Big Rapids, MI Demographics

A map of Big Rapids's Population by Race

Big Rapids, Michigan has an estimated population of 8,477, an increase from the 7,727 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 86.4% White, 5.9% Black, 2.7% Hispanic, 2.6% Multiracial, 1.2% Asian, and 1.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Big Rapids, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Big Rapids has become considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Michigan overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Big Rapids, that probability was 33.7% in 2020 and 24.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Big Rapids is ranked the 118th most populous place in Michigan, out of 745 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Big Rapids was ranked the 129th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Big Rapids's White Population

7,327 residents of Big Rapids, or 86.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Big Rapids is considerably higher than in Michigan overall, where 72.4% of the population is White. Big Rapids ranks 607th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Big Rapids's White population has grown by an estimated 17.3%. White residents' share of Big Rapids's population has increased from 80.9% to 86.4%.

Big Rapids is more White than neighboring Stanwood (79% White), and Morley (73.2% White). Big Rapids is less White than neighboring Paris (91.6% White), Hersey (93.6% White), and Reed City (87.4% White).

Big Rapids's Black Population

500 residents of Big Rapids, or 5.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Big Rapids is lower than in Michigan overall, where 13.1% of the population is Black. Big Rapids ranks 105th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Big Rapids's Black population has grown by an estimated 13.6%. Black residents' share of Big Rapids's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.9%.

Big Rapids is more Black than neighboring Paris (0% Black), Stanwood (0% Black), Hersey (0% Black), and Reed City (3.2% Black). Big Rapids is less Black than neighboring Morley (12.2% Black).

Big Rapids's Asian Population

98 residents of Big Rapids, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Big Rapids is slightly lower than in Michigan overall, where 3.4% of the population is Asian. Big Rapids ranks 85th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Big Rapids's Asian population has declined by an estimated 37.6%. Asian residents' share of Big Rapids's population has decreased from 2.0% to 1.2%.

Big Rapids is more Asian than neighboring Paris (0% Asian), Stanwood (0% Asian), Hersey (0% Asian), Reed City (0.3% Asian), and Morley (0.5% Asian).

Big Rapids's Hispanic Population

233 residents of Big Rapids, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Big Rapids is slightly lower than in Michigan overall, where 5.9% of the population is Hispanic. Big Rapids ranks 231st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Big Rapids's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 33.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Big Rapids's population has decreased from 4.5% to 2.7%.

Big Rapids is more Hispanic than neighboring Paris (0% Hispanic), Hersey (0% Hispanic), and Morley (2.2% Hispanic). Big Rapids is less Hispanic than neighboring Stanwood (14.2% Hispanic), and Reed City (3.1% Hispanic).

Big Rapids's Native American/Other Population

102 residents of Big Rapids, or 1.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Big Rapids is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Big Rapids ranks 247th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Big Rapids's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 36.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Big Rapids's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Big Rapids is more Native American/Other than neighboring Paris (0% Native American/Other). Big Rapids is less Native American/Other than neighboring Hersey (3.6% Native American/Other), Reed City (1.4% Native American/Other), and Morley (10.1% Native American/Other).

Big Rapids's Multiracial Population

217 residents of Big Rapids, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Big Rapids is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Big Rapids ranks 113th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Big Rapids's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 52.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Big Rapids's population has decreased from 5.9% to 2.6%.

Big Rapids is more Multiracial than neighboring Morley (1.8% Multiracial). Big Rapids is less Multiracial than neighboring Paris (8.4% Multiracial), Stanwood (5.6% Multiracial), Hersey (2.8% Multiracial), and Reed City (4.7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.