County · Michigan
Mecosta County, Michigan
Mecosta County, Michigan. Mecosta County had 42,320 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.9% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). It holds 23 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs, 16 towns and townships and 2 census-designated) and 13 census tracts. GEOID 26107.
Mecosta County is the county of the Big Rapids, MI micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
42,320
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 39,714 · ACS 2020-2024: 41,242
Median household income
$60,951
±$2,088 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$178,900
±$7,731 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$934
±$42 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
How many people live in Mecosta County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 39,714 residents in Mecosta County. The Census Bureau estimates 42,320 for July 1, 2025, up 4.9% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 41,242 over 555 square miles of land.
| Measure | Mecosta County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 41,242 | 10,077,761 | −2,009 |
| Households | 16,708±368 | 4,076,369 | +900 |
| Average household size | 2.33±0.05 | 2.42 | −0.22 |
| Housing units | 21,139±59 | 4,622,236 | −400 |
Mecosta County's population since 2000
From 40,553 in 2000 to 42,320 in 2025: up 4.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Mecosta County?
Mecosta County holds 23 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 16 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Big Rapids with 8,623 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Big Rapids | 7,727 | $43,858 |
|---|---|---|
| Morton Township | 4,426 | $72,877 |
| Big Rapids Charter Township | 3,917 | $64,083 |
| Green Charter Township | 3,219 | $82,955 |
| Canadian Lakes | 3,202 | $78,833 |
| Mecosta Township | 2,744 | $61,250 |
| Aetna Township, Mecosta County | 2,241 | $62,813 |
| Colfax Township, Mecosta County | 1,962 | $87,935 |
| Deerfield Township, Mecosta County | 1,785 | $57,898 |
| Austin Township, Mecosta County | 1,715 | $64,375 |
| Fork Township | 1,627 | $56,161 |
| Martiny Township | 1,594 | $51,875 |
| Wheatland Township, Mecosta County | 1,396 | $55,000 |
| Sheridan Township, Mecosta County | 1,314 | $49,800 |
| Chippewa Township, Mecosta County | 1,227 | $59,107 |
| Millbrook Township | 1,064 | $70,655 |
| Hinton Township | 1,054 | $60,368 |
| Grant Township, Mecosta County | 702 | $66,750 |
| Morley | 517 | $41,750 |
| Barryton | 405 | $52,875 |
| Mecosta | 386 | $73,516 |
| ParisGEOID 2662400 | 271 | $68,281 |
| StanwoodGEOID 2676240 | 194 | $54,632 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Mecosta County?
The median resident of Mecosta County is 40.0 years old; 19.1% are under 18 and 20.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 89.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.9%. 2.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Mecosta County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.0±0.5 | 40.2 | +3.1 |
| Under 18 years | 19.1% | 21.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.4%±0.1 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.0% | 5.9% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 89.6%±0.4 pts | 72.4% | −1.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.1%±0.3 pts | 13.1% | −0.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 3.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9%±0.6 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.0%±0.4 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.1%±1.2 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.2%±0.8 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 16.0%±0.9 pts | 14.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.8%±1.3 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.4%±1.1 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.5%±1.5 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.7%±0.9 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.9%±0.6 pts | 1.4% | – |
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 Mecosta County earn?
Half of Mecosta County's 16,708 households earn less than $60,951 a year (±$2,088), against $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 the median was $55,403 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,548 after inflation. 19.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Mecosta County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,951±$2,088 | $72,875 | +$5,548 |
| Mean household income | $74,241±$2,194 | $98,700 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,951±$918 | $40,735 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.9%±1.9 pts | 13.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.6%±5.2 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.4%±1.6 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.0%±1.8 pts | 90.5% | – |
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 Mecosta County?
Owners occupy 76.9% of Mecosta County's occupied homes and renters 23.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $178,900 by its owner (±$7,731). The median renter pays $934 a month including utilities, and 41.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Mecosta County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $178,900±$7,731 | $231,600 | +$29,494 |
| Median gross rent | $934±$42 | $1,129 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.7%±5.0 pts | 41.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,293±$50 | $1,569 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.9%±1.9 pts | 73.2% | +3.6 pts |
| Housing units | 21,139±59 | 4,622,236 | −400 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.5%±3.4 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.8%±1.5 pts | 72.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 14.5%±1.2 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.8%±1.4 pts | 14.6% | – |
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 Mecosta County building?
Builders took permits for 99 new housing units across Mecosta County in 2025 (99 single-family), 2.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Mecosta County get to work?
76.2% of Mecosta County's workers drive alone and 8.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.0%.
| Measure | Mecosta County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.4%±1.5 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0%±0.7 pts | 5.7% | −2.8 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.2%±1.9 pts | 74.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.6%±1.3 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 4.4%±0.9 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.7%±1.3 pts | 13.5% | +3.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.7 min±1.0 | 24.2 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 are Mecosta County's census tracts?
Mecosta County is divided into 13 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $41,845 (Tract 9605) to $74,348 (Tract 9604).
| Tract 960126107960100 | 2,475±210 | $59,712 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960226107960200 | 2,891±233 | $54,559 |
| Tract 960326107960300 | 2,904±300 | $73,875 |
| Tract 960426107960400 | 4,500±294 | $74,348 |
| Tract 960526107960500 | 3,677±341 | $41,845 |
| Tract 960626107960600 | 3,594±305 | $47,616 |
| Tract 9607.0126107960701 | 2,526±305 | $59,924 |
| Tract 9607.0226107960702 | 3,128±284 | $63,281 |
| Tract 960826107960800 | 5,136±488 | $58,169 |
| Tract 960926107960900 | 3,127±297 | $53,049 |
| Tract 9610.0126107961001 | 3,152±322 | $74,320 |
| Tract 9610.0226107961002 | 2,954±368 | $68,500 |
| Tract 981326107981300 | 1,178±61 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Mecosta County compare with Michigan's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 40th of 83 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 7th of 83 |
| Residents per square mile | 38th of 83 |
| Median household income | 54th of 83 |
| Median home value | 40th of 83 |
| Median gross rent | 33rd of 83 |
| Poverty rate | 5th of 83 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 41st of 83 |
| Median age | 70th of 83 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Mecosta County 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' school search.