Grand Rapids, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Grand Rapids, Michigan had a total population of 198,535, the 2nd largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $69,108, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Grand Rapids is the 2nd largest city in Michigan with a population of 198,535.
Grand Rapids Quick Facts
How Grand Rapids Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 198,535 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $65,526 | $69,108 | +5.5% |
| Median home value | $225,500 | $244,500 | +8.4% |
How Grand Rapids Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Grand Rapids Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Kent County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 77,353 | $73,677 | 10.5% | $225,200 |
| Kentwood | 54,296 | $74,373 | 10.4% | $268,200 |
| Forest Hills | 28,695 | $158,005 | 3.0% | $498,500 |
| Walker | 25,386 | $76,360 | 7.6% | $295,200 |
| Cutlerville | 18,780 | $67,327 | 10.3% | $222,600 |
| Grandville | 16,356 | $78,442 | 7.3% | $271,300 |
| Northview | 15,268 | $85,403 | 9.1% | $289,300 |
| East Grand Rapids | 11,445 | $166,610 | 3.6% | $521,300 |
| Comstock Park | 10,577 | $59,984 | 11.8% | $235,300 |
| Byron Center | 7,403 | $122,553 | 2.3% | $384,400 |
Cities Similar to Grand Rapids
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren | 137,928 | $64,016 | $193,400 | 21.0% | 14.8% |
| Sterling Heights | 133,573 | $79,909 | $274,300 | 31.1% | 11.1% |
| Ann Arbor | 122,036 | $82,212 | $453,400 | 77.9% | 23.8% |
| Dearborn | 107,423 | $65,324 | $218,800 | 34.6% | 24.3% |
| Lansing | 113,023 | $54,382 | $128,700 | 30.2% | 20.1% |
Population Overview
Grand Rapids is a major urban center located in Michigan, within Kent County. The total population is 198,535. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Grand Rapids is 32.3 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Grand Rapids is $69,108. This is 5% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 28% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $244,500. Housing costs are 6% higher than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 54.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Grand Rapids is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (16.3% vs 5.9%).
Education
41.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Grand Rapids, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Grand Rapids, Michigan?
Grand Rapids, Michigan has a population of 198,535 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Grand Rapids, MI?
The median household income in Grand Rapids is $69,108, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Grand Rapids, MI?
The poverty rate in Grand Rapids is 16.9%. This means approximately 32,498 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Grand Rapids, Michigan?
Grand Rapids's population is 57.5% White, 17.5% Black, 16.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Grand Rapids, MI?
The median home value in Grand Rapids is $244,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Grand Rapids, Michigan?
41.6% of adults (25+) in Grand Rapids hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.