Editing Big Rapids, Michigan

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Distinguish|Grand Rapids, Michigan}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Big Rapids, Michigan
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| nickname           = "B.R."
| motto              = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = Big Rapids, Michigan 2009.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Aerial photograph of Big Rapids in 2009
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map          = Mecosta_County_Michigan_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Big_Rapids_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Big Rapids, Michigan
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
| pushpin_map        = Michigan#USA
| pushpin_label      = Big Rapids
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| pushpin_map_alt    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = <!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Michigan}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Michigan|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Mecosta County, Michigan|Mecosta]]

<!-- Government -->| government_footnotes = 
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Fred Guenther
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = Incorporated
| established_date   = 1869
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022">{{cite web |title=2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Michigan |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2022_Gazetteer/2022_gaz_place_26.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=September 8, 2023}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 11.82
| area_land_km2      = 11.51
| area_water_km2     = 0.30
| area_total_sq_mi   = 4.56
| area_land_sq_mi    = 4.45
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.12

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US2608300&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Big Rapids city, Michigan: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=September 8, 2023}}</ref>
| population_total   = 7727
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
| population_density_km2 = 671.13
| population_density_sq_mi = 1738.36

<!-- General information -->| timezone           = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset         = -5
| timezone_DST       = EDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -4
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 282
| elevation_ft       = 925
| coordinates        = {{coord|43|41|56|N|85|28|52|W|region:US-MI|display=inline}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 49307
| area_code          = [[Area code 231|231]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 26-08300<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url = https://www.census.gov |publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date = January 31, 2008 |title = U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 1619197<ref name="GR3">{{cite web |url = http://geonames.usgs.gov |access-date = January 31, 2008 |title = US Board on Geographic Names |publisher = [[United States Geological Survey]] |date = October 25, 2007 }}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|cityofbr.org}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Big Rapids''' is a city and the [[county seat|seat of government]] of [[Mecosta County, Michigan]], United States. The population was 7,727 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="Census 2020"/> down from 10,601 in [[2010 United States census|2010]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url = http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date = June 7, 2011 |title = Find a County |publisher = National Association of Counties |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date = May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The city is surrounded by [[Big Rapids Township, Michigan|Big Rapids Charter Township]] but they are completely separate jurisdictions. Big Rapids is home of the main campus of [[Ferris State University]], a four-year public university.

==History==
Big Rapids was settled in 1855 by brothers George and Zera French. As the village of Leonard, at the intersection of Elm and Stewart streets, it became the seat of Mecosta County on February 11, 1859,<ref name=LeonardHistoryJW>{{cite web |url = https://mecosta.migenweb.org/leonardvillage.html |title = The Village That Time Forgot |work = In The Woods |first = Jim |last = Wood |year = 1999 |access-date = December 14, 2023 |via = MIGenWeb }}{{sps|date=December 2023}}</ref> but local lumbermen knew the site as Big Rapids. On September 29, 1859, the Leonard post office was renamed Big Rapids.<ref name=LeonardHistoryJW /> Big Rapids was platted on November 3, 1859, surrounding the courthouse site of Leonard.<ref name=LeonardHistoryJW /> The unincorporated community of Big Rapids was first cited on June 10, 1861, rather than Leonard, when the Mecosta County board of supervisors mentioned their seat of government, and in 1865 was consistently cited throughout the year.<ref name=LeonardHistoryJW /> Big Rapids was incorporated as a city in 1869.<ref name=LeonardHistoryJW /><ref>{{cite book |first = Walter |last = Romig |year = 1986 |title = Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities  |series = Great Lakes Books |location = Detroit |publisher = Wayne State University Press |page = 61 |oclc = 756403524 }}</ref>

==Geography==
Big Rapids is in northwestern Mecosta County in central Michigan. It is {{convert|56|mi}} north of [[Grand Rapids, Michigan|Grand Rapids]] and {{convert|42|mi}} south of [[Cadillac, Michigan|Cadillac]], both via [[U.S. Route 131]]. The city sits along the [[Muskegon River]], which passes Ferris State University and the local middle school on its way southwest to [[Lake Michigan]]. As with most of the area, Big Rapids lies on an ancient sea bed and has a sandy [[subsoil]] which lies above an iron ore base.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|4.56|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|4.45|sqmi|sqkm|2}} are land and {{convert|0.12|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, or 2.56%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022"/>

==Government==
The city levies an income tax of 1 percent on residents and 0.5 percent on nonresidents.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Gibbons |first1 = Lauren |title = Michigan State University, city of East Lansing at odds over proposed income tax |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/08/michigan_state_university_city.html#incart_river_home |access-date = August 16, 2017 |work = MLive Lansing |publisher = Mlive Media Group |date = August 16, 2017 }}</ref>

==Transportation==

===Major highways===
*{{jct|state=MI|US|131}}
*{{jct|state=MI|US-Bus|131|dab1=Big Rapids}}
*{{jct|state=MI|M|20}}
*{{jct|state=MI|CDH|B-96|county1=Mecosta}}

