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CITY · 2010 ACS

Big Rapids

Michigan · 10,601 residents · 4.445 sq mi
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The short version

Big Rapids has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $20,068. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $103,000. At a median age of 21.8, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 43.5% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 59% less than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 21.8
US median: 37.2
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
10,601
−2%since 2000
from 10,849 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,385 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 2,441 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
21.8
Unchangedsince 2000
from 21.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
7K9K10K12K13K1990201020202024Big Rapids
20248K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$20,068
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,192 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$12,360
+15%since 2000
from $10,719 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
12.9%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
43.5%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 35.0% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.533
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information16.3%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade5.7%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2.4%
Wholesale trade2.1%
US avg: 7.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.6%
US avg: 3.1%
Finance & insurance0.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical0.8%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration0.4%
US avg: 4.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$103,000
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,000 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$575
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $462 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
21.5%
−14.6 ptssince 2000
from 36.1% in 2000
65.9% rent
Vacancy rate
11.2%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
23.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 24.2% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
61.4%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 66.9% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
5.1
+44%since 2000
from 3.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic86.5%(9,169)
Black6.7%(706)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(252)
Asian1.5%(155)
Other2.4%(254)
Diversity Score29.6%(3,137)
Diversity Score
30
−11%since 2000
from 33 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.2%
−10.5 ptssince 2000
from 31.7% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
85.4%
−1.9 ptssince 2000
from 87.3% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
8.4%
−4.9 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
11.7 min
−10%since 2000
from 13.0 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
61.9%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 60.6% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
4.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
26.5%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 28.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
2.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
15.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
19.5%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 21.9% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
26.3%
−39.2 ptssince 2009
from 65.4% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.5%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 56.0% in 2009
Female
46.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 44.0% in 2009
Foreign born
3.3%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
4.4%
−53.0 ptssince 2009
from 57.4% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Big Rapids

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Pop 9,299
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Pop 7,796
Micco
Pop 8,896
Beverly Hills
Pop 9,650
Places similar to Big Rapids
Head to head

Compare Big Rapids to nearby cities

BIG RAPIDS VS
Mount Pleasant
Income$44,706+123%
Home value$173,100+68%
Population20,925+143%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BIG RAPIDS VS
Greenville
Income$63,285+215%
Home value$184,200+79%
Population9,256+7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BIG RAPIDS VS
Cadillac
Income$51,773+158%
Home value$134,300+30%
Population10,438+21%
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BIG RAPIDS VS
Northview
Income$85,403+326%
Home value$289,300+181%
Population15,268+77%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Big Rapids, Michigan?

Big Rapids, Michigan has about 10,601 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Big Rapids, Michigan earns about $20,068 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 $103,000, and the typical rent is about $575 a month.

How educated are people in Big Rapids, Michigan?

About 21.2% 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 43.5% 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 2,002 residents, a change of about -16 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 →

Big Rapids, Michigan (2010): demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy