Grand Rapids, MI

Census Place

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2024 Population
198,535
US Senator
Gary Peters
Democratic Party
US Senator
Elissa Slotkin
Democratic Party
2024 Median Age
32.3
0.623% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
16.9%
8.98% 1-year decrease
2024 Median Household Income
$69,108
5.47% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$244,500
8.43% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
105,983
1.75% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Grand Rapids, MI reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

92.8% of the residents in Grand Rapids, MI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Grand Rapids, MI are Grand Rapids Community College (1,839 degrees awarded in 2023), Calvin University (1,014 degrees), and Cornerstone University (448 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Grand Rapids, MI was $244,500, and the homeownership rate was 54%.

Most people in Grand Rapids, MI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19 minutes. The average car ownership in Grand Rapids, MI was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Downtown Grand Rapids
Photo by Chris Snyder
United StatesMichiganKent County, MIGrand Rapids-Wyoming, MIKent County (Southwest) PUMA, MIKent County (Central)--Grand Rapids City Area PUMA, MIKent County (Southeast) PUMA, MIKent County (North) PUMA, MI

Population & Diversity

Grand Rapids, MI is home to a population of 199k people, from which 92.8% are citizens. As of 2024, 10.9% of Grand Rapids, MI residents were born outside of the country (21.6k people).

In 2024, there were 3.28 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (114k people) in Grand Rapids, MI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 34.8k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 14.6k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

92.8%
2024 Citizenship
92.5%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 92.8% of Grand Rapids, MI residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Grand Rapids, MI was 92.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Grand Rapids, MI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Grand Rapids, MI
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    114k ± 2.3k
  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    34.8k ± 2.22k
  3. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
    14.6k ± 1.52k
16.3%
Hispanic Population
32.4k people

In 2024, there were 3.28 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (114k people) in Grand Rapids, MI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 34.8k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 14.6k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

16.3% of the people in Grand Rapids, MI are hispanic (32.4k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Grand Rapids, MI as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Michigan.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    80,580 ± 6,941 people
  2. India
    77,204 ± 6,795 people
  3. Iraq
    54,457 ± 5,714 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Michigan was Mexico, the natal country of 80,580 Michigan residents, followed by India with 77,204 and Iraq with 54,457.

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Foreign-Born Population

10.9%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
21.6k people
11.1%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
21.9k people

As of 2024, 10.9% of Grand Rapids, MI residents (21.6k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Grand Rapids, MI was 11.1%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Grand Rapids, MI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    1,977 ± 374
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    1,508 ± 327
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    979 ± 283

Grand Rapids, MI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.31 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Grand Rapids, MI.

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Economy

The economy of Grand Rapids, MI employs 106k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Grand Rapids, MI were Manufacturing (17,186 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (16,686 people), and Retail Trade (11,367 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($109,306), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($104,146), and Utilities ($75,882).

Employment

Occupations

106k
2024 Value
± 2,749
1.75%
1 Year growth
± 3.58%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Grand Rapids, MI grew at a rate of 1.75%, from 104k employees to 106k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Grand Rapids, MI, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (10,744 people), Management Occupations (10,120 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (9,537 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Grand Rapids, MI.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Michigan.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Michigan (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

106k
2024 Value
± 2,749
1.75%
1 Year growth
± 3.58%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Grand Rapids, MI grew at a rate of 1.75%, from 104k employees to 106k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Grand Rapids, MI, are Manufacturing (17,186 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (16,686 people), and Retail Trade (11,367 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Grand Rapids, MI, though some of these residents may live in Grand Rapids, MI and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$51,233
Median earning men ± $1,256
$40,205
Median earning women ± $1,077

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($74,475), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($71,938), and Wholesale Trade ($68,714).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($61,557), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($60,169), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($49,521).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Michigan.
Y-Axis
2.16%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.37M people employed in Michigan. This represents a 2.16% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 23.6%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Michigan.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Michigan went to Donald J. Trump with 49.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.3%), followed by Jill Stein (0.788%).

Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin are the senators currently representing the state of Michigan. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Michigan is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Grand Rapids, MI. Showing the available data for Michigan.
2024 Election Results
  1. Donald J. Trump (49.7%)
    Republican Party
  2. Kamala Harris (48.3%)
    Democratic Party
  3. Jill Stein (0.788%)
    Green Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Michigan went to Donald J. Trump with 49.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.3%), followed by Jill Stein (0.788%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Michigan for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Michigan

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Michigan.
Gary Peters
Senator from Michigan2
Assumed office on January 3, 2015
Elissa Slotkin
Senator from Michigan1
Assumed office on January 3, 2025

Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin are the senators currently representing Michigan.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Michigan over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Grand Rapids, MI awarded 3,659 degrees. The student population of Grand Rapids, MI in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 8,436 male students and 10,407 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Grand Rapids, MI are White (2,472 and 71%), Hispanic or Latino (344 and 9.87%), Black or African American (244 and 7%), and Unknown (188 and 5.4%).

The largest universities in Grand Rapids, MI by number of degrees awarded are Grand Rapids Community College (1,839 and 50.3%), Calvin University (1,014 and 27.7%), and Cornerstone University (448 and 12.2%).

The most popular majors in Grand Rapids, MI are Liberal Arts & Sciences (529 and 14.5%), General Studies (224 and 6.12%), and Registered Nursing (156 and 4.26%).

The median tuition cost in Grand Rapids, MI for private four year colleges is $37,720.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2023 in Grand Rapids, MI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 71.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 20.5%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 18,843 (44.8% men and 55.2% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 18,843 students enrolled in Grand Rapids, MI, 44.8% men and 55.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 11,825 records, of which 54.8% were women and 45.2% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Engineering
    83 degrees awarded
  2. General Psychology
    77 degrees awarded
  3. General Business Administration & Management
    93 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Grand Rapids, MI was General Engineering with 83 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Grand Rapids, MI according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Grand Rapids Community College
    1,839 degrees awarded
  2. Calvin University
    1,014 degrees awarded
  3. Cornerstone University
    448 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Grand Rapids Community College with 1,839 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 1,609 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Grand Rapids, MI, which is 0.785 times less than the 2,050 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,472 degrees mean that there were 7.19 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 344 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($37,720) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($800) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,012) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Grand Rapids, MI was $244,500 in 2024, which is 0.735 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $225,500 to $244,500, a 8.43% increase. The homeownership rate in Grand Rapids, MI is 54%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Grand Rapids, MI have an average commute time of 19 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Grand Rapids, MI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$244,500
Median Property Value 2024
±$3,433
$43,351
Median Property Taxes
±$1,554

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Grand Rapids, MI the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Grand Rapids, MI compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

54%
Homeownership
2024
66.8%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 54% of the housing units in Grand Rapids, MI were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 54.6%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Grand Rapids, MI compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$69,108
Median Household Income
± $1,869
80.2k
Number of Households
± 2,262

In 2024, the median household income of the 80.2k households in Grand Rapids, MI grew to $69,108 from the previous year's value of $65,526.

The following chart displays the households in Grand Rapids, MI distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Grand Rapids, MI is from Michigan.
0.462
2023 Wage GINI in Michigan
0.466
2022 Wage GINI in Michigan

In 2023, the income inequality in Michigan was 0.462 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.92% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Michigan was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Michigan in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Michigan across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (68.7%)
  2. Worked At Home (13.9%)
  3. Carpooled (8.1%)

In 2024, 68.7% of workers in Grand Rapids, MI drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (13.9%) and those who carpooled to work (8.1%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

19 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Grand Rapids, MI have a shorter commute time (19 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 0.99% of the workforce in Grand Rapids, MI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Grand Rapids, MI compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Grand Rapids, MI distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Grand Rapids, MI have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

16.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Grand Rapids, MI (32.5k out of 192k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Grand Rapids, MI is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Health

92.8% of the population of Grand Rapids, MI has health coverage, with 51.3% on employee plans, 21.2% on Medicaid, 9.89% on Medicare, 9.72% on non-group plans, and 0.677% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Michigan see 1,276 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,276 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1246 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 281 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.8% were men and 51.2% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.7% under 18 years, 32.7% between 18 and 34 years, 32.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 12.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.8% were men and 51.2% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

7.23%
Uninsured
51.3%
Employer Coverage
21.2%
Medicaid
9.89%
Medicare
9.72%
Non-Group
0.677%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Grand Rapids, MI declined by 6.11% from 7.7% to 7.23%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Grand Rapids, MI changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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