Big Rapids is a city and the location of the Mecosta County government in Michigan, United States. According to the 2020 census, the population was 7,727, a decrease from 10,601 in 2010. The city is surrounded by Big Rapids Charter Township, but the two areas are governed separately. The main campus of Ferris State University, a public university offering four-year programs, is located in Big Rapids.

History

Big Rapids was first settled in 1855 by brothers George and Zera French. The village, originally called Leonard, was located at the crossing of Elm and Stewart streets and became the county seat of Mecosta County on February 11, 1859. However, local lumber workers referred to the area as Big Rapids. On September 29, 1859, the Leonard post office was renamed Big Rapids. The town was officially mapped out on November 3, 1859, around the courthouse site of Leonard. The unincorporated community of Big Rapids was first recorded on June 10, 1861, when the Mecosta County board of supervisors mentioned the location as their government seat. By 1865, the name Big Rapids was consistently used. Big Rapids became an officially incorporated city in 1869.

Geography

Big Rapids is located in the northwest part of Mecosta County in central Michigan. It is 56 miles (90 kilometers) north of Grand Rapids and 42 miles (68 kilometers) south of Cadillac, both by way of Highway 131. The city is situated along the Muskegon River, which flows past Ferris State University and the local middle school as it moves southwest toward Lake Michigan. Like much of the region, Big Rapids is built on an ancient sea bed, with sandy soil that lies above layers of iron ore.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.56 square miles (11.81 square kilometers). Of this, 4.45 square miles (11.53 square kilometers) are land, and 0.12 square miles (0.31 square kilometers), or 2.56%, are water.

Transportation

• US 131
• Bus. US 131
• M-20
• B-96

• Indian Trails offers daily bus service between Grand Rapids and Petoskey, Michigan. The bus heading south stops in Big Rapids at 2:35 pm, and the bus heading north stops in Big Rapids at 6:03 pm. Since August 1, 2014, buses stop in the Save-A-Lot parking lot across from the Racquet & Fitness Center.
• The Big Rapids Dial-A-Ride provides a public bus service that people can call for rides.

• Roben-Hood Airport is located two miles (3.2 km) north of the Big Rapids business area. It serves businesses and general aviation in the Midwest.
• Gerald R. Ford International Airport is the closest international airport. It is about one hour south of Big Rapids, near Grand Rapids.

The Fred Meijer White Pine Trail, a 92-mile (148 km) multi-use trail from Grand Rapids to Cadillac, goes through Big Rapids.

Demographics

Big Rapids' population was the highest in the 1980s. Since the 1980s, the city has had a population decrease of more than 46%. One reason for this decline is the drop in student enrollment at Ferris State University.

According to the 2020 census, there were 7,727 people, 3,085 households, and 1,044 families living in the city. The population density was 1,738.4 people per square mile (671.2/km²). There were 3,590 housing units, with an average density of 806.7 people per square mile (311.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83% White, 5.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 7.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 5.1% of the population.

There were 3,085 households. Of these, 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 21.5% were married couples living together, 10% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 66.2% were non-families. Forty-two point three percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09, and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age of the city was 22 years. Twelve point eight percent of residents were under the age of 18; 51.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.6% were from 25 to 44; 10.7% were from 45 to 64; and 7.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 53.7% male and 46.3% female.

According to the 2010 census, there were 10,601 people, 3,330 households, and 1,323 families living in the city. The population density was 2,431.4 people per square mile (938.8/km²). There were 3,623 housing units, with an average density of 831.0 people per square mile (320.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.0% White, 6.8% African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 2.4% of the population.

There were 3,330 households. Of these, 22.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 22.9% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 60.3% were non-families. Thirty-six point five percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22, and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the city was 21.8 years. Twelve point five percent of residents were under the age of 18; 54% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 15.9% were from 25 to 44; 11.2% were from 45 to 64; and 6.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.0% male and 49.0% female.

Climate

This climate region experiences big changes in temperature between seasons, with warm or hot summers that are often humid and cold winters that can be very cold. The Köppen Climate Classification system states that Big Rapids has a humid continental climate, which is labeled as "Dfb" on climate maps.

Notable people

• Matt Borland, NASCAR crew chief
• Justin Currie, NFL player; raised in Big Rapids
• May Erlewine, musician
• Ben Hebard Fuller, major general and Commandant of the Marine Corps; born in Big Rapids
• Clint Hurdle, outfielder with four MLB teams; manager of the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates; born in Big Rapids
• James Hynes, novelist; grew up in Big Rapids
• Tom Shanahan, a sportswriter and author; grew up in Big Rapids
• Anna Howard Shaw, a leader of the women's suffrage movement in the nineteenth century; lived in Big Rapids as a young woman
• Daisy Tapley, African American classical singer; born in Big Rapids
• Virginia Van Wie, Women’s Golf Champion, Women’s Golf Hall of Fame, made a home in Big Rapids in her later years

Education

The following are examples of educational and religious institutions: Big Rapids Public Schools, Crossroads Charter Academy, Ferris State University, St. Peter's Lutheran Church and School, and St. Mary's Catholic School.