Why Greater Grand Rapids

Demographics

Greater Grand Rapids is Home to a Growing Population

Located between Chicago and Detroit, West Michigan is a growing region of more than 1.5 million people. At its core is the city of Grand Rapids, the state’s second-largest city.

In 2019, data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicated that Greater Grand Rapids was leading the state of Michigan in population growth, with a 38,000 resident increase over the course of five year. With an exceptional quality of life, successful companies and a highly diversified economy, the Greater Grand Rapids region attracts people from all over the country who want to live, work and play in this Midwestern hub for economic growth.

Workforce and Population Overview

A high-level overview of the Grand Rapids MSA and West Michigan workforce and population data

Data Set
Grand Rapids MSA*
West Michigan*
Data Set
Total Population
Grand Rapids MSA*
1,086,987
West Michigan*
1,626,529
Data Set
Growth Rate (2015-2020)
Grand Rapids MSA*
4.0%
West Michigan*
3.5%
Data Set
Civilian Labor Force
Grand Rapids MSA*
555,636
West Michigan*
794,947
Data Set
Jobs
Grand Rapids MSA*
601,954
West Michigan*
780,498
Data Set
Average Earnings Per Job
Grand Rapids MSA*
$63,300
West Michigan*
$58,700
Data Set
Gross Regional Product ($)
Grand Rapids MSA*
63.3B
West Michigan*
81.0B

*Grand Rapids-Kentwood Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of Kent, Ottawa, Montcalm, and Ionia counties

**West Michigan Region consists of Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa counties.


Data Source: Emsi - Economy Overview Report

Race and Ethnicity (Grand Rapids-Kentwood MSA*)

**Grand Rapids-Kentwood Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of Kent, Ottawa, Montcalm, and Ionia counties

* Data Source: Emsi - Population Demographics Report

Race and Ethnicity (West Michigan*)

*West Michigan Region consists of Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa counties.

* Data Source: Emsi - Population Demographics Report

Age Distribution (Grand Rapids-Kentwood MSA*)

Total population for the Grand Rapids-Kentwood MSA in 2020 was 1,086,987 people.

*Grand Rapids-Kentwood Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) consists of Kent, Ottawa, Montcalm, and Ionia counties

** Source: Emsi - Population Demographics Report

Age Distribution (West Michigan*)

Total population for West Michigan in 2020 was 1,626,529 people.

*West Michigan Region consists of Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa counties.

** Source: Emsi - Population Demographics Report