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CITY · 2020 ACS

Big Rapids

Michigan · 7,727 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 $28,628. Population has fallen 29% since 2000, a loss of 3,122 residents. Median home value is $100,100. At a median age of 23.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 37.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 52% less than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 23.7
US median: 38.8
Average education
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 7%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
7,727
−29%since 2000
from 10,849 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,738 / sq mi
−29%since 2000
from 2,441 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
23.7
+9%since 2000
from 21.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
7K9K10K12K13K1990201020202024Big Rapids
20248K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$28,628
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,192 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$15,736
+47%since 2000
from $10,719 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
16.0%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
37.7%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 35.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information18.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade7.3%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance2.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services2.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration1.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical1.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.2%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$100,100
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$675
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $462 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
37.6%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 36.1% in 2000
62.4% rent
Afford Score
3.5
−2%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic80.9%(6,249)
Black5.7%(440)
Hispanic / Latino4.5%(351)
Asian2%(157)
Other3.1%(239)
Diversity Score35.8%(2,767)
Diversity Score
36
+8%since 2000
from 33 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.5%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 31.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.2%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 87.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
12.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.1 min
+8%since 2000
from 13.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
71.1%
+10.5 ptssince 2009
from 60.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
11.7%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.8%
−14.5 ptssince 2011
from 22.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.4%
+3.9 ptssince 2011
from 58.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.0%
−35.4 ptssince 2009
from 65.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.8%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 56.0% in 2009
Female
46.2%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 44.0% in 2009
Foreign born
1.7%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.9%
−77.4 ptssince 2013
from 84.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Big Rapids to nearby cities

BIG RAPIDS VS
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Income$44,706+56%
Home value$173,100+73%
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BIG RAPIDS VS
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BIG RAPIDS VS
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BIG RAPIDS VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Big Rapids, Michigan?

Big Rapids, Michigan has about 7,727 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Big Rapids, Michigan earns about $28,628 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 $100,100, and the typical rent is about $675 a month.

How educated are people in Big Rapids, Michigan?

About 29.5% 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 37.7% 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 4,876 residents, a change of about -39 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 →