Overview

Introduction to Big Rapids, Michigan

Big Rapids, Michigan, in Mecosta county, is 51 miles N of Grand Rapids, Michigan and 130 miles E of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Big Rapids History

Big Rapids is a city located within Big Rapids Township. The early history of the region is associated with the logging industry that flourished due to the presence of the rivers. The community got its name from the many river rapids in the region. The city experienced rapid growth and development in the post Civil War years. It was officially incorporated as a city in 1869.

Big Rapids and nearby Attractions

  • Settlers House
  • Great Lakes Naval Memorial & Museum
  • Tri-Cities Historical Museum
  • Mitchell Creek
  • Grand Haven State Park

Things To Do In Big Rapids

The city of Big Rapids is near the famous Settlers House, which was at one point the dwelling of the Irish Canadian immigrant Thomas Morrissey and his family. The house is now decorated with some very interesting 19th century artifacts. The Muskegon County Museum and the Great Lakes Naval Memorial & Museum are also close to this city. Mitchell Creek, a beautiful water body in the city of Big Rapids, is very popular among tourists and townspeople. One can also visit the P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, the Pioneer County Park or the Grand Haven State Park to spend a day with family and friends.

Big Rapids Transportation

Air transportation is available from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

Big Rapids Higher Education

Institutes offering higher educational opportunities to residents of Big Rapids include the Ferris State University, Central Michigan University, and Grand Rapids Community College.

Demographics

People

Total Population10,392
Male Share of the Population51.3%
Female Share of the Population48.7%
Senior Citizens7.5%
Employed Population 16+4,511
Age of the Population22

Families

% of people married17.4%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher20.5%
Median Earnings25+$26,635
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$10,964
Median Earnings With High School Degree$22,049

Wealth

Median Family Income$46,710
% Above Poverty Level59.7%
% Below Poverty Level40.3%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time13 minutes
% Working from Home7.5%
% Walking and Biking to Work15.2%
% Using Public Transportation0.8%

Housing

People Living Alone41.2%
Median Gross Rent$585
Median House Value$92,100

Ancestry

German18.7%
Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)18.2%
Irish13.1%
Polish4.9%
English4.6%
Italian3.3%
Dutch3.3%
French Except Basque2.3%
Arab1.9%
Norwegian1.7%
Scottish1.6%
Swedish1.5%
Canadian0.9%
Belgian0.7%
Hungarian0.5%
Finnish0.5%
Egyptian0.4%
Croatian0.3%
Ukrainian0.3%
Danishn0.3%
Lithuanian0.3%
African0.3%
Russian0.2%
Austrian0.2%
Romanian0.2%
Welsh0.1%
Czech0.1%
Swiss0.1%
Serbian0.1%
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Big Rapids Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyMecosta County
Standard Zip Codes49307
Phone Area Codes231
Time Zone
Approximate Latitude43.7
Approximate Longitude-85.48

Big Rapids Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationBIG RAPIDS WATERWORKS
Distance0.1 miles
Jan Temp12 to 29 F
Apr Temp32 to 56 F
Jul Temp57 to 82 F
Oct Temp36 to 59 F
Annual Precip34.5 inches
StationEVART
Distance18.6 miles
Jan Temp8 to 27 F
Apr Temp31 to 54 F
Jul Temp54 to 81 F
Oct Temp34 to 58 F
Annual Precip32.6 inches
StationBALDWIN
Distance23 miles
Jan Temp11 to 29 F
Apr Temp30 to 56 F
Jul Temp53 to 82 F
Oct Temp35 to 59 F
Annual Precip34.7 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Barryton445$43,125
Hersey309$51,406
Mecosta478$51,250
Morley489$43,462
Reed City2,625$36,042
Stanwood237$40,500

Big Rapids Public Libraries

Big Rapids Community Library
426 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE
Big Rapids, Michigan
(231) 796-5234

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More Information for Librarians

Big Rapids Hospitals

Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital
(Government - Local)
605 Oak Street

Big Rapids Public Schools

Big Rapids High School
21175 15 Mile Rd
ZIP: 49307
(231) 796-7651
High
Total Enrollment 630
Big Rapids Middle School
500 North Warren Ave
ZIP: 49307
(231) 796-9965
Middle
Total Enrollment 562
Big Rapids Virtual School
14980 215th Ave
ZIP: 49307
(231) 796-3489
High
Total Enrollment 87
Brookside Elementary School
210 Escott St
ZIP: 49307
(231) 796-8323
Primary
Total Enrollment 319
Crossroads Charter Academy (7-12)
215 Spruce St W
ZIP: 49307
(231) 796-9041
High
Total Enrollment 307
Crossroads Charter Academy (pk-6)
215 North State St
ZIP: 49307
(231) 796-6589
Primary
Total Enrollment 330
Mecosta-osceola Education Center
15700 190th Ave
ZIP: 49307
(231) 796-3543
Other
Total Enrollment 123
Riverview Elementary School
509 Willow Ave
ZIP: 49307
(231) 796-2550
Primary
Total Enrollment 335

Big Rapids Private Schools

St Mary School
927 Marion Ave
ZIP: 49307
Elementary
Total Enrollment 92
St Peters Lutheran School
408 W Bellevue St
ZIP: 49307
Elementary
Total Enrollment 91
Sources :
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