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CITY

Big Rapids

Michigan · 8,623 residents (2025 est.) · 4.445 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#10Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-27.1%#84Youngest by median ageof 6,82622.9#252Shortest commutesof 6,82614.9
The short version

Big Rapids has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,858. Population has fallen 22% since 2000, a loss of 2,372 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $156,400. At a median age of 22.9, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 34.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 40% less than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 22.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
8,477
−22%since 2000
from 10,849 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,907 / sq mi
−22%since 2000
from 2,441 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
22.9
+5%since 2000
from 21.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:8,623 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7K9K10K12K13K1990201020202024Big Rapids
20248K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,858
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,192 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,446
+119%since 2000
from $10,719 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
25.8%
+16.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
34.1%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 35.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.479
−10%since 2010
from 0.533 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade10.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services5.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade2.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration1.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$156,400
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$929
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $462 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
41.5%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 36.1% in 2000
58.5% rent
Vacancy rate
13.2%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.3%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 24.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.0%
−16.9 ptssince 2009
from 66.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.6
Unchangedsince 2000
from 3.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
62
RELATED:See current rent listings in Big Rapids on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic82.4%(8,939)
Black10.6%(1,147)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(199)
Asian2.2%(237)
Other0%
Diversity Score33.2%(3,601)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.4%(7,327)
Black5.9%(500)
Hispanic / Latino2.7%(233)
Asian1.2%(98)
Other3.8%(319)
Diversity Score30.9%(2,619)
Diversity Score
31
−7%since 2000
from 33 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.9%
−4.9 ptssince 2000
from 31.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.3%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 87.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.9%
−5.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.9 min
+15%since 2000
from 13.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
67.7%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 60.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.4%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
9.0%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
12.8%
−15.8 ptssince 2009
from 28.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.9%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
15.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.3%
−17.9 ptssince 2011
from 22.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.2%
+6.8 ptssince 2011
from 58.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.7%
−9.2 ptssince 2009
from 21.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
34.3%
−31.1 ptssince 2009
from 65.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.3%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 56.0% in 2009
Female
47.7%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 44.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.9%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.6%
−54.8 ptssince 2009
from 57.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2012
from 11.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.2%
−78.1 ptssince 2013
from 84.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.3%
+8.8 ptssince 2017
from 73.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.2%
+3.9 ptssince 2016
from 94.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.7%
−0.5 ptssince 2016
from 1.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Big Rapids, Michigan?

Big Rapids, Michigan has about 8,477 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Big Rapids, Michigan?

The typical household in Big Rapids, Michigan earns about $43,858 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Big Rapids, Michigan expensive?

In Big Rapids, Michigan, the median home is worth about $156,400, and the typical rent is about $929 a month.

How educated are people in Big Rapids, Michigan?

About 26.9% of adults age 25 and over in Big Rapids, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Big Rapids, Michigan?

About 34.1% of people in Big Rapids, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has Big Rapids, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, Big Rapids, Michigan has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 4,126 residents, a change of about -33 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →