Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand Rapids: The second most populous city in Michigan. It is located in the western part of the state. Grand Rapids is known for its many breweries, its many parks and green spaces, and its many attractions, such as the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

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 198 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.

Grand Rapids locator map
Location of Grand Rapids on Michigan map.

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
Altitude : 640 feet / 195 meters
Capital city : Grand Rapids is capital of Kent County
Establishment : January 01, 1826 (198 years ago)
Time Zone : UTC−04:00, UTC−05:00, Eastern Time Zone
Local time : 05:39:20 (17th November 2024)
Postal code : 49503
Density : 1,704 Pop. per km² as of 2020
Population growth : 5.99% (2010-2020)
Grand Rapids montage image
Grand Rapids montage
Grand Rapids montage image

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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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

Grand Rapids zip code is 49503. County name: Kent, County fips: 26081

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People born in Grand Rapids (200)

People born in Grand Rapids, including musician Del Shannon, singer Anthony Kiedis, actress Stacy Haiduk, .

List

  • 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

Schools in Grand Rapids

College & universities near Grand Rapids, MI

Code Name City ZIP
459417 Compass College of Cinematic Arts Grand Rapids (MI) 49503
170055 Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids (MI) 49503-3295
168786 Aquinas College Grand Rapids (MI) 49506-1801
170000 Grace Christian University Wyoming (MI) 49509
170037 Cornerstone University Grand Rapids (MI) 49525-5897

Stations (13)

Amtrak & bus stations near Grand Rapids, MI

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

Post offices near 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 (4)

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