Mecosta County, MI

County

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2024 Population

41,242

US Senator

Gary Peters

Democratic Party

US Senator

Elissa Slotkin

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

1.48% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

19.9%

3.62% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$60,951

5.5% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$178,900

5.3% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

17,918

4.63% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Mecosta County, 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.

98.9% of the residents in Mecosta County, MI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Mecosta County, MI are Ferris State University (3,050 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Mecosta County, MI was $178,900, and the homeownership rate was 76.9%.

Most people in Mecosta County, MI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Mecosta County, MI was 2 cars per household.

Mecosta County, MI borders Clare County, MI, Isabella County, MI, Lake County, MI, Montcalm County, MI, Newaygo County, MI, and Osceola County, MI.

United States Michigan Big Rapids, MI

Population & Diversity

Mecosta County, MI is home to a population of 41.2k people, from which 98.9% are citizens. As of 2024, 2.03% of Mecosta County, MI residents were born outside of the country (837 people).

In 2024, there were 30.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (37k people) in Mecosta County, MI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.23k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 882 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.9%

2024 Citizenship

99.4%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.9% of Mecosta County, MI residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Mecosta County, MI was 99.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Mecosta County, MI

White (Non-Hispanic)
37k ± 149
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
1.23k ± 172
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
882 ± 129

2.95%

Hispanic Population

1.22k people

2.95% of the people in Mecosta County, MI are hispanic (1.22k people).

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

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Michigan.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
80,580 ± 6,941 people
India
77,204 ± 6,795 people
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.

Foreign-Born Population

2.03%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

837 people

1.68%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

676 people

As of 2024, 2.03% of Mecosta County, MI residents (837 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 Mecosta County, MI was 1.68%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
856 ± 135
Gulf War (2001-)
621 ± 190
Gulf War (1990s)
243 ± 71

Mecosta County, MI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.38 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Mecosta County, MI.

Economy

The economy of Mecosta County, MI employs 17.9k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Mecosta County, MI were Manufacturing (2,689 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,537 people), and Educational Services (2,243 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($70,673), Wholesale Trade ($68,750), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($58,438).

Employment

Occupations

17.9k

2024 Value

± 773

4.63%

1 Year growth

± 5.93%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Mecosta County, MI grew at a rate of 4.63%, from 17.1k employees to 17.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Mecosta County, MI, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,853 people), Production Occupations (1,806 people), and Management Occupations (1,764 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Mecosta County, MI.

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.

Industries

Employment by Industries

17.9k

2024 Value

± 773

4.63%

1 Year growth

± 5.93%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Mecosta County, MI grew at a rate of 4.63%, from 17.1k employees to 17.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Mecosta County, MI, are Manufacturing (2,689 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,537 people), and Educational Services (2,243 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Mecosta County, MI, though some of these residents may live in Mecosta County, MI and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$41,755

Median earning men ± $1,757

$31,106

Median earning women ± $2,378

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($77,634), Public Administration ($61,484), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($59,740).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($65,917), Public Administration ($45,795), and Construction ($43,750).

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.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

60
Other Services (except Public Administration)
54
Retail Trade
50
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$117k
Manufacturing
$72.5k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$63.4k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Mecosta County, MI. Showing the available data for Michigan.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49.7%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (48.3%)
Democratic Party
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.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Michigan

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Michigan.

Gary Peters

Senator from Michigan

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Elissa Slotkin

Senator from Michigan

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.

Education

In 2023, universities in Mecosta County, MI awarded 3,050 degrees. The student population of Mecosta County, MI in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 4,582 male students and 5,336 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Mecosta County, MI are White (2,360 and 78.6%), Black or African American (210 and 6.99%), Hispanic or Latino (189 and 6.29%), and Two or More Races (111 and 3.7%).

The largest universities in Mecosta County, MI by number of degrees awarded are Ferris State University (3,050 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Mecosta County, MI are General Business Administration & Management (238 and 7.8%), Criminal Justice - Police Science (193 and 6.33%), and Pharmacy (123 and 4.03%).

The median tuition cost in Mecosta County, MI for a public four year colleges is $14,140 for in-state students and $14,140 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Mecosta County, MI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 80.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 20.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 9,918 (46.2% men and 53.8% 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.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 9,918 students enrolled in Mecosta County, MI, 46.2% men and 53.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 7,329 records, of which 53% were women and 47% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Criminal Justice - Police Science
135 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
97 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
150 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Mecosta County, MI was Criminal Justice - Police Science with 135 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Ferris State University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

3,050 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Ferris State University with 3,050 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 1,381 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Mecosta County, MI, which is 0.827 times less than the 1,669 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 2,360 degrees mean that there were 11.2 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 210 degrees awarded.

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.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($14,140) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($106) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($836) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Housing & Living

The median property value in Mecosta County, MI was $178,900 in 2024, which is 0.538 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $169,900 to $178,900, a 5.3% increase. The homeownership rate in Mecosta County, MI is 76.9%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Mecosta County, MI have an average commute time of 23.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Mecosta County, MI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 15.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Mecosta County, MI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 5.35%.

Housing

Property

$178,900

Median Property Value 2024

±$7,731

$12,851

Median Property Taxes

±$583

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 Mecosta County, MI the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

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

Rent vs Own

76.9%

Homeownership

2024

63.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 76.9% of the housing units in Mecosta County, MI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 75.9%.

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

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$60,951

Median Household Income

± $2,088

16.7k

Number of Households

± 693

In 2024, the median household income of the 16.7k households in Mecosta County, MI grew to $60,951 from the previous year's value of $57,774.

The following chart displays the households in Mecosta County, 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.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Mecosta County, 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (76.2%)
Worked At Home (8.67%)
Carpooled (8.58%)

In 2024, 76.2% of workers in Mecosta County, MI drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (8.67%) and those who carpooled to work (8.58%).

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.

Commute Time

23.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Mecosta County, MI have a shorter commute time (23.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.15% of the workforce in Mecosta County, MI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 15.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Mecosta County, MI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 5.35%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

19.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Mecosta County, MI (7.75k out of 39k 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 Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Mecosta County, MI is White, followed by Two Or More and Black.

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.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 24.1% of the children was living in poverty in Mecosta County, MI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 4.1%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 587 in Mecosta County, MI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 62.5 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

92.2% of the population of Mecosta County, MI has health coverage, with 40% on employee plans, 19.8% on Medicaid, 15.4% on Medicare, 15.8% on non-group plans, and 1.19% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Mecosta County, MI see 2,107 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,107 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2262 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 534 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.2% were men and 49.8% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,107 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Mecosta County, MI

Primary care physicians in Mecosta County, MI see an average of 2,107 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,107 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Mecosta County, MI in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.5% under 18 years, 23.4% between 18 and 34 years, 34.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 20.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.2% were men and 49.8% were women.

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

Uninsured People

7.83%

Uninsured

40%

Employer Coverage

19.8%

Medicaid

15.4%

Medicare

15.8%

Non-Group

1.19%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Mecosta County, MI grew by 0.889% from 7.76% to 7.83%.

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

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 56.9 in Mecosta County, MI.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Mecosta County, MI.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 33.4% in Mecosta County, MI.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Mecosta County, MI.