Cedar Springs is located in Kent County, Michigan. According to the 2020 census, the city had a population of 3,627. It is in the northern part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area and is approximately 20 miles (32.2 km) north of Grand Rapids.

History

The area was first settled by Robin Hicks as early as 1855. A post office was created on February 4, 1857, with Nicholas Hill as the first postmaster. The village was officially mapped out in 1859. In 1868, the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad built a railway line through the area, which helped the village grow. The village officially became a city in 1871. The name Cedar Springs came from the many cedar trees and natural springs found in the area. In 1959, the village officially became a city.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city covers a total area of 2.02 square miles (about 5.23 square kilometers). Out of this, 1.95 square miles (about 5.05 square kilometers) is land, and 0.07 square miles (about 0.18 square kilometers), which is 3.47%, is water.

Transportation

• Indian Trails provides daily bus service between Grand Rapids and Petoskey.
• US 131 is part of the western boundary of the city.
• M-46 heads north and travels along with U.S. Route 131.

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, the city had 3,509 people, 1,215 households, and 887 families. The population density was 1,728.6 people per square mile (667.4 per square kilometer). There were 1,307 housing units, with an average density of 643.8 per square mile (248.6 per square kilometer). The racial makeup of the city was 94.3% White, 0.8% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race made up 4.2% of the population.

Of the 1,215 households, 47.3% had children under 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples, 21.6% had a female householder without a husband, 7.8% had a male householder without a wife, and 27.0% were non-families. Twenty-two point two percent of households were single individuals, and 7% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.81 people, and the average family size was 3.23 people.

The median age in the city was 29.6 years. Thirty-two point nine percent of residents were under 18, 9.8% were between 18 and 24, 28.2% were between 25 and 44, 19.2% were between 45 and 64, and 9.9% were 65 or older. The gender distribution was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.

As of the 2000 census, the city had 3,112 people, 1,115 households, and 774 families. The population density was 1,701.9 people per square mile (657.1 per square kilometer). There were 1,175 housing units, with an average density of 642.6 per square mile (248.1 per square kilometer). The racial makeup was 95.85% White, 0.29% African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 1.19% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race made up 3.82% of the population. The ancestry groups included 24% German, 14.2% American, 13.7% Dutch, 9.8% Irish, 9.5% English, and 7.4% Polish.

Of the 1,115 households, 40.1% had children under 18, 46.3% were married couples, 17.9% had a female householder without a husband, and 30.5% were non-families. Twenty-four point two percent of households were single individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.71 people, and the average family size was 3.17 people.

In 2000, 31.3% of the population was under 18, 11.6% were between 18 and 24, 31.0% were between 25 and 44, 15.8% were between 45 and 64, and 10.3% were 65 or older. The median age was 29.6 years, which was below the state average. For every 100 females, there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females aged 18 or older, there were 87.5 males.

In 2010, the median household income was $39,542, and the median family income was $42,250. Males had a median income of $37,708, while females had a median income of $23,056. The average income per person was $16,040. Approximately 12.4% of families and 13.8% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 18.4% of those under 18 and 7.5% of those 65 or older.

Notable people

• Bert Carr, college football player at the University of Michigan; practiced medicine in Cedar Springs
• Mike Huckleberry, member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 70th district; born in Cedar Springs
• Charles Kelly, historian; born in Cedar Springs
• Andre Metzger, World medalist in freestyle wrestling, member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame; raised in Cedar Springs
• Brad Slaight, actor, writer, comedian, and Hollywood celebrity; born in Cedar Springs