Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Big Rapids, MI Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

8,477

Median Agei

22.9

Race & Ethnicityi

White

86.4%7,327

Black

5.9%500

Hispanic/Latino

2.7%233

Two or More

2.6%217

Asian

1.2%98

American Indian/Alaska Native

1.2%98

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%4

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.9%135

High School Diploma

32%1,098

Some College (<1 yr)

10.4%356

Some College (1+ yr)

12.2%419

Associate's Degree

8.9%307

Bachelor's Degree

19%653

Master's Degree

6.3%218

Professional Degree

0.6%19

Doctorate

1%34

HS or Higher

94.3%

BA or Higher

26.9%

Graduate+

7.9%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$156,400

Median Renti

$929

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

41.5%1,299

Renter-Occupied

58.5%1,834

Total Units

3,610

Homeownership

41.5%

Vacancy Rate

13.2%

Home Values

Under $50K

10.4%135

$50K–$100K

18.6%241

$100K–$150K

16%208

$150K–$200K

30.3%394

$200K–$300K

15.8%205

$300K–$500K

5.4%70

$500K–$1M

1.4%18

$1M+

2.2%28

Rent Distribution

Under $500

255

$500–$750

383

$750–$1,000

382

$1,000–$1,250

422

$1,250–$1,500

$1,500–$2,000

100

$2,000+

123

Year Built

2020 or later

0.3%12

2010–2019

9.8%355

2000–2009

7.7%279

1990–1999

3.8%136

1980–1989

8.4%304

1970–1979

15.4%556

1960–1969

9.5%344

1950–1959

9.9%358

1940–1949

4.9%177

1939 or earlier

30.2%1,089

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

72.5%2,272

Electricity

20.9%656

Bottled/LP Gas

3.7%115

Other

2.5%77

No Fuel

0.4%13

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$43,858

Mean Household Incomei

$59,842

Per Capita Incomei

$23,446

Poverty Ratei

26.1%

Unemploymenti

4.3%

Labor Forcei

4,891

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

7.7%241

$10K–$15K

10.9%342

$15K–$20K

6.7%210

$20K–$25K

6.4%200

$25K–$30K

4.2%133

$30K–$35K

8.2%256

$35K–$40K

2.2%70

$40K–$45K

5.8%183

$45K–$50K

3.4%108

$50K–$60K

9%281

$60K–$75K

9.6%300

$75K–$100K

10.1%315

$100K–$125K

5.8%181

$125K–$150K

3.5%109

$150K–$200K

3.9%121

$200K+

2.6%83

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

469

Residentsi

709

Avg. Tenant Renti

$446/mo

Programs in this community

Public Housing287 homes99% occupied$462/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers9 homes

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 848 homes86% occupied$373/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

811/PRAC18 homes95% occupied$384/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $43,858/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $13K/yr

58.2%

Very low income$13K–$22K/yr

28.2%

Low income$22K–$35K/yr

12.8%

Moderate / aboveOver $35K/yr

0.8%

Who Receives This Housing

71.3% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

7.2% of subsidized households are minority

31.4% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

42.2% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

770.9%

By Region

Top Countries

Canada

Philippines

Germany

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

4,366

Avg. Commutei

14.9 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

4,673

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

192(2.6% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

93.8%Insured

6.2%Uninsured