Moving to Big Rapids, Michigan

Population: 10,849. Estimated population in July 2024: 10,704 (-1.3% change)
Males: 5,668 (52.2%), Females: 5,181 (47.8%)

Mecosta County

Zip code: 49307

Demographics

Median resident age: 21.8 years
Median household income: $20,192
Median house value: $75,400

Population by Race

Races in Big Rapids:

  • White Non-Hispanic (82.4%)
  • Black (10.6%)
  • Two or more races (2.3%)
  • Hispanic (1.8%)
  • American Indian (1.2%)
  • Asian Indian (0.5%)

Ancestries: German (23.7%), Irish (11.3%), English (8.1%), Polish (6.4%), Dutch (4.6%), French (4.3%).

Elevation: 282 feet

Land area: 4.2 square miles

Map of Big Rapids, MI

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Big Rapids

  • High school or higher: 87.3%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 31.7%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 13.3%
  • Unemployed: 24.5%
  • Mean travel time to work: 13.8 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Big Rapids city

  • Never married: 47.4%
  • Now married: 40.1%
  • Separated: 0.7%
  • Widowed: 4.3%
  • Divorced: 7.5%

3.5% Foreign born (1.8% Asia, 0.6% Africa, 0.6% Europe, 0.4% North America).

Population change in the 1990s: -1,475 (-12.0%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Big Rapids:

  • MECOSTA COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL (405 WINTER)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Big Rapids:

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Big Rapids:

Other public-use airports nearest to Big Rapids:

Amtrak station:
BIG RAPIDS (120 N. MICHIGAN AVE.) – Bus Station. Services: intercity bus service.

Colleges and Universities

College/University in Big Rapids:

  • FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY (Full-time enrollment: 8,593; Location: 901 S STATE ST; Public; Website: www.ferris.edu/; Offers Master’s degree)

Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Big Rapids:

  • CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY (about 45 miles; MT PLEASANT, MI; Full-time enrollment: 21,353)
  • GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 52 miles; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; Full-time enrollment: 7,590)
  • AQUINAS COLLEGE (about 53 miles; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; Full-time enrollment: 2,022)
  • CALVIN COLLEGE (about 54 miles; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; Full-time enrollment: 4,148)
  • GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY (about 59 miles; ALLENDALE, MI; Full-time enrollment: 15,124)
  • MUSKEGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 59 miles; MUSKEGON, MI; Full-time enrollment: 2,365)
  • NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE (about 72 miles; TRAVERSE CITY, MI; Full-time enrollment: 2,343)

Schools

Public high schools in Big Rapids:

  • BIG RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 673; Location: 21175 15 MILE ROAD; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • CROSSROADS CHARTER ACADEMY (9-12) (Students: 136; Location: 215 WEST SPRUCE STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • NEW DIRECTIONS HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 95; Location: 21485 15 MILE ROAD; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Big Rapids:

  • BIG RAPIDS MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 488; Location: 500 N. WARREN AVENUE; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • CROSSROADS CHARTER ACADEMY (Students: 449; Location: 215 N. STATE STREET; Grades: KG – 08)
  • RIVERVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 249; Location: 509 WILLOW AVENUE; Grades: 01 – 05)
  • BROOKSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 249; Location: 210 ESCOTT STREET; Grades: 01 – 05)
  • HILLCREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 219; Location: 501 W. BRIDGE STREET; Grades: KG – 05)
  • EASTWOOD EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER (Students: 199; Location: 410 N. 3RD AVENUE; Grades: PK – KG)
  • MECOSTA-OSCEOLA EDUCATION CENTER (Students: 148; Location: 15700 190TH AVENUE; Grades: UG – UG)
  • MECOSTA-OSCEOLA ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION CENTER (Location: 15800 190TH AVENUE; Grades: UG – UG)
  • MECOSTA-OSCEOLA CAREER CENTER (Location: 15830 190TH AVENUE; Grades: UG – UG)

Private primary/middle schools in Big Rapids:

  • ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 134; Location: 927 MARION AVENUE; Grades: PK – 8)
  • ST PETER LUTHERAN SCHOOL (Students: 120; Location: 408 WEST BELLEVUE; Grades: PK – 8)

Libraries

Library in Big Rapids:

  • BIG RAPIDS COMMUNITY LIBRARY (Operating income: $405,505; Location: 426 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE; 66,900 books; 2,169 audio materials; 2,361 video materials; 125 serial subscriptions)