Big Rapids city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Big Rapids city, Michigan has a total population of 7,847, the 128th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $40,197, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Big Rapids city Quick Facts
How Big Rapids city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Big Rapids city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Cities Similar to Big Rapids city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albion city | 7,608 | $40,040 | $91,100 | 17.6% | 27.2% |
| Ludington city | 7,664 | $44,471 | $192,800 | 27.1% | 23.3% |
| Hillsdale city | 8,013 | $47,817 | $131,300 | 25.7% | 21.2% |
| Three Rivers city | 7,936 | $48,852 | $120,200 | 15.2% | 15.0% |
| Houghton city | 8,341 | $35,417 | $233,700 | 65.6% | 34.9% |
Population Overview
Big Rapids city is a small city located in Michigan, within Mecosta County. The total population is 7,847. It ranks as the 128th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Big Rapids city is 23.0 years. This is 43% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. Only 12.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Big Rapids city is $40,197. This is 44% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 49% lower. The poverty rate stands at 35.4%. This is 171% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 6% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $134,200. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $217,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 40.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 45% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Big Rapids city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.1%. The Black or African American population (6.1%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
28.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Big Rapids city, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Michigan city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Big Rapids city, Michigan?
Big Rapids city, Michigan has a population of 7,847 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Big Rapids city, MI?
The median household income in Big Rapids city is $40,197, which is 49% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Big Rapids city, MI?
The poverty rate in Big Rapids city is 35.4%. This means approximately 2,058 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Big Rapids city, Michigan?
Big Rapids city's population is 84.4% White, 6.1% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Big Rapids city, MI?
The median home value in Big Rapids city is $134,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Big Rapids city, Michigan?
28.3% of adults (25+) in Big Rapids city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.