===Bus===
*[[Indian Trails]] provides daily intercity bus service between [[Grand Rapids, Michigan|Grand Rapids]] and [[Petoskey, Michigan]]. The southbound bus stops in Big Rapids at 2:35 pm, and the northbound bus stops in Big Rapids at 6:03 pm.<ref>{{cite web |title = Grand Rapids–Cadillac–Traverse City–Petoskey |publisher = [[Indian Trails]] |date = January 15, 2013 |access-date = March 9, 2013 |url = http://www.indiantrails.com/sites/default/files/1484.pdf }}{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Since August 1, 2014, buses stop in the [[Save-A-Lot]] parking lot across the street from the Racquet & Fitness Center.
*Public [[Demand responsive transport|dial-a-ride]] bus service is provided by the Big Rapids Dial-A-Ride.

===Airports===
*[[Roben-Hood Airport]] is located {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} north of the Big Rapids business district and provides services to businesses and general aviation throughout the Midwest.
*[[Gerald R. Ford International Airport]] is the nearest international airport, located roughly one hour south of Big Rapids near Grand Rapids.

===Cycling and hiking===
The [[Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park|Fred Meijer White Pine Trail]], a {{convert|92|mi|km|adj=on}} multi-use trail from Grand Rapids to Cadillac, passes through Big Rapids.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 1237
|1880= 3552
|1890= 5303
|1900= 4686
|1910= 4519
|1920= 4558
|1930= 4671
|1940= 4987
|1950= 6736
|1960= 8686
|1970= 11995
|1980= 14361
|1990= 12603
|2000= 10849
|2010= 10601
|2020= 7727
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url = https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title = Census of Population and Housing |publisher = Census.gov |access-date = June 4, 2015 }}</ref>
}}

=== Population decline ===
Big Rapids' population peaked in the 1980s. Since the 1980s, Big Rapids has lost over 46% of its population.<ref name="GR2" /> There are a number of reasons for the decline, one being the decline in enrollment at Ferris State University.<ref>{{Cite web |last = Bussa |first = Jayson |title = New Ferris State president confronts declining enrollment, post-pandemic opportunities |url = https://mibiz.com/sections/economic-development/new-ferris-state-president-confronts-declining-enrollment-post-pandemic-opportunities |access-date = May 26, 2022 |website = mibiz.com |language = en-GB }}</ref> Quality of life concerns have also played a role. Mecosta County (like most rural areas)<ref>{{Cite news |last = Porter |first = Eduardo |date = December 14, 2018 |title = The Hard Truths of Trying to 'Save' the Rural Economy |language = en-US |work = The New York Times |url = https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/12/14/opinion/rural-america-trump-decline.html,%20https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/12/14/opinion/rural-america-trump-decline.html |access-date = May 26, 2022 |issn = 0362-4331 }}</ref> struggles with poor education, lack of high-paying jobs, and high rates of [[substance abuse]].<ref>{{Cite web |last = Price |first = Shepard |date = April 8, 2022 |title = Stopping the deaths: Here's what Michigan is doing to prevent fentanyl overdoses |url = https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Michiganders-are-dying-of-fentanyl-overdoses-17066846.php |access-date = May 26, 2022 |website = Midland Daily News |language = en-US }}</ref>

=== 2020 census ===
As of the [[census]] of 2020, there were 7,727 people, 3,085 households, and 1,044 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{Convert|1738.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2}}. There were 3,590 housing units at an average density of {{Convert|806.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2}}. The racial makeup of the city was 83% [[White (US Census)|White]], 5.8% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.5% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.1% [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]], 1.4% from [[Other races (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 7.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] residents of any race were 5.1% of the population.

There were 3,085 households, of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 21.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 66.2% were non-families. 42.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age of the city was 22 years. 12.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 51.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.6% were from 25 to 44; 10.7% were from 45 to 64; and 7.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 53.7% male and 46.3% female.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web |title = U.S. Census website |url = https://www.census.gov |publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date = November 25, 2012 }}</ref> of 2010, there were 10,601 people, 3,330 households, and 1,323 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2431.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 3,623 housing units at an average density of {{convert|831.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 88.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 6.8% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.7% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.6% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] residents of any race were 2.4% of the population.

There were 3,330 households, of which 22.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 22.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 60.3% were non-families. 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the city was 21.8 years. 12.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 54% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 15.9% were from 25 to 44; 11.2% were from 45 to 64; and 6.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.0% male and 49.0% female.

