Grand Rapids, Michigan
Overview,
People,
Health,
Economy,
Housing,
Crime,
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Overview
City Overview
As of 2009, Grand Rapids's population is 193,627 people. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of -2.38 percent.
The median home cost in Grand Rapids is $103,250. Home appreciation the last year has been -8.80 percent.
Compared to the rest of the country, Grand Rapids's cost of living is 16.75% Lower than the U.S. average.
Grand Rapids public schools spend $7,058 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $6,058. There are about 18 students per teacher in Grand Rapids.
The unemployment rate in Grand Rapids is 13.80 percent(U.S. avg. is 8.50%). Recent job growth is Negative. Grand Rapids jobs have Decreased by 8.90 percent.
Overview,
People,
Health,
Economy,
Housing,
Crime,
Climate
Education,
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People
The 2009 Grand Rapids, MI, population is 193,627. There are 4,323 people per square mile (population density).
Family in Grand Rapids, MI
The median age is 31.5. The US median is 37.6. 46.43% of people in Grand Rapids, MI, are married. 10.66% are divorced.
The average household size is 2.63 people. 19.28% of people are married, with children. 12.41% have children, but are single.
Race in Grand Rapids, MI
63.45% of people are white, 21.10% are black, 1.94% are asian, 0.71% are native american, and 12.08% claim 'Other'.
16.37% of the people in Grand Rapids, MI, claim hispanic ethnicity (meaning 83.63% are non-hispanic).
Grand Rapids People SperlingViews
Grand Rapids is an ever increasing cool place cult: I have lived in Grand Rapids for 11 years now. I always thought is was just an average city in an average state, until now. I have grown to love and appreciate and be... (read more)Grand Rapids is taking off: Grand Rapids is host to numerous locally owned restaurants and businesses starting. Despite Michigan's terrible economy, GR is a little bit of a bright spot.
If you... (read more)Great place for the Arts!: Grand Rapids has traditionally fostered the arts, with a wonderful ballet company, symphony, opera company, and several theater and music options. Now we have the brand... (read more)Have an opinion about Grand Rapids? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Grand Rapids Click Here
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Health
There are 280 physicians per 100,000 population in Grand Rapids, MI. The US average is 170.
Grand Rapids, MI Health Index
Air quality in Grand Rapids, MI is 23 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). This is based on ozone alert days and number of pollutants in the air, as reported by the EPA.
Water quality in Grand Rapids, MI is 39 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators.
Superfund index is 20 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). This is upon the number and impact of EPA Superfund pollution sites in the county, including spending on the cleanup efforts.
Grand Rapids Health SperlingViews
re: A gem in a troubled state - 10/4/2009: While David's analysis does fail to paint a correct picture of GR, he does have the famous "west Michigan" mindset, the idea that it is a shielded vibrant utopia not... (read more)A gem in a troubled state: The economic troubles of Michigan and, in particular Detroit, tend to overwhelm non-Michiganders. Yet the "west coast" is comparatively free from all the ills that... (read more)re: Grand Rapids - 2/19/2008: I would definitely not consider MI a midwestern state. I believe the midwest begins with the Mississippi going west. I lived in MI for man years and I am not so sure I... (read more)Have an opinion about Grand Rapids? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Grand Rapids Click Here
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Economy
The unemployment rate in Grand Rapids, MI, is 13.80%, with job growth of -8.90%. Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 8.50%.
Grand Rapids, MI Taxes
Grand Rapids, MI,sales tax rate is 6.00%. Income tax is 5.40%.
Grand Rapids, MI Income and Salaries
The income per capita is $19,097, which includes all adults and children. The median household income is $41,059.
Grand Rapids Economy SperlingViews
Love my hometown, hate our economy: Here are some negatives and positives about Grand Rapids:
Negatives:
-Employment is hard to come by, the job market is flooded with qualified
people that are... (read more)what to say...Michigan going down hill quick!!!!: No jobs, bad weather, 500 cloudy days per year, why live here ....there are 49 other states. Years back I supposed it was ok to live here because there were jobs, but... (read more)economy: The economy here is not so great at the... (read more)Have an opinion about Grand Rapids? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Grand Rapids Click Here
| Unemployment Rate | 13.80% | 8.50% |
| Recent Job Growth | -8.90% | -3.10% |
| Future Job Growth | 8.50% | 26.40% |
| Sales Taxes | 6.00% | 6.00% |
| Income Taxes | 5.40% | 5.02% |
| Income per Cap. | $19,097 | $24,020 |
| Household Income | $41,059 | $44,684 |
| ESTIMATED HOUSEHOLDS BY HOUSEHOLD INCOME | | |
| Income Less Than 15K | 16.19% | 13.64% |
| Income between 15K and 25K | 13.60% | 11.21% |
| Income between 25K and 35K | 13.45% | 11.46% |
| Income between 35K and 50K | 18.46% | 15.84% |
| Income between 50K and 75K | 19.46% | 19.28% |
| Income between 75K and 100K | 9.96% | 11.53% |
| Income between 100K and 150K | 6.30% | 10.70% |
| Income between 150K and 250K | 1.99% | 4.43% |
| Income between 250K and 500K | 0.48% | 1.31% |
| Income greater than 500K | 0.13% | 0.61% |
| POPULATION BY OCCUPATION | | |
| Management, Business, and Financial Operations | 10.07% | 13.61% |
| Professional and Related Occupations | 19.04% | 20.24% |
| Service | 16.73% | 14.75% |
| Sales and Office | 24.93% | 26.74% |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | 0.68% | 0.74% |
| Construction, Extraction, and Maintenance | 6.78% | 9.48% |
| Production, Transportation, and Material Moving | 21.77% | 14.44% |
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Housing
The median home value in Grand Rapids, MI, is $103,250. Home appreciation is -8.80% over the last year. The median age of Grand Rapids, MI, real estate is 53 years.
