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.[4] 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.

Grand Rapids metropolitan area
Grand Rapids–Wyoming--Kentwood MSA
Grand Rapids–Wyoming CSA
Satellite image of the city of Grand Rapids and its surrounding area.
Satellite image of the city of Grand Rapids and its surrounding area.
Grand Rapids-Kentwood-Muskegon CSA
and its components:
  Grand Rapids MSA
  Muskegon MSA
  Holland μSA
  Big Rapids μSA
Coordinates: 42°58′13″N 85°40′09″W / 42.9703°N 85.6691°W / 42.9703; -85.6691
Country United States
StateMichigan Michigan
Largest cityGrand Rapids
Counties
List
Area
 • Total4,381.2 sq mi (11,347 km2)
 • Land3,242.2 sq mi (8,397 km2)
 • Water1,139 sq mi (2,950 km2)
 • CSA8,245.8 sq mi (21,357 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,150,015
 • Density260/sq mi (100/km2)
 • CSA
1,486,055
 • CSA density180/sq mi (70/km2)
 [2]
GDP
 • MSA$77.296 billion (2022)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)

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

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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.[5]

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

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Places with more than 50,000 inhabitants

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Places with 20,000 to 50,000 inhabitants

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Places with 10,000 to 20,000 inhabitants

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Places with 5,000 to 10,000 inhabitants

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Places with 2,500 to 5,000 inhabitants

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Places with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants

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Unincorporated places

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1900236,464
1910270,06514.2%
1920294,2298.9%
1930357,93321.7%
1940370,2893.5%
1950431,21416.5%
1960540,83325.4%
1970624,73315.5%
1980701,05012.2%
1990798,48213.9%
2000935,39317.1%
2010993,6706.2%
20201,087,5929.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
[2]

2010 Census

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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

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As of the census[7] 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

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County Seat 2021 Estimate 2020 Census Change Area Density
Kent Grand Rapids 658,046 657,974 +0.01% 847 sq mi (2,190 km2) 777/sq mi (300/km2)
Ottawa Grand Haven 299,157 296,200 +1.00% 563 sq mi (1,460 km2) 531/sq mi (205/km2)
Montcalm Stanton 67,220 66,614 +0.91% 705 sq mi (1,830 km2) 95/sq mi (37/km2)
Ionia Ionia 67,197 66,804 +0.59% 571 sq mi (1,480 km2) 118/sq mi (45/km2)
Total 1,091,620 1,087,592 +0.37% 2,686 sq mi (6,960 km2) 406/sq mi (157/km2)

Education

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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

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Companies in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area

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Culture and tourism

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National Core Based Statistical Areas Gazetteer File". U.S. Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Explore Census Data". Data.Census.Gov. U.S. Department of Commerce. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Total Gross Domestic Product for Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI (MSA)". Federal Reserve Economic Data. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
  4. ^ "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. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  5. ^ Young, Shalanda. "OMB BULLETIN NO. 23-01" (PDF). whitehouse.gov. Office of Management & Budget. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  7. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.