Zoo Goes Boo at John Ball Zoo
John Ball Zoo, Grand Rapids
$22.95 adults, $16.95 youth and seniors, members free.
Home / Grand Haven / Living in Grand Haven
Living in Grand Haven
Grand Haven is a city in Ottawa County where the Grand River meets Lake Michigan. The Census Bureau estimates 11,038 people lived here in July 2025. Its historic downtown runs along Washington Avenue, a few blocks from the Grand River waterfront.
Every fact links to where we read it. Sponsors can't change anything on this page.
Quick facts
- People in the city
- 11,038July 1, 2025 Census estimate, up from 11,002 in the April 2020 estimates baseSource
- Schools
- Grand Haven Area Public SchoolsCheck an address with the district's boundary mapSource
- Downtown Grand Rapids
- About 45 minAbout 33 miles from City Hall, no traffic. Estimate
- Gerald R. Ford International Airport
- About 1 hrAbout 45 miles from City Hall, no traffic. Estimate
- Property tax
- About 34 mills2025 total for a homestead: 34.0702 mills, or 52.0702 mills without the homestead exemptionSource
Neighborhoods
Downtown Established
A 14-block historic district between Harbor Drive, 7th Street, Franklin Street and Columbus Street, with City Hall, Central Park and the downtown shops.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools Source
East End Established
The city's largest historic district, over 24 blocks between Fulton, Pennoyer, Beacon and Beechtree, including houses built for Eagle Ottawa tannery workers.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools Source
Highland Park Established
Historic district just east of Harbor Drive between Lake Avenue and Grand Avenue, first developed in the 1880s as a summer resort.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools Source
Old Town and the Northwest district Established
About 12 blocks just north of downtown, between Columbus Street, Jackson Avenue, First Street and Fifth Street, mostly prewar single-family homes on small lots.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools Source
Southside Established
Historic Italianate and Queen Anne homes between Franklin Street, Howard Street, Harbor Drive and Beacon Boulevard.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools Source
Washington Square Established
Small business district along Ferry Street east of US-31, surrounded by older homes along Madison Street and Washington Avenue.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools Source
Names and boundaries come from the city's 2023 master plan. Elementary school assignment follows the GHAPS boundary map.
Schools
Grand Haven Area Public Schools: Grand Haven and nearby townships GHAPS boundary map (Find My School)
Grand Haven Area Public Schools campuses Source
High schoolsGrand Haven High School
Central High School
Central High School
Middle and intermediateLakeshore Middle School (grades 7 and 8)
White Pines Intermediate School (grades 5 and 6)
White Pines Intermediate School (grades 5 and 6)
Elementary schoolsFerry Elementary
Griffin Elementary
Lake Hills Elementary
Peach Plains Elementary
Robinson Elementary
Rosy Mound Elementary
Griffin Elementary
Lake Hills Elementary
Peach Plains Elementary
Robinson Elementary
Rosy Mound Elementary
A normal week here
Trick-or-Treat at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Grand Rapids Children's Museum, Grand Rapids
Included with admission.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: The Greatest Show on Earth
Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids
Blue October: The Foiled 20th Anniversary World Tour
GLC Live at 20 Monroe, Grand Rapids
Everything this week in Grand Haven · Friday nights · The Brunch list · Kids
Property taxes
| Who taxes it | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total for a homestead (PRE), Grand Haven Area Public Schools | 34.0702 mills | Source |
| Total without the homestead exemption | 52.0702 mills | Source |
| School operating tax (charged only without the homestead exemption) | 18 mills | Source |
| 2025 total for a homestead | 34.07 mills |
Michigan bills property tax by millage: one mill is $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value, and taxable value is usually well below market value (assessed value is half of market value, and taxable value is capped while you own the home). The homestead exemption (Principal Residence Exemption) matters a lot: it removes the 18-mill school operating tax, so file the affidavit with the city assessor when you buy. Grand Haven's bill includes city operating, public safety, Harbor Transit, infrastructure, museum and Council on Aging millages, Loutit District Library, Ottawa Area ISD, Grand Haven schools debt and sinking fund, the state education tax and Ottawa County millages. Downtown DDA properties pay an extra DDA millage.
The basics
TrashRepublic Services handles trash, recycling and yard waste; call 877-698-7274 to start service. Curbside yard waste runs April 1 to December 31. New resident information
WaterCity of Grand Haven water and sewer; pay at the City Treasurer's office or online. City utilities
PowerGrand Haven Board of Light and Power, a community-owned electric utility. Call 616-846-6250 to start service. Start BLP service
VotingGrand Haven City Clerk at City Hall, 519 Washington Ave, handles voter registration. Check your registration at Michigan.gov/Vote. City Clerk
LibraryLoutit District Library, 407 Columbus Ave. Loutit District Library
The short version
Quick answers
How many people live in Grand Haven, Michigan?
11,038. July 1, 2025 Census estimate, up from 11,002 in the April 2020 estimates base.
What school district is Grand Haven in?
Grand Haven Area Public Schools: Grand Haven and nearby townships
How far is Grand Haven from Grand Rapids?
About 45 min to downtown Grand Rapids, about 33 miles from City Hall, no traffic. Estimate.
What is the property tax rate in Grand Haven, Michigan?
About 34.07 mills per $100 of taxable value, 2025 total for a homestead, adding up Total for a homestead (PRE), Grand Haven Area Public Schools, Total without the homestead exemption, School operating tax (charged only without the homestead exemption). Homestead and other exemptions lower the bill.
What neighborhoods are in Grand Haven?
Downtown, East End, Highland Park, Old Town and the Northwest district, Southside, Washington Square.
When is trash pickup in Grand Haven?
Republic Services handles trash, recycling and yard waste; call 877-698-7274 to start service. Curbside yard waste runs April 1 to December 31.
Open spotQuestions go to the agent who presents this page
Thinking about Grand Haven? Ask a question.
When an agent presents this page, questions from here go straight to them, and nowhere else.
Claim Grand HavenAlso: Living in Grand Rapids · Living in East Grand Rapids · Living in Holland