Grand Rapids, MI Apartments and Rentals
Renters make up 37.95% of the Grand Rapids, MI, population. 6.02% of houses and apartments in Grand Rapids, MI, are unoccupied (vacancy rate).
Grand Rapids Housing SperlingViews
Spring Market: The market is finally picking... (read more)GR is pretty nice: Grand Rapids is a great city to live in. It's fairly afforable. I'm a recent college graduate and I have a job that allows me to have my own place, car and a little... (read more)re: Too Many Religious Conservatives Here - 8/8/20: Having lived overseas as a child and in Hawaii (the most diverse state in the Union), being a bi-racial woman in my late thirties is difficult in G.R. at times. It is a... (read more)Have an opinion about Grand Rapids? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Grand Rapids Click Here
| Median Home Age | 53 | 27 |
| Median Home Cost | $103,250 | $202,300 |
| Home Appreciation | -8.80% | -4.60% |
| Homes Owned | 56.35% | 64.07% |
| Housing Vacant | 6.02% | 14.48% |
| Homes Rented | 37.95% | 21.45% |
| Property Tax Rate | $13.04 | $13.28 |
| OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS BY VALUE | | |
| Less Than $20,000 | 0.76% | 3.01% |
| $20,000 to $39,999 | 2.84% | 4.37% |
| $40,000 to $59,999 | 7.42% | 5.74% |
| $60,000 to $79,999 | 13.12% | 7.07% |
| $80,000 to $99,999 | 18.10% | 8.41% |
| $100,000 to $149,999 | 36.92% | 19.74% |
| $150,000 to $199,999 | 13.57% | 14.06% |
| $200,000 to $299,999 | 5.52% | 16.59% |
| $300,000 to $399,999 | 0.97% | 8.21% |
| $400,000 to $499,999 | 0.38% | 4.53% |
| $500,000 to $749,999 | 0.20% | 4.75% |
| $1,000,000 or more | 0.12% | 1.86% |
| HOUSING UNITS BY YEAR STRUCTURE BUILT | | |
| 1999 to October 2005 | 3.26% | 10.15% |
| 1995 to 1998 | 2.70% | 6.69% |
| 1990 to 1994 | 3.04% | 6.70% |
| 1980 to 1989 | 6.99% | 14.75% |
| 1970 to 1979 | 8.47% | 17.11% |
| 1960 to 1969 | 12.33% | 12.78% |
| 1950 to 1959 | 16.09% | 11.64% |
| 1940 to 1949 | 11.96% | 6.64% |
| 1939 or Earlier | 35.16% | 13.55% |
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Crime
Grand Rapids, MI, violent crime, on a scale from 1 (low crime) to 10, is 7. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The US average is 3.
Grand Rapids, MI, property crime, on a scale from 1 (low) to 10, is 6. Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The US average is 3.
Grand Rapids Crime SperlingViews
Grand Rapids is an ever increasing cool place cult: I have lived in Grand Rapids for 11 years now. I always thought is was just an average city in an average state, until now. I have grown to love and appreciate and be... (read more)Grand Rapids is taking off: Grand Rapids is host to numerous locally owned restaurants and businesses starting. Despite Michigan's terrible economy, GR is a little bit of a bright spot.
If you... (read more)Great place for the Arts!: Grand Rapids has traditionally fostered the arts, with a wonderful ballet company, symphony, opera company, and several theater and music options. Now we have the brand... (read more)Have an opinion about Grand Rapids? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Grand Rapids Click Here
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Climate
Grand Rapids, MI, gets 31 inches of rain per year. The US average is 37. Snowfall is 72 inches. The average US city gets 25 inches of snow per year. The number of days with any measurable precipitation is 138.
