Grand Rapids, MI Local Data & Statistics

State: MI

Total population: 198,535 Household income: $69,108 Rent: $1,266

Overview

Total population

198,535

Rent

$1,266

Year built

1953

Household income

$69,108

Per capita income

$35,921

Poverty rate

16.9%

Unemployment rate

5.1%

Household size

2.4 persons

Rent over 30% of income

46.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Michigan

Total population

198,535

Adults over 25

130,354

Total households

80,222

Household size

2.4 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$69,108

Per capita income

$35,921

Poverty rate

16.9%

Unemployment rate

5.1%

Rent over 30% of income

46.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$1,266

Year built

1953

Households that rent

46%

Households that own

54%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.6

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

60.2%

Black

18%

Asian

2.8%

Two or more races

14.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

16.3%

Not Hispanic or Latino

83.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

86.1%

Commute time to work

19 mins

Work from home

13.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

27.4%

High school graduate or GED

21.6%

Some college or associate degree

9.4%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

41.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Grand Rapids, MI with: Michigan United States

Grand Rapids, MI

Total population198,535

Rent$1,266

Year built1953

Household income$69,108

Per capita income$35,921

Poverty rate16.9%

Unemployment rate5.1%

Michigan State

Total population10,077,761

Rent$1,129

Year built1972

Household income$72,875

Per capita income$40,735

Poverty rate13.2%

Unemployment rate4.7%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CityGrand Rapids, MI	StateMichigan	CountryUnited States
Total population	198,535	10,077,761	334,922,499
Rent	$1,266	$1,129	$1,413
Year built	1953	1972	1980
Household income	$69,108	$72,875	$80,734
Per capita income	$35,921	$40,735	$44,673
Poverty rate	16.9%	13.2%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	5.1%	4.7%	4%

View the complete comparison of Grand Rapids, MI, Michigan and United States →

Summary for Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids is located in Michigan.

Rent & Income

In Grand Rapids, the typical monthly rent is $1,266 and the typical household income is $69,108. Rent here is higher than Michigan and lower than the U.S., and household income is lower than both Michigan and the U.S. The estimated poverty rate is 16.9%, which is higher than in both Michigan and national.

Housing & Affordability

Renters make up about 46% of households, indicating a relatively balanced mix of renters and owners. About 46.7% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is high, with about 41.6% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 5.1%, which is higher than both Michigan and the national rate.

Grand Rapids, MI — Rent vs Household Income

Grand Rapids, MI — Poverty vs Unemployment

How Grand Rapids, MI compares in Michigan (24 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$1,266	13 / 24	from lower rent	$915 – $1,747
Household income	$69,108	12 / 24	from higher income	$37,646 – $120,694
Poverty rate	16.9%	14 / 24	from lower poverty	4.7% – 34.1%
Unemployment rate	5.1%	15 / 24	from lower unemployment	2.4% – 13.1%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in Michigan with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for Grand Rapids, MI

Rent

For typical rent levels, Grand Rapids is ranked 13th out of 24 major areas in Michigan. Statewide values span from $915 in Flint, MI to $1,747 in Novi, MI.

Household income

Looking at household income, Grand Rapids places 12th out of 24 significant areas. Incomes across Michigan range between $37,646 in Flint, MI and $120,694 in Rochester Hills, MI.

Poverty rate

Grand Rapids places 14th out of 24 large communities for poverty. Statewide figures move from 4.7% in Livonia, MI up to 34.1% in Flint, MI.

Unemployment rate

Unemployment levels put Grand Rapids in 15th place among 24 large places. Statewide unemployment spans from 2.4% in Royal Oak, MI to 13.1% in Flint, MI.

💰 Rent in Grand Rapids, MI (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,266 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Grand Rapids, MI

Annual Household Income: $69,108

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Grand Rapids, MI

Estimated Rate: 16.9%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Grand Rapids, MI

In Grand Rapids, MI, households that rent: 36,871 (46%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	36,871	46%
Owner-Occupied	43,351	54%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Grand Rapids, MI

In Grand Rapids, MI, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 17,204 (46.7%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	17,204	46.7%
Other renter households	19,667	53.3%
Total renter households	36,871	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Grand Rapids, MI

Less than High School: 35,726 people (27.4%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 28,110 people (21.6%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 12,277 people (9.4%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 54,241 people (41.6%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 130,354

📊 Unemployment Rate in Grand Rapids, MI

Estimated Rate: 5.1%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Grand Prairie, TX198,564 Montgomery, AL198,440 Birmingham, AL199,322 Sioux Falls, SD197,642 Tallahassee, FL199,696 Overland Park, KS197,199 Amarillo, TX200,945 Oxnard, CA201,014 Huntington Beach, CA196,010 McKinney, TX202,314

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.