for both.
References
[edit]- ^City of Walker."Elected City Officials".RetrievedJuly 10,2020.
- ^"2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedMay 21,2022.
- ^abU.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Walker, Michigan
- ^ab"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.Retrieved2008-01-31.
- ^History of Walker
- ^"2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJuly 25,2020.
- ^Gibbons, Lauren (August 16, 2017)."Michigan State University, city of East Lansing at odds over proposed income tax".MLive Lansing.Mlive Media Group.RetrievedAugust 16,2017.
- ^"Ask a Question."Meijer.Retrieved on December 25, 2012. "Meijer 2929 Walker Ave., NW Grand Rapids, MI 49544-9424"
- ^"Contact Us."Bissell Inc.Retrieved on December 25, 2012. "2345 Walker Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI 49544"
- ^"School District Map."(Archive) City of Walker. Retrieved on December 25, 2012.
- ^"Kenowa Hills Early Childhood Center."Kenowa Hills Central Elementary School. Retrieved on December 26, 2012." 3971 Richmond Court NW Grand Rapids, MI 49534 "
- ^"Walker Station Home Page."Walker Station Elementary School. February 17, 2006. Retrieved on December 26, 2012." 3971 Richmond Ct. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49534 "
- ^"Welcome to Kenowa Hills Central Elementary School."Kenowa Hills Central Elementary School. Retrieved on December 26, 2012." 4252 3 Mile Road, NW Grand Rapids, MI 49534 "
- ^"Kenowa Hills Intermediate School."Kenowa Hills Public Schools.October 18, 2006. Retrieved on December 26, 2012. "4252 Three Mile Road. N.W. Grand Rapids, MI 49534"
- ^"Welcome to Zinser Elementary."Zinser Elementary School. Retrieved on December 26, 2012." 1234 Kinney, NW Grand Rapids, MI 49534 "
- ^"Fairview Elementary."Kenowa Hills Public Schools.January 12, 2008. Retrieved on December 26, 2012. "2396 Hillside N.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49544"
- ^"Cummings Elementary."Grandville Public Schools.Retrieved on December 26, 2012. "4261 Schoolcraft SW, Grand Rapids MI 49534"
- ^"Home."Walker Charter Academy. Retrieved on December 26, 2012." 1801 Three Mile Road NW Walker, MI 49544 "
- ^"Walker Branch."Kent District Library.Retrieved on December 27, 2012. "4293 Remembrance Rd. NW, Walker, MI 49534"
- ^"Fans get first taste of Grand Rapids Drive atmosphere at DeltaPlex Arena"
- ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedMay 9,2024.
- ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.Retrieved2012-11-25.