Big Rapids, Michigan

Big Rapids is a city and the seat of government of Mecosta County, Michigan. The population was 7,727 at the 2020 census, down from 10,601 in 2010. The city is surrounded by Big Rapids Charter Township but they are completely separate jurisdictions. Big Rapids is home of the main campus of Ferris State University, a four-year public university.

History
Big Rapids was settled in 1855 by brothers George and Zera French. As the village of Leonard, at the intersection of Elm and Stewart streets, it became the seat of Mecosta County on February 11, 1859, but local lumbermen knew the site as Big Rapids. On September 29, 1859, the Leonard post office was renamed Big Rapids. Big Rapids was platted on November 3, 1859, surrounding the courthouse site of Leonard. The unincorporated community of Big Rapids was first cited on June 10, 1861, rather than Leonard, when the Mecosta County board of supervisors mentioned their seat of government, and in 1865 was consistently cited throughout the year. Big Rapids was incorporated as a city in 1869.

Geography
Big Rapids is in northwestern Mecosta County in central Michigan. It is 56 mi north of Grand Rapids and 42 mi south of Cadillac, both via U.S. Route 131. The city sits along the Muskegon River, which passes Ferris State University and the local middle school on its way southwest to Lake Michigan. As with most of the area, Big Rapids lies on an ancient sea bed and has a sandy subsoil which lies above an iron ore base.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.56 sqmi, of which 4.45 sqmi are land and 0.12 sqmi, or 2.56%, are water.

Government
The city levies an income tax of 1 percent on residents and 0.5 percent on nonresidents.

Bus

 * Indian Trails provides daily intercity bus service between Grand Rapids and Petoskey, Michigan. The southbound bus stops in Big Rapids at 2:35 pm, and the northbound bus stops in Big Rapids at 6:03 pm. Since August 1, 2014, buses stop in the Save-A-Lot parking lot across the street from the Racquet & Fitness Center.
 * Public dial-a-ride bus service is provided by the Big Rapids Dial-A-Ride.

Airports

 * Roben-Hood Airport is located 2 mi north of the Big Rapids business district and provides services to businesses and general aviation throughout the Midwest.
 * Gerald R. Ford International Airport is the nearest international airport, located roughly one hour south of Big Rapids near Grand Rapids.

Cycling and hiking
The Fred Meijer White Pine Trail, a 92 mi multi-use trail from Grand Rapids to Cadillac, passes through Big Rapids.

Population decline
Big Rapids' population peaked in the 1980s. Since the 1980s, Big Rapids has lost over 46% of its population. There are a number of reasons for the decline, one being the decline in enrollment at Ferris State University. Quality of life concerns have also played a role. Mecosta County (like most rural areas) struggles with poor education, lack of high-paying jobs, and high rates of substance abuse.

2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 7,727 people, 3,085 households, and 1,044 families living in the city. The population density was 1738.4 PD/sqmi. There were 3,590 housing units at an average density of 806.7 PD/sqmi. 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 were 5.1% of the population.

There were 3,085 households, of which 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. 42.3% 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. 12.8% 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.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 10,601 people, 3,330 households, and 1,323 families living in the city. The population density was 2431.4 PD/sqmi. There were 3,623 housing units at an average density of 831.0 /sqmi. 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 were 2.4% of the population.

There were 3,330 households, of which 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. 36.5% 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. 12.5% 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 climatic region has large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Big Rapids has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "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

Education

 * Big Rapids Public Schools
 * Crossroads Charter Academy
 * Ferris State University
 * St. Peter's Lutheran Church and School
 * St. Mary's Catholic School