Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids: The second most populous city in Michigan.
About
Grand Rapids is a city located in the county of Kent in the U.S. state of Michigan. Its population at the 2010 census was 188,040 and a population density of 1,602 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 200,031 inhabitants.
The city was created 200 years ago in 1825.
Grand Rapids is a city located in western Michigan on the Grand River. With a metro population of around 1 million, it is the second largest city in Michigan after Detroit.
History and Origins
Grand Rapids was incorporated in 1850. Its early growth was fueled by the lumber and furniture industries.
Key historical facts:
- Officially incorporated as a city in 1850
- Early economy driven by logging along the Grand River
- Became a major furniture production center nicknamed "Furniture City"
- Continued expansion as a manufacturing and biotech hub
Economy and Major Industries
Major sectors today include healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and consumer goods. Top employers are:
- Spectrum Health healthcare network
- Amway corporation
- Meijer superstores
- Grand Rapids Public Schools
The city serves as a distribution and logistics hub.
Attractions and Things to Do
Well-known sites include:
- Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
- Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
- Urban forested parks like John Ball Zoo
- Grand Rapids Art Museum housing over 5,000 works
- Beer City Ale Trail featuring local breweries
Grand Rapids blends urban life with natural scenery, art, and culture in western Michigan.
Quick Facts about Grand Rapids
| Population | 200,031 (2020) |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | Michigan (United States) |
| County | Kent County |
| Phone Area Codes | 616 |
| Area | 117.36 km2 |
| Official name | Grand Rapids |
| Latitude & Longitude | 42.9634,-85.6681 |
| Altitude | 640 feet / 195 meters |
| Capital city | Grand Rapids is capital of Kent County |
| Establishment | January 01, 1826 (200 years ago) |
| Time Zone | UTC−04:00, UTC−05:00, Eastern Time Zone |
| Local time | 16:28:28 (22nd April 2026) |
| Postal code | 49503 |
| Density | 1,704 Pop. per km² as of 2020 |
| Population growth | 5.99% (2010-2020) |
| Weather | 72℉ Sunny 7-days weather |
Geography
Grand Rapids is located at 42°57'48"N 85°40'5"W (42.9633600, -85.6680900).
Grand Rapids map
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Official website of Grand Rapids
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Demographics
The population of Grand Rapids increased by 5.99% in 10 years.
| Year | Population | % Change | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 2,686 | - | census |
| 1860 | 8,085 | 66.78% | census |
| 1870 | 16,507 | 51.02% | census |
| 1880 | 32,016 | 48.44% | census |
| 1890 | 60,278 | 46.89% | census |
| 1900 | 87,565 | 31.16% | census |
| 1910 | 112,571 | 22.21% | census |
| 2010 | 188,040 | 40.13% | census |
| 2011 | 189,104 | 0.56% | estimation process |
| 2012 | 190,821 | 0.9% | estimation process |
| 2013 | 192,982 | 1.12% | estimation process |
| 2014 | 194,335 | 0.7% | estimation process |
| 2015 | 195,056 | 0.37% | estimation process |
| 2016 | 196,556 | 0.76% | estimation process |
| 2017 | 199,135 | 1.3% | estimation process |
| 2018 | 200,136 | 0.5% | estimation process |
| 2019 | 201,013 | 0.44% | estimation process |
| 2020 | 200,031 | -0.49% | estimation process |
Best Things to Do in Grand Rapids
1Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, United States View details
Phone: +16169571580 | Website available
2John Ball Zoo
1300 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, United States View details
Phone: +16163364300 | Website available
3Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, United States View details
Phone: +16169291700 | Website available
4Rosa Parks Circle
135 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, United States View details
Phone: +16164563696 | Website available
5Riverside Park
2001 Monroe Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, United States View details
Phone: +16164563696 | Website available
Services and Civic Places in Grand Rapids
1Grand Rapids City Hall
300 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 View details
Phone: +16164563000 | Website available
2Usda APHIS PPQ
3260 Eagle Park Dr NE #119, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, United States View details
Phone: +16169426225 | Website available
3Agricultural Department
350 Ottawa Ave NW # 1, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, United States View details
Phone: +16163560600
4USDA Rural Development
3260 Eagle Park Dr NE #109, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, United States View details
Phone: +16169424110 | Website available
People born in Grand Rapids (200)
People born in Grand Rapids, including musician Del Shannon, singer Anthony Kiedis, actress Stacy Haiduk, .
