Grand Rapids metropolitan area explained

Official Name:Grand Rapids metropolitan area
Other Name:
Settlement Type:Metropolitan area
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1: Michigan
Subdivision Type2:Largest city
Subdivision Name2:Grand Rapids
Subdivision Type3:Counties
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Sq Mi:4381.2
Area Land Sq Mi:3242.2
Area Water Sq Mi:1139
Area Blank1 Title:CSA
Area Blank1 Sq Mi:8245.8
Population As Of:2020
Population Note:[2]
Population Total:1150015
Population Density Sq Mi:auto
Population Blank1 Title:CSA
Population Blank1:1486055
Population Density Blank1 Km2:auto
Population Density Blank1 Sq Mi:auto
Population Density Blank2 Km2:auto
Population Density Blank2 Sq Mi:auto
Timezone:EST
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Coordinates:42.9703°N -85.6691°W

The Grand Rapids metropolitan area is a triangular shaped Metro Triplex, in West Michigan, which fans out westward from the primary hub city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, to the other two metro hubs of Muskegon and Holland. The metropolitan area had an estimated population of 1,059,113 in 2017.[3] The region, noted in particular for its western edge abutting the Lake Michigan shoreline and its beaches, is a popular tourist and vacation destination during the summer. Noted popular metro area beach towns include Grand Haven, Holland, Muskegon, and Saugatuck.

The metropolitan area is home to many attractions. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is located in the outskirts of Grand Rapids. Michigan's Adventure theme park is just north of Muskegon, and the Grand Rapids Art Museum and the DeVos Place Convention Center are both in downtown Grand Rapids. The Grand River flows through the metropolitan area and is noted for its fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.

Definitions

See also: Michigan census statistical areas. The Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of five counties in western Michigan, anchored by the cities of Grand Rapids, Wyoming, and Kentwood. The MSA had a population of 1,150,015 at the 2020 census. It comprises five counties which include the central county of Kent, and the outlying counties of Barry, Ionia, Montcalm, and Ottawa.[4]

The Grand Rapids–Wyoming Combined Statistical Area is the 2nd largest CSA in the U.S. state of Michigan (behind Metro Detroit). The CSA had a population of 1,486,055 at the 2020 census. The primary cultural and financial centers of the region are Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Holland. It includes the five counties in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood MSA plus one metropolitan area, adding the Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI MSA of Muskegon County, and two micropolitan areas of Holland of Allegan County, and Big Rapids of Mecosta County for a total of eight counties.

The Grand Rapids metropolitan area is part of the Great Lakes Megalopolis containing an estimated 54 million people.

Communities

Places with more than 50,000 inhabitants

Places with 20,000 to 50,000 inhabitants

Places with 10,000 to 20,000 inhabitants

Places with 5,000 to 10,000 inhabitants

Places with 2,500 to 5,000 inhabitants

Places with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants

Unincorporated places

Demographics

2010 Census

As of the census of 2010, there were 774,160 people, 290,340 households, and 197,867 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 83.1% White, 8.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.8% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.4% of the population.

2000 Census

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 740,482 people, 272,130 households, and 188,192 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 85.71% White, 7.40% African American, 0.53% Native American, 1.51% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.82% from other races, and 1.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.02% of the population.

The median income for a household in the MSA was $43,251, and the median income for a family was $49,715. Males had a median income of $37,853 versus $25,483 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $19,173.

Grand Rapids-Kentwood Metropolitan Statistical Area

CountySeat2021 Estimate2020 CensusChangeAreaDensity
KentGrand Rapids847sqmi
OttawaGrand Haven563sqmi
MontcalmStanton705sqmi
IoniaIonia571sqmi
Total2686sqmi

Education

See also: List of colleges and universities in Michigan and List of high schools in Michigan.

The area also has campuses for Baker College, Ferris State University, Western Michigan University, and University of Phoenix, and the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

Economy

See also: List of Michigan companies.

Companies in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area

Culture and tourism

See also: List of shopping malls in Michigan.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: National Core Based Statistical Areas Gazetteer File. U.S. Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. 24 December 2023.
  2. Web site: Explore Census Data . Data.Census.Gov . U.S. Department of Commerce . 28 September 2021.
  3. Web site: Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2016 - United States -- Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Area; and for Puerto Rico. American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. 3 January 2018.
  4. Web site: Young . Shalanda . OMB BULLETIN NO. 23-01 . whitehouse.gov . Office of Management & Budget . 17 December 2023.
  5. Web site: U.S. Census website . . 2008-01-31 .