Comstock Park, Michigan

Comstock Park, Michigan
—  CDP  —
The Mill Creek Water Wheel is a well-known landmark in Dwight Lydell Park downtown.
Location of Comstock Park, Michigan
Coordinates: 43°2′19″N 85°40′12″W / 43.03861°N 85.67°W / 43.03861; -85.67
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Kent
Area
- Total	3.9 sq mi (10.1 km2)
- Land	3.9 sq mi (10.1 km2)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	659 ft (201 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	10,674
- Density	2,735.0/sq mi (1,056.0/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	49321
Area code(s)	616
FIPS code	26-17700[1]
GNIS feature ID	0623677[2]

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
• Alpine Township
• Algoma Township

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.

History

1838

Established as "North Park" by Daniel North.

One of Comstock Park's many sprawling apartment complexes.

1848

Name changes to "Mill Creek." Becomes a major transportation hub, serving both the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad and Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad, and sets the tone for becoming the northern Grand Rapids-area crossroads it is today.

1906

Renamed "Comstock Park" after Charles C. Comstock, 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 census^[1] 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).

5/3 Ballpark hosts the West Michigan Whitecaps in addition to seasonal concerts, festivals, and the famous "Night Lights" holiday light display.

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.

Coordinates: 43°02′19″N 85°40′12″W / 43.03861°N 85.67°W / 43.03861; -85.67

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.

The White Pine Trail will bring bicyclists north to Rockford, or south to downtown Grand Rapids

Freeways & Highways

I-96

US 131

The Rapid bus line serves Comstock Park via Alpine Avenue

Major Thoroughfares

• Alpine Avenue (M-37)
• 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 Partnership, or The Rapid.
• The White Pine Trail State 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 Trails, which goes through Grand Rapids, Grandville, Walker, Wyoming and Byron Township.

See also

• Kent District Library
• West Michigan Whitecaps

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Comstock Park, Michigan