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Big Rapids, MI

Full City Profile · Michigan · Mecosta County County

3.0 /5.0
B Good
7,847 Population 1,763/sq mi density
$40,197 Median Income $20,904 per capita
$134,200 Home Value $209,292 Zillow
$815 Median Rent 30.1% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
250 Violent Crime/100K 1,299 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$40,197 median income, 3.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$134,200 home value, $815/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
250 violent crimes/100K
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.3% bachelor's degree or higher

Big Rapids, MI

At a Glance

Median Income
$40,197
47% below
$20,904 per capita
Home Value
$134,200
52% below
Zillow: $209,292
Median Rent
$815/mo
30% below
30.1% of income on rent
Violent Crime
250/100K
34% below
1,299/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
28.3%
16% below
92.8% high school+
Unemployment
3.5%
3% below
18.5% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
41.1%
28% above
20.3% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
45°F
260 sunny days/yr

How Big Rapids Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Big Rapids's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
53%
Home Value
48%
Rent
70%
Poverty
149%
Bachelor's
84%
Unemployment
97%
Crime
66%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Big Rapids a Good Place to Live?

B
3.0 / 5.0 — Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Big Rapids residents earn a median household income of $40,197 , which is 47% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $20,904. The unemployment rate stands at 3.5% (3% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 18.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 696 business establishments, including 78 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Big Rapids is $134,200 , 52% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $209,292. Median rent is $815/month, with 30.1% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 96.2 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1970.

Safety & Crime

Big Rapids reports 250 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 34% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 1,299/100K. The murder rate is 0.0/100K.

Education

28.3% of adults in Big Rapids hold a bachelor's degree or higher (16% below the national average). 92.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.0/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Big Rapids has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Data Overview

People

Population7,847
Median Age23.0 yrs
Density1,763/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Foreign Born13.6%
Veterans3.5%

Economy

C+
Median Income$40,197
Per Capita$20,904
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty18.5%
County GDP$1,626M
Avg Weekly Wage$869

Housing

A+
Home Value$134,200
Rent$815
Ownership40.3%
Zillow$209,292
Housing Units3,262
Rent Burden30.1%

Crime

F
Violent250/100K
Property1,299/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault193/100K
Burglary173/100K

Health

Obesity41.1%
Diabetes12.3%
Smoking20.3%
Heart Disease7.3%
Premature Death8,230/100K

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
Sunny Days260/yr
Rain37.9 in/yr
AQI38 (Good)
Elevation924 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.3%
High School+92.8%
Graduate+13.0%
School Score5.0/10

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 34%
Commute15 min
Broadband81.1%
Internet Speed163 Mbps
EV Stations4
Libraries6

Did You Know?

The median home in Big Rapids was built in 1970.
The nearest airport is Gerald R Ford International (57 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.420 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
14.2% of the population has a disability.
13.6% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 163 Mbps.
The county recorded 10 fatal vehicle crashes.