Comstock Park, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Comstock Park is a prosperous suburban community in the northern part of Metropolitan Grand Rapids
, Michigan
, United States
, that comprises parts of three neighboring townships:
Plainfield Township, with a population of 30,195 as of the 2000 census
, makes up most of Comstock Park. As it is defined, Comstock Park's population is approximately 10,674. "The Park", as it is often referred to, sits approximately 7 miles (11 km) north of downtown Grand Rapids.
The area is notorious for the flooding it experiences every spring from the Grand River
, which cuts through the eastern side of Comstock Park. It's not unusual to witness residents wading through knee-deep water to get to their homes along the river. Comstock Park is perhaps best known as home of the West Michigan Whitecaps
, an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers
.
and Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad
, and sets the tone for becoming the northern Grand Rapids-area crossroads it is today.
, who represented the district in Congress from 1885-1886.
Source: PublicSchoolsReport.com
See Also: Comstock Park School Webpage
of 2000, there were 10,674 people, 4,441 households, and 2,513 families residing in the community. The population density
was 2,735.0 per square mile (1,056.7/km²). There were 4,654 housing units at an average density of 1,192.5 per square mile (460.7/km²). The racial makeup of the community was 87.30% White, 3.91% African American, 0.77% Native American, 1.92% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.33% from other races
, and 2.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.22% of the population.
There were 4,441 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.5% were married couples
living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.7% 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 2.98.
In the community the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 20.4% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 16.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.5 males.
The median income for a household in the community was $40,202, and the median income for a family was $47,154. Males had a median income of $36,076 versus $26,331 for females. The per capita income
for the community was $19,911. About 7.9% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.
Grand Rapids metropolitan area
The metropolitan area surrounds the central city of Grand Rapids, Michigan.Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is located in the outskirts of Grand Rapids,the Grand Rapids Art Museum, and the DeVos Place Convention Center both in downtown Grand Rapids....
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, that comprises parts of three neighboring townships:
- Plainfield TownshipPlainfield Township, Kent County, MichiganPlainfield Charter Township is a charter township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. According to the 2000 census, the population was 30,195 . The township forms part of the metro Grand Rapids area. It derives its name from the extinct lumbertown of Plainfield founded in 1838 by Andrew...
- Alpine Township
- Algoma Township
Plainfield Township, with a population of 30,195 as of the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, makes up most of Comstock Park. As it is defined, Comstock Park's population is approximately 10,674. "The Park", as it is often referred to, sits approximately 7 miles (11 km) north of downtown Grand Rapids.
The area is notorious for the flooding it experiences every spring from the Grand River
Grand River (Michigan)
The Grand River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It runs through the cities of Jackson, Eaton Rapids, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Grand Haven.-Description:...
, which cuts through the eastern side of Comstock Park. It's not unusual to witness residents wading through knee-deep water to get to their homes along the river. Comstock Park is perhaps best known as home of the West Michigan Whitecaps
West Michigan Whitecaps
The West Michigan Whitecaps are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home games are played in Comstock Park, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids.-Franchise history:...
, an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
.
1838
Established as "North Park" by Daniel North.1848
Name changes to "Mill Creek." Becomes a major transportation hub, serving both the Grand Rapids and Indiana RailroadGrand Rapids and Indiana Railroad
The Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad at its height provided passenger and freight railroad services between Cincinnati, Ohio and the Straits of Mackinac in Michigan, USA...
and Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad
Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad
The Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad was the owner of Dearborn Station in Chicago and the trackage leading to it. It was owned equally by five of the railroads using it to reach the terminal, and kept those companies from needing their own lines into the city...
, and sets the tone for becoming the northern Grand Rapids-area crossroads it is today.
1906
Renamed "Comstock Park" after Charles C. ComstockCharles C. Comstock
Charles Carter Comstock was a businessman and politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.-Family and early life:...
, who represented the district in Congress from 1885-1886.
Education
Comstock Park Public Schools consist of six networked schools: Greenridge Elementary School (Preschool), Stoney Creek Elementary School (K-2), Pine Island Elementary School (3-5), Mill Creek Middle School (6-8), Comstock Park High School (9-12) and North Kent Alternative High School (9-12).District population breakdown
- Greenridge Elementary School: 224 Students
- Stoney Creek Elementary School: 362 Students
- Pine Island Elementary School: 456 Students
- Mill Creek Middle School: 465 Students
- Comstock Park High School: 658 Students
- North Kent (Alternative) High School: 101 Students
- Total District enrollment: 2266
Source: PublicSchoolsReport.com
See Also: Comstock Park School Webpage
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 10,674 people, 4,441 households, and 2,513 families residing in the community. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,735.0 per square mile (1,056.7/km²). There were 4,654 housing units at an average density of 1,192.5 per square mile (460.7/km²). The racial makeup of the community was 87.30% White, 3.91% African American, 0.77% Native American, 1.92% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.33% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.22% of the population.
There were 4,441 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.7% 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 2.98.
In the community the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 20.4% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 16.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.5 males.
The median income for a household in the community was $40,202, and the median income for a family was $47,154. Males had a median income of $36,076 versus $26,331 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the community was $19,911. About 7.9% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Comstock Park, since it became a hub for rail transit in the mid 19th century, has evolved into a true crossroads in northern suburban Grand Rapids. "The Park" is quickly accessible from surrounding suburbs as well as downtown Grand Rapids.Freeways & Highways
Major Thoroughfares
- Alpine Avenue (M-37M-37 (Michigan highway)M-37 is a north–south state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. The southern terminus is near the border between Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties at exit 92 of Interstate 94 southwest of Battle Creek. The northern terminus is at the Mission Point Light on Old Mission Point in Grand...
) - West River Drive
- 3 Mile Road
- 4 Mile Road
Other transit
- A bus line serves Comstock Park via Alpine Ave/M37 through the Interurban Transit PartnershipInterurban Transit PartnershipThe Interurban Transit Partnership operates a public transport system called The Rapid, which provides bus service to the Grand Rapids, Michigan metropolitan area and beyond...
, or The Rapid. - The White Pine Trail State ParkWhite Pine Trail State ParkFred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park is a long linear state park in the U.S. state of Michigan.The trail extends from northern Grand Rapids to Cadillac, and it lies on the path graded for the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad. The White Pine Trail is a rail trail park...
runs through the core of Comstock Park, giving residents access to 92 miles of biking/walking trails heading north to Cadillac or south, connecting to Kent TrailsKent TrailsKent Trails is a fifteen mile rail trail in Kent County, Michigan that runs through the cities of Grand Rapids, Grandville, Walker, Wyoming and Byron Townshipand is part of a network of trails in and around Grand Rapids...
, which goes through Grand Rapids, GrandvilleGrandville, MichiganGrandville is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 16,263 at the 2000 census. Grandville is one of the oldest suburbs of Grand Rapids, and was incorporated as a city in 1933....
, WalkerWalker, MichiganWalker is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan and a suburb of Grand Rapids. The population was 23,537 at the 2010 census. Before incorporating as a city, it was known as Walker Township...
, WyomingWyoming, MichiganWyoming is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 72,125. That makes it the 2nd largest community or city in West Michigan, the 14th largest city in the state of Michigan, and the 18th largest community in the state as well...
and Byron TownshipByron Township, MichiganByron Township is a civil township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 17,553.- Communities :...
.