On average, there are 158 sunny days per year in Grand Rapids, MI. The July high is around 84 degrees. The January low is 21. Our comfort index, which is based on humidity during the hot months, is a 51 out of 100, where higher is more comfortable. The US average on the comfort index is 44.
Grand Rapids Climate SperlingViews
Mid-West Town: Unemployment is out of control in this... (read more)cloudy winter: The winter here is very... (read more)Weather and sunshine in GR: Most of the year seems to be overcast especially during the winter months the lake effect causes clouds over the Grand Rapids area often. As for the summer months a 100%... (read more)Have an opinion about Grand Rapids? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Grand Rapids Click Here
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Education
Grand Rapids, MI, schools spend $7,058 per student. There are 18 pupils per teacher, 810 students per librarian, and 631 children per counselor in Grand Rapids, MI schools.
Grand Rapids Education SperlingViews
churches: christian reformed churches are readily... (read more)Worship: There are tons churches... (read more)Still a Conservative Town: 17% of the population of Kent and Ottawa Counties are Christian Reformed; a very conservative, some might say victorian religion. While the majority of the population... (read more)Have an opinion about Grand Rapids? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Grand Rapids Click Here
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Transportation
The average one-way commute in Grand Rapids, MI, takes 22 minutes. 76% of commuters drive their own car alone. 13% carpool with others. 2% take mass transit and 3% work from home.
Grand Rapids Transportation SperlingViews
Love my hometown, hate our economy: Here are some negatives and positives about Grand Rapids:
Negatives:
-Employment is hard to come by, the job market is flooded with qualified
people that are... (read more)Mid-West Town: Unemployment is out of control in this... (read more)cloudy winter: The winter here is very... (read more)Have an opinion about Grand Rapids? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Grand Rapids Click Here
Overview,
People,
Health,
Economy,
Housing,
Crime,
Climate
Education,
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Cost of Living
Our cost of living indices are based on a US average of 100. An amount below 100 means Grand Rapids, MI is cheaper than the US average. A cost of living index above 100 means Grand Rapids, MI is more expensive.
Overall, Grand Rapids, MI cost of living is 83.25.
Grand Rapids Cost of Living SperlingViews
GR is pretty nice: Grand Rapids is a great city to live in. It's fairly afforable. I'm a recent college graduate and I have a job that allows me to have my own place, car and a little... (read more)Spring Market: The market is finally picking... (read more)re: Too Many Religious Conservatives Here - 8/8/20: Having lived overseas as a child and in Hawaii (the most diverse state in the Union), being a bi-racial woman in my late thirties is difficult in G.R. at times. It is a... (read more)Have an opinion about Grand Rapids? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Grand Rapids Click Here
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Religion
52.86% of the people in Grand Rapids, MI are religious, meaning they affiliate with a religion. 19.97% are Catholic; 12.19% are Protestant; 0.56% are LDS; 18.59% are another Christian faith; 0.31% in Grand Rapids, MI are Jewish; 0.02% are an eastern faith; 1.22% affilitates with Islam.
Grand Rapids Religion SperlingViews
churches: christian reformed churches are readily... (read more)Worship: There are tons churches... (read more)Still a Conservative Town: 17% of the population of Kent and Ottawa Counties are Christian Reformed; a very conservative, some might say victorian religion. While the majority of the population... (read more)Have an opinion about Grand Rapids? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Grand Rapids Click Here
| Percent Religious | 52.86% | 50.03% |
| Catholic | 19.97% | 21.92% |
| Protestant | 12.19% | 19.12% |
| LDS | 0.56% | 1.57% |
| Baptist | 2.36% | 8.16% |
| Episcopalian | 0.53% | 8.12% |
| Pentecostal | 2.96% | 1.89% |
| Lutheran | 2.60% | 2.81% |
| Methodist | 2.68% | 3.84% |
| Presbyterian | 1.06% | 1.33% |
| Other Christian | 18.59% | 4.66% |
| Jewish | 0.31% | 2.16% |
| Eastern | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Islam | 1.22% | 0.54% |
Overview,
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Voting
40.19% of the people in Grand Rapids, MI are registered as Democrats. 58.85% are registered Republican. Remaining are independent: 0.96%.
Grand Rapids Voting SperlingViews
re: Too Many Religious Conservatives Here - 8/8/20: Having lived overseas as a child and in Hawaii (the most diverse state in the Union), being a bi-racial woman in my late thirties is difficult in G.R. at times. It is a... (read more)Too Many Religious Conservatives Here: This is a religiously conservative area. If you have progressive modern attitudes, you'd feel better living somewhere else. The economy is bad, and local news and... (read more)Too conservative: The majority of people with any political persuasion are very rich and very conservative. Because of this, the core "creative youth" tend to leave for larger, more... (read more)Have an opinion about Grand Rapids? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Grand Rapids Click Here
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