City · Michigan
Big Rapids, Michigan
Big Rapids, city, in Mecosta County, Michigan. Big Rapids had 8,623 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.3% from the Bureau's April 2020 estimates base of 8,350; the 2020 Census counted 7,727 on the place as it was defined then and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 8,477 (±26). GEOID 2608300.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,623
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,727 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,477 ±26
Median household income
$43,858
±$4,640 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$156,400
±$10,062 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$929
±$68 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
Where is Big Rapids and what county is it in?
Big Rapids is a city in Mecosta County, Michigan. It covers 4.4 square miles of land, 1,738 residents per square mile in 2020.
Big Rapids is in the Big Rapids, MI micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Big Rapids, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 8,623 people lived in Big Rapids on July 1, 2025, up 3.3% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). The Census Bureau's yearly estimates start from its own April 2020 base for Big Rapids, 8,350, which differs from the 2020 Census count of 7,727: the estimates follow the place as the estimates program defines it today (its present boundaries, and for a consolidated city-county the area the program assigns it), so the change since 2020 is measured from that base. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 8,477 (±26).
| Measure | Big Rapids | Mecosta County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,477 ±26 | 41,242 | −1,878 |
| Households | 3,133 ±201 | 16,708 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.06 ±0.13 | 2.33 | −0.33 |
| Housing units | 3,610 ±222 | 21,139 | no clear change |
Big Rapids's population since 2000
From 10,849 in 2000 to 8,623 in 2025: down 20.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Big Rapids as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Big Rapids?
The median resident of Big Rapids is 22.9 years old; 12.3% are under 18 and 9.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.4%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 5.9%.
| Measure | Big Rapids | Mecosta County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 22.9 ±0.6 | 40.0 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 12.3% ±2.3 pts | 19.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 9.7% ±1.6 pts | 20.4% | – |
| Male | 52.3% ±2.8 pts | 50.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.7% ±0.9 pts | 3.0% | −1.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.4% ±2.0 pts | 89.6% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.9% ±1.4 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±0.6 pts | 0.7% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.6% ±1.1 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.9% ±0.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.8% ±0.7 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.6% ±1.0 pts | 7.2% | – |
| With a disability | 12.1% ±2.5 pts | 16.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.2% ±2.3 pts | 7.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.3% ±2.9 pts | 91.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.9% ±5.0 pts | 22.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.9% ±2.6 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 60.3% ±4.6 pts | 82.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.7% ±1.9 pts | 1.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Big Rapids earn?
Half of Big Rapids's 3,133 households earn less than $43,858 a year (±$4,640), against $60,951 in Mecosta County and $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 the median was $32,277 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $11,581 after inflation. 34.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Big Rapids | Mecosta County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $43,858 ±$4,640 | $60,951 | +$11,581 |
| Mean household income | $59,842 ±$6,910 | $74,241 | – |
| Per capita income | $23,446 ±$2,497 | $29,951 | +$4,589 |
| People below the poverty line | 34.1% ±4.9 pts | 19.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 27.2% ±14.3 pts | 24.6% | −19.3 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 22.2% ±4.7 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.9% ±1.3 pts | 93.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.3% ±5.1 pts | 82.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Big Rapids?
Owners occupy 41.5% of Big Rapids's occupied homes and renters 58.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $156,400 by its owner (±$10,062). The median renter pays $929 a month including utilities, and 45.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Big Rapids | Mecosta County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $156,400 ±$10,062 | $178,900 | +$40,838 |
| Median gross rent | $929 ±$68 | $934 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.2% ±7.4 pts | 41.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,252 ±$135 | $1,293 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 41.5% ±5.5 pts | 76.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 58.5% ±5.5 pts | 23.1% | – |
| Housing units | 3,610 ±222 | 21,139 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.2% ±3.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.6% ±6.3 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 42.8% ±4.5 pts | 72.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.1% ±2.4 pts | 14.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3% ±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.8% ±4.1 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 30.2% ±5.5 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 15.0% ±4.1 pts | 7.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Big Rapids work and get to work?
67.7% of Big Rapids's workers drive alone and 9.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 14.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Big Rapids | Mecosta County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.2% ±3.8 pts | 54.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% ±1.6 pts | 4.0% | −4.0 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 67.7% ±4.6 pts | 76.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.4% ±2.7 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5% ±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 12.8% ±2.7 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.0% ±2.9 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 14.9 min ±2.1 | 23.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Big Rapids?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Big Rapids, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $41,845 (Tract 9605) to $47,616 (Tract 9606).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9606Mecosta County | 3,594 | $47,616 |
| Tract 9605Mecosta County | 3,677 | $41,845 |
| Tract 9813Mecosta County | 1,178 | not published |
| Tract 9607.01Mecosta County | 2,526 | $59,924 |
| Tract 9604Mecosta County | 4,500 | $74,348 |
| Tract 9607.02Mecosta County | 3,128 | $63,281 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Big Rapids) · Census block assignment files
How does Big Rapids compare with other places in Michigan?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Big Rapids is the 3,559th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 103rd-most populous of 533 in Michigan.
Big Rapids ranks 1,297th of 1,354 places in Michigan with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 103rd | 533 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 225th | 1,281 |
| Residents per square mile | 177th | 1,356 |
| Median household income | 1,297th | 1,354 |
| Per capita income | 1,307th | 1,355 |
| Median home value | 1,057th | 1,354 |
| Median gross rent | 689th | 1,212 |
| Poverty rate | 15th | 1,213 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 508th | 1,350 |
| Median age | 1,347th | 1,356 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,346th | 1,356 |
| Work from home | 668th | 1,062 |
| Travel time to work | 1,321st | 1,356 |
Big Rapids's figures with every place in Michigan (CSV)
Every place in Michigan, sortable · Compare Big Rapids with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Big Rapids?
6 of the 57 figures for Big Rapids on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Big Rapids are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Big Rapids.