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. 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.

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.

Jenison gained its name from the Jenison family's sawmill, which opened in 1864. A post office called Jenisonville was established in 1872, and the name was changed to Jenison in 1887.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the community has a total area of , of which is land and (0.85%) is water.

Demographics

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.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

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. Jenison Christian School, a private school for grades Preschool through 8th grade, is also located in Jenison.

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
  • Mark Dewey, retired Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Kevin DeYoung, pastor, author
  • Paul Grasmanis, retired player in the National Football League
  • Richard Grenell, diplomat and ambassador
  • Benny McCoy, retired Major League Baseball infielder
  • Andy Ponstein, ARCA driver
  • Glenn Duffie Shriver, convicted of attempted espionage.