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Big Rapids, MI
City in Mecosta County, Michigan.
Population
8,477
Land area
4.4sq mi
People per sq mi
1,907
ZIP codes
0
Big Rapids and its ZIP codes
Big Rapids at a glance
- Big Rapids is about 11 times as dense as Michigan as a whole.
- It is the 118th most populous of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
- Households here earn a median of $43,858 a year, 40% less than the Michigan figure of $72,875.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $156,400 (32% below Michigan) and median rent is $929 a month.
Local data for Big Rapids, MI
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Big Rapids, MI, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$43,858
Poverty rate
34.1%
Median home value
$156,400
Median rent
$929/mo
Homeownership
41.5%
Bachelor's or higher
26.9%
Median age
22.9
Average commute
14.9 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (1,670), Irish Americans (734), Polish Americans (516).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Mecosta County. PPP loans are for Big Rapids.
Unemployment rate
5.7%
Aug 2026, -0.9 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$45,793
12,262 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$46,058
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$347M
FY 2026, $8,748 per person
How people get to work
Big Rapids, MI, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone67.7%
- Carpooled7.4%
- Public transit0.5%
- Walked12.8%
- Bicycle0.9%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.8%
- Worked from home9.0%
Average one-way commute: 14.9 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Big Rapids, MI, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: strong wind
Storm events since 1996
184
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
53
0.3% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
81° / 13°F
37.9 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone2 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Big Rapids, MI, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
34.2%
U.S. 33.3% +0.9 pts
Diabetes
8.4%
U.S. 12.1% -3.7 pts
Smoking
14.7%
U.S. 12.8% +1.9 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
7.5%
U.S. 11.1% -3.6 pts
Cities near Big Rapids
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| ParisCensus-designated place | 5.9 mi | 0.9 |
| StanwoodVillage | 8.3 mi | 0.2 |
| HerseyVillage | 11 mi | 1.1 |
| Canadian LakesCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 10.3 |
| Reed CityCity | 12 mi | 2.1 |
| MecostaVillage | 13 mi | 1.1 |
| MorleyVillage | 14 mi | 0.9 |
| BarrytonVillage | 17 mi | 1 |
| EvartCity | 17 mi | 2.5 |
| White CloudCity | 18 mi | 1.9 |
| LakeviewVillage | 20 mi | 1.5 |
| Howard CityVillage | 21 mi | 2.4 |
| BaldwinVillage | 23 mi | 1.3 |
| Le RoyVillage | 23 mi | 1 |
| Lake IsabellaVillage | 24 mi | 3.5 |
| WeidmanCensus-designated place | 25 mi | 5.7 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Big Rapids, MI in?
- Big Rapids is in Mecosta County, Michigan.
- What is the population of Big Rapids, MI?
- About 8,477 people live in Big Rapids, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Big Rapids?
- Nearby places include Paris (5.9 mi), Stanwood (8.3 mi), Hersey (11 mi), Canadian Lakes (12 mi), Reed City (12 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023