Big Rapids is a city and the seat of government of Mecosta County, Michigan, United States. The population was 7,727 at the 2020 census, and was estimated at 8,565 in 2024, The city is surrounded by 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.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Big Rapids ranks

All →

#21Shortest commute in MI #121Most affordable in MI #148Most walkable in MI All MI rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code49307

Area code231

Living in Big Rapids

Housing in Big Rapids

$198K Median sale price · Redfin, May 2026

The median sale price was $198,000 in May 2026.

A seller's market

Buyer’sBalancedSeller’s

Days on market17

Sale-to-list99.6%

Sold in May10

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Big Rapids

—

Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). Big Rapids's police department reported only 2024 and 2025, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

Big Rapids 4.4

Michigan 4.3

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Big Rapids 13.2

Michigan 13

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Health in Big Rapids

B⁻

Health Grade B−

Healthier than 55% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 95% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Michigan

7better than MI·11worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 14 are too close to call.

Conditions 7▲ 2▼ 3 close Habits all close Care 4▼ 3 close Mind 2▼ 3 close Everyday needs 3▼ 1 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

5.5%Fewer adults who have had cancerMI 8.9% · better 20.5%Fewer adults with arthritisMI 29.1% · better 18.9%More older adults who have lost all their teethMI 10.2% · worse

Care nearby

Corewell Health Big Rapids HospitalBig Rapids · 0.5 mi · ER

Family Health Care - Big RapidsBig Rapids · 1 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Big Rapids · CMS · HRSAHealth in Big Rapids →

Natural hazards in Big Rapids

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 74% of U.S. communities.

💨 Strong wind🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes

3Does Big Rapids flood?paid flood claims since 1991 4Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Big Rapids

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Big Rapids →

Schools in Big Rapids

All Big Rapids schools →

B⁻

School Grade B-

The public schools Big Rapids’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 54% of Michigan’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

#174Best public schoolsof 490 in MI

DistrictBig Rapids Public SchoolsSchools11

Riverview Elementary School A+Elementary · Grades K–4 · 346 students Brookside Elementary School B-Elementary · Grades PK–4 · 336 students Eastwood ElementaryElementary · Grades PK–K · 209 students Crossroads Charter Academy K5 C-Elementary · Grades K–5 · 103 students St. Mary Catholic SchoolElementary · Grades PK–8 · 127 students St. Peters Lutheran SchoolElementary · Grades PK–8 · 97 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within MI. Ratings are from neighbors.