Big Rapids, Michigan

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Big Rapids, Michigan
settlement_type = City
nickname =
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Big Rapids, Michigan


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Michigan
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Mecosta

government_footnotes =
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unit_pref = Imperial
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area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 11.4
area_land_km2 = 11.0
area_water_km2 = 0.4
area_total_sq_mi = 4.4
area_land_sq_mi = 4.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.1

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 10849
population_density_km2 = 986.7
population_density_sq_mi = 2555.5

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 282
elevation_ft = 925
latd = 43 |latm = 41 |lats = 56 |latNS = N
longd = 85 |longm = 28 |longs = 52 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 49307
area_code = 231
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 26-08300GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1619197GR|3
website =
footnotes =

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 CountyGR|6. The city is located within Big Rapids Township, but is politically independent.

Big Rapids is the birthplace of former Commandant of the Marine Corps Ben Hebard Fuller. It is also the birthplace of Clint Hurdle, a former baseball player for the Kansas City Royals and current manager for the Colorado Rockies.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²), of which, 4.2 square miles (11.0 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 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 the University and the local middle school on its way to Lake Michigan. Numerous small lakes are within a few miles of the city.

Major Highways

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Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 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/sq mi (332.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.57% White, 10.63% African American, 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 annual Ice Sculpture contest gives the locals a chance to see these lively students in action.

In 1955 the city had a centennial celebration, recalling the fact that there were once 27 saloons in Big Rapids. They were frequented primarily by loggers and the like. At the centennial, there was a beer drinking contest and a beard growing contest. The beard growing contest was won by Porter J. Holman, a local resident of Belgian descent. The other events have been lost in the mists of time.

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.

Education

* Big Rapids Public Schools
* Crossroads Charter Academy
* Ferris State University
* [http://www.stpetersbr.com/ St. Peter's Lutheran Church and School]

Big Rapids High School -- Within a few years after its opening in 1964, BRHS was struck by a tornado. Miraculously, the roof of the gymnasium remained intact.

St. Mary's Catholic School is on Marion Avenue, adjacent the parish church. The original structure, an attractive romanesque brownstone with a bell tower, was torn down in the mid-1960's and replaced by a mid-century modern brick church.

References

External links

* [http://www.ci.big-rapids.mi.us/ Big Rapids official website]
* [http://www.bigrapids.org/ Big Rapids Convention & Visitors Bureau]