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Grand Rapids, MI


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Grand Rapids, Michigan

Introduction to Grand Rapids, Michigan

Incorporated as a village around 1838, Grand Rapids is the second largest city in Michigan with a population of about 200,000. There are roughly 1.3 million people within the greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area, making it the second largest metropolis in the state as well.

Located on the Grand River in western Michigan, Grand Rapids lies 30 miles east of Lake Michigan. Its founding father, Louis Campau, was an astute businessman who dealt in real estate after establishing a trading post with the Ottawa Indians in 1827. More than 2000 years ago, the mound building Hopewell Indian tribe inhabited the area. The city's most famous son is President Gerald R. Ford.

Grand Rapids experiences all four seasons. Summer and winter temperatures are moderated by Lake Michigan. However, the lake-effect contributes to an average annual snowfall of 64.4 inches. July average daily high and low temperatures are 82.3 and 60.5 degrees Fahrenheit. January average daily high and low temperatures are 29.3 and 15.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Three Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Grand Rapids - Universal Forest Products, Spartan Stores, and Steelcase, the latter carrying on a tradition of quality furniture making. Another notable company is Bissel, Inc. Also within the county is Alticor, the parent of Amway. Approximately a dozen colleges and universities are located in the area.

Arts and Leisure

Grand Rapids boasts a complete array of arts and culture. Since 1970, a three day extravaganza showcasing the arts, called Festival, takes place during the first complete weekend in June. There is an extraordinary amount of sculpture within the metropolis. Outdoor works of art associated with three world famous artists include:

  • La Grande Vitesse, an enormous red-orange stabile by Alexander Calder.
  • Ecliptic, a park by Maya Lin, including an oval amphitheater that becomes an ice skating rink in winter.
  • American Horse, a 24 ft tall bronze by Nina Akamu. This is a modern day interpretation of a concept of the same scale which Leonardo Da Vinci came very close to creating. It is located in the Fredrik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.

Other cultural attractions include:

  • The Grand Rapids Art Museum
  • The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts
  • The Fredrik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
  • Opera Grand Rapids
  • The Grand Rapids Symphony
  • The Grand Rapids Civic Theater
  • The Circle Theater
  • The Broadway Theater Guild
  • The Wealthy Street Theater

Some institutions for history and leisure are:

  • The Public Museum of Grand Rapids
  • The Van Andel Arena
  • DeVos Place
  • The Gerald R. Ford Museum
  • The John Ball Park Zoo

Professional sports teams in the area include:

  • The Griffins of the American Hockey League
  • The Rampage of the Arena Football League
  • The Flight of the International Basketball League
  • The West Michigan Whitecaps, a minor league baseball team playing in the Midwest League, and affiliated with the Detroit Tigers

High Points

Grand Rapids strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Michigan):

CategoryTrophy
Racial Diversity
(vs. State)		Top 1%trophyGrand Rapids Racial Diversity
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)		Top 4%trophyGrand Rapids Public Transportation Use
Short Commute Times
(vs. Peers)		Top 11%Grand Rapids Short Commute Times

Comparative Profile of Grand Rapids, MI

Comparing Grand Rapids to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Michigan (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Children Under 5 Years Old99
Racial Diversity710
Senior Citizens73
Male Share of the Population68
Well-Paid Single Men67
Well-Paid Single Women56
Female Share of the Population53
Age of the Population21

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Average Household Size68
Portion of People Married42

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
People in Middle Class or Better63
People Above Poverty52
College Educated Adults58
Median Family Income55

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Short Commute Times98
Walking and Biking to Work78
Working at Home66
Public Transportation Use410

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Affordability of Rents83
Affordability of Property Taxes77
People Living Alone66
Seasonal and Vacation Housing43
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals38
Housing Recently Built23

Detailed pages on related topics: Grand Rapids colleges • Grand Rapids travel • Grand Rapids mortgage and property.

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All States > Michigan > Grand Rapids

Additional Details

Grand Rapids CareersGrand Rapids Careers
Grand Rapids career and employment information.
Grand Rapids CollegesGrand Rapids Colleges
Grand Rapids colleges and trade schools.
Grand Rapids Hotels & TravelGrand Rapids Hotels & Travel
Grand Rapids hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Grand Rapids MortgageGrand Rapids Mortgage
Grand Rapids property, mortgage, and real estate.

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Historic Grand Rapids

photo

Court House between 1900 and 1910

Select a photo to view (Source):

Court House between 1900 and 1910

Michigan Soldiers' Home between 1900 and 1910

Central High School between 1905 and 1920

Additional Resources


Large City Map

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