Big Rapids

County:: Mecosta County
County Seat:: Yes
Area (mi²):: 4.445
State:: Michigan

Big Rapids is a city located in Mecosta County, Michigan. Big Rapids has a 2025 population of 8,027. It is also the county seat of Mecosta County. Big Rapids is currently growing at a rate of 0.73% annually and its population has increased by 3.72% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 7,739 in 2020.

The average household income in Big Rapids is $54,333 with a poverty rate of 35.4%. The median age in Big Rapids is 23 years: 22.5 years for males, and 23.6 years for females.

Demographics

The racial composition of Big Rapids includes 86.52% White, 6.54% Black or African American, and smaller percentages for Native American, Asian, other race, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

White

Black or African American

Two or more races

Native American

Asian

Other race

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Race	Population	Percentage (of total)
White	6,789	86.52%
Black or African American	513	6.54%
Two or more races	284	3.62%
Native American	128	1.63%
Asian	87	1.11%
Other race	41	0.52%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	5	0.06%

Big Rapids Marital Status

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

Never Married

Economics and Income Statistics

Big Rapids' average per capita income is $33,309. Household income levels show a median of $40,197. The poverty rate stands at 35.4%.

Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.

Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.

Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.

Name	Median	Mean
Married Families	$91,875	-
Families	$63,935	$82,091
Households	$40,197	$54,333
Non Families	$28,977	$36,562

$33,309

Average Income

$40,197

Median Household Income

35.4%

Poverty Rate