Gaines Charter Township is a charter township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 28,812 at the 2020 census. The township is part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area and is located about 3.0 miles (4.8 km) south of the city of Grand Rapids.

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How Gaines ranks

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#33Most new homes in MI #58Fastest growing in MI #126Most active in MI All MI rankings →

Town numbers

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Living in Gaines

Housing in Gaines

$417K▲ 4.2% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Gaines home is worth about $417,000, up 4.2% in a year, 56% above the Michigan typical home.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Work & commute in Gaines

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Most working residents leave Gaines for work: only 6% work in town. The top destinations are Grand Rapids (20%), Kentwood (11%) and Wyoming (10%). Half commute less than 8 miles.

Grand Rapids

20%

Kentwood

11%

Wyoming

10%

Cascade

6%Work in townlive and work in Gaines 8 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 8,531Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2021 · ACSWork & commute in Gaines →

Health in Gaines

A⁻

Health Grade A−

Healthier than 77% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Michigan

17better than MI

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 15 are too close to call.

Conditions 8▲ 4 close Habits 2▲ 2 close Care 1▲ 6 close Mind 2▲ 3 close Everyday needs 4▲ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

11.7%Fewer adults facing food insecurityMI 15.4% · better 6.7%Fewer adults facing a utility shut-offMI 8.7% · better

Care nearby

University of Michigan Health - WestWyoming · 7 mi · ER

Catherine's Health Center at Streams of HopeGrand Rapids · 4.3 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthNo shortage

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP codes 49316, 49315, 49508 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Gaines →

Natural hazards in Gaines

Very low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 10% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes💨 Strong wind

9Does Gaines flood?paid flood claims since 1981 NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 11 declared for Kent County MapGaines vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Gaines →

Climate in Gaines

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Gaines has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 17°, and about 78 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

34° / 20°Winter

57° / 36°Spring

81° / 59°Summer

61° / 41°Fall

How much snow does Gaines get?About 78 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 20, with the last in spring around Apr 29.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.4° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Gaines →

Schools in Gaines

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School Grade A

The public schools Gaines’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 94% of Michigan’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

#153Best public schoolsof 490 in MI

DistrictKentwood Public SchoolsSchools12

Cross Creek Charter Academy AElementary · Grades K–8 · 809 students Explorer Elementary A-Elementary · Grades K–5 · 556 students Countryside Elementary School A+Elementary · Grades K–4 · 426 students Townline Elementary B-Elementary · Grades K–5 · 320 students Dutton Elementary School AElementary · Grades PK–4 · 317 students Southwood Elementary BElementary · Grades K–5 · 302 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within MI. Ratings are from neighbors.