City

Big Rapids, MI

1 ZIP code  ·  Mecosta County  ·  Michigan

👥18,063Population
💰$54,803Median HH Income▼ 28% below avg
🎂31.4Median Age
🏠$179,600Median Home Value▼ 36% below avg
🎓42.5%College Grads▲ 10% above avg
📊5.0%Unemployment≈ Avg
People & Population (ACS 2023 — weighted avg)
♂ Male 49.1% Female 50.9% ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 87%Hispanic: 3.1%Black: 3.8%Asian: 1.5%Other: 3.5%Race
White87.0%
Hispanic3.1%
Black3.8%
Asian1.5%
Other3.5%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
4%
5–17
13%
18–24
26%
25–44
22%
45–64
21%
65+
6%

Key Indicators

Median Age31.4 yrs
Avg HH Size2.27
Below Poverty20.6% ▲ 106% above avg
College Grads42.5% ▲ 10% above avg
Unemployment5.0% ≈ Avg
No HS Diploma44 (0.5%)
HS Graduate2,882 (30.1%)
Some College1,527 (15.9%)
Associates1,057 (11%)
Bachelors1,151 (12%)
Graduate Degree2,920 (30.5%)

Education

No HS: 0.5%HS Grad: 30.1%Some College: 15.9%Associates: 11%Bachelors: 12%Graduate: 30.5%Edu
No HS0.5%
HS Grad30.1%
Some College15.9%
Associates11.0%
Bachelors12.0%
Graduate30.5%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 62.9%Renter: 37.2%Tenure
Owner62.9%
Renter37.2%

Home Value Distribution

Under $50k
7%
$50k–$100k
13%
$100k–$150k
17%
$150k–$200k
21%
$200k–$300k
25%
$300k–$500k
13%
Over $500k
3%

Financials

Median HH Income$54,803 ▼ 28% below avg
Median Home Value$179,600 ▼ 36% below avg
Home/Income Ratio3.3x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$877/mo
Total Housing Units7,997
Vacant Units1,020

Income Distribution

Under $25k
23%
$25k–$50k
21%
$50k–$75k
18%
$75k–$100k
13%
$100k–$150k
16%
$150k–$200k
4%
Over $200k
5%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
83%
Public Transit
1%
Walked
9%
Work From Home
7%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
54%
15–30 min
27%
30–45 min
7%
Over 45 min
12%
Housing Stock

Year Built

Before 1940
3%
1940s–1950s
11%
1960s–1970s
17%
1980s–1990s
13%
2000+
56%
About Big Rapids, MI

Big Rapids is a city in Michigan, located in Mecosta County. The city spans 1 ZIP code and is home to approximately 18,063 residents. It is a relatively young city, with a median age of 31.4 years.

Economically, Big Rapids is a working-class community. The median household income of $54,803 is below the national average. Approximately 20.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The unemployment rate is 5.0%, near the national average.

The real estate market in Big Rapids is an affordable housing market. Median home values stand at $179,600, which is below the national average. Renters typically pay around $877 per month. Homeownership is high at 62.9%, typical of suburban and family-oriented communities.

The population of Big Rapids is well-educated. 42.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — near the national average. The community is primarily White (86.95%).

Big Rapids, MI offers residents a cost-conscious lifestyle within Michigan.

ZIP Codes in Big Rapids
ZIPPopulationMedian IncomeMedian HomeMedian RentUnemp.CollegeOwner Occ.
49307 18,063 $54,803 $179,600 $877 5.0% 42.5% 62.9%