More notable people
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. (American boxer) he was born in 24/02/1977
- Russell Vis (Olympic wrestler) he was born in 22/06/1900
- Thom Hartmann (American radio personality, author, and political commentator) he was born in 07/05/1951
- Roger Bruce Chaffee (United States Navy commander, NASA astronaut) he was born in 15/02/1935
- Adina Howard (Singer-songwriter) she was born in 14/11/1973
- Joe Warren (American sport wrestler and mixed martial artist) he was born in 31/10/1976
- Jack R. Lousma (American astronaut and politician) he was born in 29/02/1936
- Paul Schrader (American film director) he was born in 22/07/1946
- Frederick H. Mueller (United States Secretary of Commerce (1893-1976)) he was born in 22/11/1893
- Otto Brower (film director) he was born in 02/12/1895
- Stanley Ketchel (American boxer) he was born in 14/09/1886
- Jay Van Andel (American businessman) he was born in 03/07/1924
- Toni Trucks (American actress) she was born in 30/09/1980
- Betsy Snite (alpine skier) she was born in 20/12/1938
- Kim Zimmer (American actress) she was born in 02/02/1955
- Stephen W. Bosworth (former Dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and a United States diplomat) he was born in 04/12/1939
- Andy Richter (American actor) he was born in 28/10/1966
- Ellen Buckley (military nurse) she was born in 21/10/1913
Nearby Schools and Colleges
Schools and campuses linked to Grand Rapids, MI. Select a name to open its map and contact details.
| Code | Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 170055 | Grand Rapids Community College | Grand Rapids (MI) | 49503-3295 |
| 459417 | Compass College of Cinematic Arts | Grand Rapids (MI) | 49503 |
| 168786 | Aquinas College | Grand Rapids (MI) | 49506-1801 |
| 170000 | Grace Christian University | Wyoming (MI) | 49509 |
| 170037 | Cornerstone University | Grand Rapids (MI) | 49525-5897 |
Nearby Transit Stations (13)
Rail and bus stations connected to Grand Rapids, MI. Select a station to open its map and address details.
| Code | Name | Address | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| GRR | Vernon J. Ehlers Station | 431 Wealthy St. SW | RAIL |
| RKF | Rockford, Michigan | US 131 & 10 Mile Road NE | BUS |
| HOM | Holland station | 171 Lincoln Ave. | RAIL |
| HWC | Howard City, Michigan | 130 North Ensley St. | BUS |
| KAL | Kalamazoo Transportation Center | 459 North Burdick St. | RAIL |
Closest post offices linked to Grand Rapids.
| Post Office Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|
| Ledyard Post Office | Grand Rapids (MI) | 49503 |
| Grand Rapid Post Office | Grand Rapids (MI) | 49501 |
| Grand River Carrier Annex Post Office | Grand Rapids (MI) | 49503 |
| Eastown Post Office | Grand Rapids (MI) | 49506 |
| Northw Post Office | Grand Rapids (MI) | 49504 |
Other places with the same name (3)
- Grand Rapids, Minnesota city in Itasca County, Minnesota, United States with a population of 11,219 people.
- Grand Rapids, Ohio town in Wood County, Wisconsin, United States with a population of 1,006 people.
- Grand Rapids, North Dakota city in North Dakota, United States of America with a population of 85 people.
Other cities in Kent County
Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Kent County , MI. (more)
| City Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 76,628 | A city in Kent County, Michigan. |
| Kentwood | 51,719 | Town of the United States |
| Forest Hills | 25,867 | Neighborhood of Queens, New York City, New York, USA |
| Walker | 25,265 | City in Kent County, Michigan |
| Grandville | 15,749 | City in Kent County, Michigan |
| Ada | 14,892 | Township in Kent County, Michigan |
| Northview | 14,541 | Unincorporated community in Michigan |
| Cutlerville | 14,370 | Unincorporated community in Michigan |
| Alpine | 13,883 | Township in Kent County, Michigan |
| East Grand Rapids | 11,991 | City in Kent County, Michigan |
| Comstock Park | 10,088 | Unincorporated community in Michigan |
| Rockford | 6,395 | City in Kent County, Michigan |
| Byron Center | 5,822 | Census-designated place in Kent County, Michigan |
| Sparta | 5,321 | Village in Kent County, Michigan |
| Ross | 4,975 | Township in Kalamazoo County, Michigan |
| Lowell | 4,196 | City in Kent County, Michigan, United States |
Distance to Other Cities
Grand Rapids distances to largest Michigan cities