Grand Rapids Metro Area, MI Local Data & Statistics

State: MI
Total population: 1,162,152 Household income: $82,874 Rent: $1,202

Overview

Total population
1,162,152
Rent
$1,202
Year built
1979
Household income
$82,874
Per capita income
$41,561
Poverty rate
9.7%
Unemployment rate
4.0%
Household size
2.6 persons
Rent over 30% of income
46.2%

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
MI
Total population
1,162,152
Adults over 25
778,630
Total households
440,316
Household size
2.6 persons

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.

Income & Poverty

Household income
$82,874
Per capita income
$41,561
Poverty rate
9.7%
Unemployment rate
4.0%
Rent over 30% of income
46.2%

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.

Housing

Rent
$1,202
Year built
1979
Households that rent
25.4%
Households that own
74.6%
Rooms per home (all homes)
6.2

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.

Race

White
78.3%
Black
6.4%
Asian
2.6%
Two or more races
9.1%

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.

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
10.1%
Not Hispanic or Latino
89.9%

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.

Commute

Commute rate
87.6%
Commute time to work
22 mins
Work from home
12.4%

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.

Education

Less than high school
26.2%
High school graduate or GED
26.4%
Some college or associate degree
10.8%
Bachelor’s degree or higher
36.5%

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.

 

Comparison of Grand Rapids Metro Area, MI with: Michigan United States

Grand Rapids Metro Area

Total population1,162,152
Rent$1,202
Year built1979
Household income$82,874
Per capita income$41,561
Poverty rate9.7%
Unemployment rate4.0%

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 Metro AreaGrand Rapids Metro AreaStateMichiganCountryUnited States
Total population1,162,15210,077,761334,922,499
Rent$1,202$1,129$1,413
Year built197919721980
Household income$82,874$72,875$80,734
Per capita income$41,561$40,735$44,673
Poverty rate9.7%13.2%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.0%4.7%4%

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

 

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Summary for Grand Rapids Metro Area, MI

Grand Rapids metro area is located in MI.

Rent & Income

The typical monthly rent in this metro area is $1,202, while the typical household income is $82,874. Rent in this metro area is higher than Michigan and lower than the U.S., and household income is higher than Michigan and similar to the U.S.

Housing & Affordability

This metro area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 25.4% of households. About 46.2% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating a high cost burden. The poverty rate is about 9.7%, which is lower than both Michigan and the national rate.

Education & Employment

The local unemployment rate is about 4.0%, which is lower than the Michigan rate and similar to the national rate.

 

Grand Rapids Metro Area, MI — Rent vs Household Income

 

 

Grand Rapids Metro Area, MI — Poverty vs Unemployment

 

💰 Rent in Grand Rapids Metro Area, MI (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,202 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 Metro Area, MI

Annual Household Income: $82,874

💡 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 Metro Area, MI

Estimated Rate: 9.7%

💡 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 Metro Area, MI

In Grand Rapids Metro Area, MI, households that rent: 111,780 (25.4%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?
Household Type Count Share
Renter-Occupied 111,780 25.4%
Owner-Occupied 328,536 74.6%

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 Metro Area, MI

In Grand Rapids Metro Area, MI, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 51,624 (46.2%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?
Household Group Households Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%) 51,624 46.2%
Other renter households 60,156 53.8%
Total renter households 111,780 100%

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 Metro Area, MI

Less than High School: 204,276 people (26.2%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 205,690 people (26.4%)

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

Some College or Associate Degree: 84,120 people (10.8%)

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

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 284,544 people (36.5%)

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

👥 Total Adults (25+): 778,630

📊 Unemployment Rate in Grand Rapids Metro Area, MI

Estimated Rate: 4.0%

💡 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%.

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.