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MICROPOLITAN AREA

Big Rapids Micro

Big Rapids, MI · 1 counties · 42,320 residents (2025 est.) · 555.155 sq mi
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#45Fastest shrinkingof 918-7.2%
The short version

Big Rapids has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $60,951. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $178,900.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% 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
41,242
+2%since 2000
from 40,553 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
74 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 73 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.0
+25%since 2000
from 31.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:42,320 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
37K39K40K42K44K1990201020202024Big Rapids
202441K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$60,951
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,849 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,951
+83%since 2000
from $16,372 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
39.9%
+21.5 ptssince 2009
from 18.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
19.9%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 16.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.416
−6%since 2010
from 0.442 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade15%
US avg: 9.9%
Information10.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance5.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$178,900
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $86,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$934
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $470 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
76.9%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 73.7% in 2000
23.1% rent
Vacancy rate
21.0%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 23.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.0%
−7.6 ptssince 2009
from 26.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.0%
−13.9 ptssince 2009
from 58.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.9
+15%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
40
RELATED:See current rent listings in Big Rapids on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.9%(37,259)
Black3.6%(1,450)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(520)
Asian0.9%(346)
Other0%
Diversity Score14%(5,679)
Segregation Score0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic89.6%(36,950)
Black2.1%(882)
Hispanic / Latino3%(1,217)
Asian0.7%(299)
Other4.6%(1,894)
Diversity Score24.2%(9,992)
Segregation Score16.1%(6,641)
Diversity Score
24
+73%since 2000
from 14 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
16
−37%since 2020
from 26 in 2020
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.5%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.4%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 83.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.7%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 7.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.7 min
+28%since 2000
from 18.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 76.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.6%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.7%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.4%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.1%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.0%
−11.3 ptssince 2011
from 15.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
54.4%
−2.8 ptssince 2011
from 57.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.1%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.0%
−29.0 ptssince 2009
from 62.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.2%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Female
49.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Foreign born
2.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.2%
−43.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2012
from 15.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.8%
−78.2 ptssince 2013
from 86.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.0%
+11.9 ptssince 2017
from 70.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.9%
−2.5 ptssince 2016
from 96.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2016
from 0.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
In this metro

Principal cities

Big RapidsCENTRAL8,623
What's inside

1 component county

Mecosta CountyCENTRAL42,320
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Big Rapids

Duncan
Pop 44,310
Alexander City
Pop 40,953
Burlington
Pop 44,061
Bucyrus
Pop 41,896
Places similar to Big Rapids
Head to head

Compare Big Rapids side by side

BIG RAPIDS VS
Duncan
Income$61,620+1%
Home value$145,300−19%
Population44,310+5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BIG RAPIDS VS
Alexander City
Income$59,356−3%
Home value$158,500−11%
Population40,953−3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BIG RAPIDS VS
Burlington
Income$62,831+3%
Home value$132,051−26%
Population44,061+4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BIG RAPIDS VS
Bucyrus
Income$58,044−5%
Home value$136,700−24%
Population41,896−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Big Rapids, MI?

Big Rapids, MI has about 41,242 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Big Rapids, MI earns about $60,951 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Big Rapids, MI expensive?

In Big Rapids, MI, the median home is worth about $178,900, and the typical rent is about $934 a month.

How educated are people in Big Rapids, MI?

About 22.5% of adults age 25 and over in Big Rapids, MI hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Big Rapids, MI?

About 19.9% of people in Big Rapids, MI live below the federal poverty line.

Has Big Rapids, MI grown since 1990?

Yes, Big Rapids, MI has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,934 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Big Rapids, MI: population, income & housing data · CensusEasy