City · Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, city, in Kent County, Michigan. Grand Rapids had 201,183 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 198,917 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 198,535 (±81). GEOID 2634000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
201,183
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 198,917 · ACS 2020-2024: 198,535 ±81
Median household income
$69,108
±$1,869 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$244,500
±$3,433 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$1,266
±$35 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
Where is Grand Rapids and what county is it in?
Grand Rapids is a city in Kent County, Michigan. It covers 44.8 square miles of land, 4,442 residents per square mile in 2020.
Grand Rapids is in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (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 Grand Rapids, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 201,183 people lived in Grand Rapids on July 1, 2025, up 1.2% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 198,917 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 198,535 (±81).
| Measure | Grand Rapids | Kent County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 198,535 ±81 | 663,150 | +134 |
| Households | 80,222 ±1,115 | 256,648 | +4,800 |
| Average household size | 2.38 ±0.03 | 2.54 | −0.15 |
| Housing units | 84,894 ±1,060 | 269,136 | +3,246 |
Grand Rapids's population since 2000
From 197,800 in 2000 to 201,183 in 2025: up 1.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Grand 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 Grand Rapids?
The median resident of Grand Rapids is 32.3 years old; 21.0% are under 18 and 12.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 57.5%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 17.5%. 11.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Grand Rapids | Kent County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.3 ±0.3 | 35.9 | +0.9 |
| Under 18 years | 21.0% ±0.7 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.9% ±0.4 pts | 14.9% | – |
| Male | 49.0% ±0.6 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 16.3% ±0.9 pts | 11.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 57.5% ±1.2 pts | 70.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 17.5% ±1.1 pts | 9.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.8% ±0.4 pts | 3.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.0% ±0.6 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.1% ±0.8 pts | 8.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 16.4% ±1.1 pts | 13.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.0% ±0.4 pts | 4.9% | – |
| With a disability | 11.9% ±0.6 pts | 11.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.2% ±0.7 pts | 4.8% | −1.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.5% ±0.9 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 41.6% ±1.2 pts | 40.8% | +5.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.3% ±0.8 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 82.3% ±1.2 pts | 87.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1% ±0.5 pts | 1.6% | – |
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 Grand Rapids earn?
Half of Grand Rapids's 80,222 households earn less than $69,108 a year (±$1,869), against $82,631 in Kent County and $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 the median was $61,661 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,447 after inflation. 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Grand Rapids | Kent County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $69,108 ±$1,869 | $82,631 | +$7,447 |
| Mean household income | $86,109 ±$1,749 | $109,612 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,921 ±$708 | $42,992 | +$3,775 |
| People below the poverty line | 16.9% ±1.2 pts | 10.1% | −3.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.0% ±3.0 pts | 13.0% | −5.9 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.5% ±1.2 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.9% ±0.8 pts | 95.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.4% ±1.0 pts | 92.2% | – |
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 Grand Rapids?
Owners occupy 54.0% of Grand Rapids's occupied homes and renters 46.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $244,500 by its owner (±$3,433). The median renter pays $1,266 a month including utilities, and 41.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Grand Rapids | Kent County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $244,500 ±$3,433 | $289,900 | +$68,019 |
| Median gross rent | $1,266 ±$35 | $1,243 | +$128 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.6% ±2.7 pts | 39.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,393 ±$22 | $1,603 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 54.0% ±1.3 pts | 70.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 46.0% ±1.3 pts | 29.7% | – |
| Housing units | 84,894 ±1,060 | 269,136 | +3,246 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6% ±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.4% ±1.0 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 56.2% ±1.3 pts | 64.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.4% ±0.2 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6% ±0.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.3% ±0.7 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 37.5% ±1.4 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 10.9% ±1.1 pts | 6.2% | – |
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 many new homes is Grand Rapids building?
Builders took permits for 801 new housing units in Grand Rapids in 2025 (117 in single-family houses), 4.0 per 1,000 residents against 2.3 across Michigan.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Grand Rapids work and get to work?
68.7% of Grand Rapids's workers drive alone and 13.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.2%.
| Measure | Grand Rapids | Kent County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.3% ±0.9 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% ±0.6 pts | 4.2% | −1.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 68.7% ±1.2 pts | 73.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.1% ±0.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 3.0% ±0.5 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Walked | 4.2% ±0.5 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.9% ±0.8 pts | 14.3% | +10.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.0 min ±0.4 | 21.0 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 Grand Rapids?
51 census tracts lie mostly in Grand Rapids, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $29,450 (Tract 36) to $116,688 (Tract 33).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 44Kent County | 7,629 | $83,102 |
| Tract 46Kent County | 6,101 | $44,195 |
| Tract 19Kent County | 5,959 | $79,594 |
| Tract 16Kent County | 5,577 | $65,625 |
| Tract 22Kent County | 5,460 | $66,485 |
| Tract 35Kent County | 5,246 | $54,375 |
| Tract 32Kent County | 5,236 | $44,191 |
| Tract 34Kent County | 5,138 | $102,054 |
| Tract 41Kent County | 5,010 | $95,179 |
| Tract 38Kent County | 4,858 | $53,750 |
| Tract 3Kent County | 5,580 | $86,748 |
| Tract 25Kent County | 4,688 | $80,000 |
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 Grand Rapids) · Census block assignment files
How does Grand Rapids compare with other places in Michigan?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Grand Rapids is the 127th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 2nd-most populous of 533 in Michigan.
Grand Rapids ranks 752nd 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 | 2nd | 533 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 511th | 1,281 |
| Residents per square mile | 27th | 1,356 |
| Median household income | 752nd | 1,354 |
| Per capita income | 730th | 1,355 |
| Median home value | 425th | 1,354 |
| Median gross rent | 205th | 1,212 |
| Poverty rate | 246th | 1,213 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 182nd | 1,350 |
| Median age | 1,303rd | 1,356 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,304th | 1,356 |
| Work from home | 286th | 1,062 |
| Travel time to work | 1,185th | 1,356 |
Grand Rapids's figures with every place in Michigan (CSV)
Every place in Michigan, sortable · Compare Grand 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 Grand Rapids?
2 of the 57 figures for Grand 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 Grand 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 Grand Rapids.