==Climate==
This [[climate|climatic]] region has large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Big Rapids has a [[humid continental climate]], abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=41457&cityname=Big+Rapids%2C+Michigan%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Big Rapids, Michigan]</ref>

{{Weather box 
|location = Big Rapids Water Treatment Plant, Michigan (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1896–present)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 61
|Feb record high F = 64
|Mar record high F = 85
|Apr record high F = 89
|May record high F = 93
|Jun record high F = 99
|Jul record high F = 103
|Aug record high F = 101
|Sep record high F = 97
|Oct record high F = 88
|Nov record high F = 76
|Dec record high F = 66
|year record high F = 103
|Jan high F = 28.2
|Feb high F = 31.4
|Mar high F = 42.0
|Apr high F = 54.8
|May high F = 67.6
|Jun high F = 77.2
|Jul high F = 81.3
|Aug high F = 79.0
|Sep high F = 71.6
|Oct high F = 58.1
|Nov high F = 44.1
|Dec high F = 33.2
|year high F = 55.7
|Jan mean F = 20.4
|Feb mean F = 21.8
|Mar mean F = 30.9
|Apr mean F = 42.9
|May mean F = 55.4
|Jun mean F = 65.1
|Jul mean F = 69.2
|Aug mean F = 67.0
|Sep mean F = 59.3
|Oct mean F = 47.2
|Nov mean F = 35.8
|Dec mean F = 26.3
|year mean F = 45.1
|Jan low F = 12.7
|Feb low F = 12.2
|Mar low F = 19.8
|Apr low F = 30.9
|May low F = 43.2
|Jun low F = 53.0
|Jul low F = 57.1
|Aug low F = 55.0
|Sep low F = 46.9
|Oct low F = 36.3
|Nov low F = 27.5
|Dec low F = 19.3
|year low F = 34.5
|Jan record low F = −30
|Feb record low F = −36
|Mar record low F = −24
|Apr record low F = 1
|May record low F = 20
|Jun record low F = 28
|Jul record low F = 32
|Aug record low F = 32
|Sep record low F = 16
|Oct record low F = 10
|Nov record low F = −8
|Dec record low F = −18
|year record low F = −36
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.43
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.97
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.57
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.95
|May precipitation inch = 3.76
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.36
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.48
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.24
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.02
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.76
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.05
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.33
|year precipitation inch = 37.92
|Jan snow inch = 17.8
|Feb snow inch = 16.0
|Mar snow inch = 7.7
|Apr snow inch = 1.5
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.2
|Nov snow inch = 3.8
|Dec snow inch = 14.3
|year snow inch = 61.3
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 16.5
|Feb precipitation days = 12.9
|Mar precipitation days = 11.6
|Apr precipitation days = 13.5
|May precipitation days = 13.0
|Jun precipitation days = 10.7
|Jul precipitation days = 10.5
|Aug precipitation days = 11.3
|Sep precipitation days = 11.5
|Oct precipitation days = 14.7
|Nov precipitation days = 13.7
|Dec precipitation days = 14.9
|year precipitation days = 154.8
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 13.8
|Feb snow days = 10.0
|Mar snow days = 5.1
|Apr snow days = 1.4
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.2
|Nov snow days = 3.4
|Dec snow days = 9.8
|year snow days = 43.7
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= NOAA >
{{cite web |url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=grr |title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = September 4, 2021 }}</ref><ref name=NCEI>{{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00200779&format=pdf |title = Station: Big Rapids WTP, MI |work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = September 4, 2021 }}</ref>
}}

==Notable people==
<!-- Note:
· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability.
· The article must mention how they are associated with Big Rapids, whether born, raised, or residing.
· The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited.
· Alphabetical by last name please.
· All others will be deleted.
-->

* [[Matt Borland]], NASCAR crew chief
* [[Justin Currie (American football)| Justin Currie]], NFL player; raised in Big Rapids <ref>{{cite web |last1 = Harden |first1 = Max |title = Big Rapids native Justin Currie records first career sack |url = https://www.bigrapidsnews.com/state-sports/article/Big-Rapids-native-Justin-Currie-records-first-14201576.php |website = Big Rapid News |publisher = Pioneer |access-date = May 5, 2021 }}</ref>
* [[May Erlewine]], musician
* [[Ben Hebard Fuller]], major general and [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]]; born in Big Rapids
* [[Clint Hurdle]], outfielder with four [[MLB]] teams; manager of the [[Colorado Rockies]] and [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]; born in Big Rapids
* [[James Hynes]], novelist; grew up in Big Rapids
* [[Tom Shanahan]], a sportswriter and author; grew up in Big Rapids
* [[Anna Howard Shaw]], a leader of the women's suffrage movement in the nineteenth century; lived in Big Rapids as a young woman
* [[Daisy Tapley]], African American classical singer; born in Big Rapids
* [[Virginia Van Wie]], Women’s Golf Champion, Women’s Golf Hall of Fame, made a home in Big Rapids in her later years

==Education==
* [[Big Rapids Public Schools]]
* [[Crossroads Charter Academy]]
* [[Ferris State University]]
* St. Peter's Lutheran Church and School
* St. Mary's Catholic School

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Big Rapids, Michigan}}
*{{Official|cityofbr.org}}
*[http://www.bigrapids.org/ Big Rapids Convention & Visitors Bureau]
*{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Big Rapids|short=x}}

{{Mecosta County, Michigan}}
{{Michigan county seats}}

{{Coord|43|41|53|N|85|29|01|W|type:city_region:US-MI|display=title}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:1855 establishments in Michigan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1855]]
[[Category:Cities in Mecosta County, Michigan]]
[[Category:County seats in Michigan]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of Michigan]]