Are you looking to move to the city of Grand Rapids and are curious about the history of the population over the years? 

Largest Cities in Michigan

For those who may not know, Detroit is the largest city in Michigan with a population of around 633,000 people which covers around 138 square miles. The second largest population in Michigan is our very own Grand Rapids with a population of around 196,000 people which covers just under 45 square miles. The third-largest city in Michigan is Warren, Michigan, with around 136,000 people covering about 35 square miles. The metro area of Grand Rapids is around 1,000,000 people which includes cities like Wyoming, Michigan (the 17th largest city in the state), which hosts about 74,000 people, and the 31st largest city, Kentwood, Michigan with about 54,000. Many don’t realize that East Grand Rapids, Michigan is its own city, and not just another part of Grand Rapids, being located right next to the city of Grand Rapids. The population of East Grand Rapids is around 11,500 people. 

History of Grand Rapids Population

Grand Rapids was incorporated in 1850 and quickly reached a population of approximately 20,000 by 1870. At that time Grand Rapids was a trading post built around the 252-mile Grand River, which stretches from Grand Haven all the way to Jackson, Michigan. Throughout the 20th century, Grand Rapids saw continued population increases with the city’s population peaking nearly 200,000 people by the 1970s. Like many American cities that faced challenges in the post-industrial area, deindustrialization and suburbanization led to the city’s decline in population within the city limits. By the 2000s, the Grand Rapids’ population had stabilized and even began to grow again as revitalization efforts in the downtown area, along with investments in healthcare, education, and technology attracted new residents.

The Future of Grand Rapids, Michigan

Of course, we’re all super excited about the years to come. Grand Rapids has done some incredible things over the years, with additions like the downtown market, 20 Monroe Live, The Intersection, Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place, and a new soccer stadium and outdoor amphitheater being built. There are truly so many great things to love about this city.

If you have any questions about moving to Grand Rapids or want to discuss the areas in and around the city, definitely reach out to our team or grab our Guide to Relocating to Grand Rapids here.