Grand Rapids city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Grand Rapids city, Michigan has a total population of 197,768, the 2nd largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $65,526, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Grand Rapids city is the 2nd largest city in Michigan with a population of 197,768.
Grand Rapids city Quick Facts
How Grand 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Grand Rapids city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Kent County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming city | 76,865 | $72,163 | 10.8% | $203,900 |
| Kentwood city | 54,114 | $73,647 | 9.4% | $249,000 |
| Walker city | 25,201 | $73,835 | 7.7% | $266,400 |
| Grandville city | 16,135 | $78,551 | 6.4% | $251,100 |
| East Grand Rapids city | 11,394 | $168,487 | 3.5% | $488,500 |
| Rockford city | 6,162 | $100,156 | 4.9% | $294,800 |
| Lowell city | 4,133 | $71,406 | 9.1% | $231,100 |
| Cedar Springs city | 3,661 | $56,711 | 25.3% | $203,400 |
Cities Similar to Grand Rapids city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren city | 138,128 | $63,741 | $181,900 | 20.4% | 12.8% |
| Sterling Heights city | 133,473 | $78,429 | $260,700 | 31.2% | 10.6% |
| Ann Arbor city | 121,179 | $81,089 | $435,100 | 77.7% | 22.9% |
| Dearborn city | 107,846 | $65,192 | $205,900 | 34.3% | 24.3% |
| Lansing city | 112,546 | $52,170 | $119,400 | 29.6% | 19.9% |
Population Overview
Grand Rapids city is a major urban center located in Michigan, within Kent County. The total population is 197,768. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Grand Rapids city is 32.1 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Grand Rapids city is $65,526. This is 8% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 17% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.6%. This is 43% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $225,500. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $217,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 54.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Grand Rapids city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (16.1% vs 5.7%).
Education
40.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% higher 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 89.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Grand 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 Grand Rapids city, Michigan?
Grand Rapids city, Michigan has a population of 197,768 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Grand Rapids city, MI?
The median household income in Grand Rapids city is $65,526, which is 17% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Grand Rapids city, MI?
The poverty rate in Grand Rapids city is 18.6%. This means approximately 35,560 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Grand Rapids city, Michigan?
Grand Rapids city's population is 57.5% White, 17.4% Black, 16.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Grand Rapids city, MI?
The median home value in Grand Rapids city is $225,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Grand Rapids city, Michigan?
40.1% of adults (25+) in Grand Rapids city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.