Big Rapids, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Big Rapids is a city in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. As of the 2000 census
, the city population was 10,849. It is the county seat
of Mecosta County
. The city is located within Big Rapids Township
, but is politically independent.
, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²), of which, 4.2 square miles (10.9 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (3.42%) is water. Like most of the central Michigan area, it lies on the ancient sea bed and has a sandy subsoil which lies above an iron ore base. The Muskegon River runs through Big Rapids, passing both Ferris State University
and the local middle school on its way to Lake Michigan. Numerous small lakes are within a few miles of the city.
of 2000, there were 10,849 people, 3,388 households, and 1,473 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,555.5 per square mile (985.6/km²). There were 3,654 housing units at an average density of 860.7 per square mile (332.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.57% White, 10.63% Black, 0.73% Native American, 2.24% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races
, and 2.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.83% of the population.
There were 3,388 households out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.5% were married couples
living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 56.5% were non-families. 35.7% 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 2.26 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 15.2% under the age of 18, 51.0% from 18 to 24, 17.3% from 25 to 44, 9.1% from 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 109.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.4 males. Ferris State University has a high number of male students, accounting for this anomaly.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,192, and the median income for a family was $28,629. Males had a median income of $30,341 versus $19,770 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $10,719. About 19.2% of families and 35.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.3% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. As of the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, the city population was 10,849. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Mecosta County
Mecosta County, Michigan
Mecosta County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. The county is named after Chief Mecosta, the leader of the Potawatomi Native American tribe that once traveled the local waterways in search of fish and game. Chief Mecosta was one of the signers the Treaty of Washington in 1836. The easily...
. The city is located within Big Rapids Township
Big Rapids Township, Michigan
Big Rapids Township is a charter township of Mecosta County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 3,249.The city of Big Rapids is located within the township, but is administratively autonomous.-Geography:...
, but is politically independent.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²), of which, 4.2 square miles (10.9 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (3.42%) is water. Like most of the central Michigan area, it lies on the ancient sea bed and has a sandy subsoil which lies above an iron ore base. The Muskegon River runs through Big Rapids, passing both Ferris State University
Ferris State University
Ferris State University is a public university with its main campus in Big Rapids, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1884 as the Big Rapids Industrial School by Woodbridge Nathan Ferris, an educator from New England who later served as governor of the State of Michigan and finally in the US Senate where...
and the local middle school on its way to Lake Michigan. Numerous small lakes are within a few miles of the city.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 10,849 people, 3,388 households, and 1,473 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,555.5 per square mile (985.6/km²). There were 3,654 housing units at an average density of 860.7 per square mile (332.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.57% White, 10.63% Black, 0.73% Native American, 2.24% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.83% of the population.
There were 3,388 households out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 56.5% were non-families. 35.7% 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 2.26 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 15.2% under the age of 18, 51.0% from 18 to 24, 17.3% from 25 to 44, 9.1% from 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 109.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.4 males. Ferris State University has a high number of male students, accounting for this anomaly.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,192, and the median income for a family was $28,629. Males had a median income of $30,341 versus $19,770 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $10,719. About 19.2% of families and 35.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.3% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.
Notable Natives
- Big Rapids is the birthplace of former Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, Ben Hebard FullerBen Hebard FullerBen Hebard Fuller was a Major General in the United States Marine Corps and served as Commandant of the Marine Corps between 1930 and 1934.-Biography:...
. - It is also the birthplace of Clint HurdleClint HurdleClinton Merrick Hurdle is a former Major League Baseball outfielder whose 10-year career was spent with the Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals. After retiring from playing baseball, Hurdle became a manager...
, a former baseball player for the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
and current manager of the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. - It is the hometown of the Commanding Officer of the USS Mesa Verde, Commander Larry Legree.
- American novelist James HynesJames HynesJames Hynes is an American novelist. He was born in Okemos, Michigan, and grew up in Big Rapids, Michigan. He lived for many years in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and currently resides in Austin, Texas, where he has taught creative writing at the University of Texas...
grew up in Big Rapids. - Anna Howard ShawAnna Howard ShawAnna Howard Shaw was a leader of the women's suffrage movement in the United States. She was also a physician and the first ordained female Methodist minister in the United States. Her birthday is celebrated as Anna Howard Shaw Day, as an alternative to St. Valentine's Day.-Early Life:Shaw was...
, a prominent leader of the U.S. woman suffrage movement, lived, preached, and attended high school in Big Rapids before moving on to study divinity and medicine at Boston UniversityBoston UniversityBoston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
. - Film critic and G4G4 (TV channel)G4, also known as G4 TV, is an American cable- and satellite-television channel originally geared primarily toward young adult viewers, originally based on the world of video games...
personality Chris GoreChris GoreChristopher Patrick "Chris" Gore is an acclaimed speaker and writer on the topic of independent film.Gore was born September 5, 1965 in Big Rapids, Michigan. He is the main writer and the founder of Film Threat, a project dedicated to covering independent and underground movies which he started in...
was born in Big Rapids.
Education
- Big Rapids Public SchoolsBig Rapids Public SchoolsBig Rapids Public Schools is a Class B district in mid-Michigan. The District's Superintendent is Tim Haist. The district operates Big Rapids High School , an alternative high school, Big Rapids Middle School , two elementary schools an early childhood development center, and a preschool for 4...
- Crossroads Charter AcademyCrossroads Charter AcademyCrossroads Charter Academy is a K-12 charter school located in Big Rapids, Michigan in Mecosta County.-History:Originally founded as a K-8 school in 1998, classes met in the former Big Rapids High School building on North State Street....
- Ferris State UniversityFerris State UniversityFerris State University is a public university with its main campus in Big Rapids, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1884 as the Big Rapids Industrial School by Woodbridge Nathan Ferris, an educator from New England who later served as governor of the State of Michigan and finally in the US Senate where...
- St. Peter's Lutheran Church and School
- St. Mary's Catholic School