Big Rapids, MI
Census place 2608300 · pop 8,477
Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities
-18.1% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities
23.5% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities
34.1% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities
6.9% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
41.5% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities
$43,858 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities
82.3% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.48 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
1.58% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities
389 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities
14.7% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities
26.9% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities
1468 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 26.5% · better than most cities
24.6% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 36.5% · better than most cities
34.2% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median 9.3% · better than most cities
7.5% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities
$156,400 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median $1,756/mo · better than most cities
$1,151/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities
33/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities
15 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
Not measured for Big Rapids: Air, Bad air. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.
Frequently asked
- Is Big Rapids, MI a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Big Rapids scores 41/100 — a D− (Rough) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 20 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is commute time and its weakest is population growth (5yr). Michigan overall ranks #42 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Big Rapids, MI?
- Big Rapids reports 389 violent crimes per 100k and 1468 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Big Rapids, MI expensive to live in?
- Big Rapids has a median home value of $156,400 and typical rent around $1,151/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Big Rapids, MI?
- Its weakest measured area is population growth (5yr) (-18.1%) — 0/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Big Rapids, MI best at?
- Its strongest measured area is commute time (15 min) — 96/100, better than most U.S. cities.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.