Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand Rapids
One of the two versions of the flag of Grand Rapids, used by the city government in an official matter.
One of the two versions of the flag of Grand Rapids, commonly used as a civil flag.
Official seal of Grand Rapids
Official logo of Grand Rapids
Nicknames: 
GR, Furniture City, Beer City USA
Motto(s): 
Motu Viget (Latin)
(English: "Strength in activity")
Map
Interactive map of Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is located in Michigan
Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is located in the United States
Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids
Coordinates: 42°57′40″N 85°39′20″W / 42.96111°N 85.65556°W / 42.96111; -85.65556
Country United States
State Michigan
CountyKent
Founded1826
Incorporated1838 (village)
1850 (city)
Government
 • TypeCity commission
 • MayorRosalynn Bliss (D)
 • ManagerMark Washington
 • ClerkJoel Hondorp (R)
Area
 • City45.63 sq mi (118.19 km2)
 • Land44.78 sq mi (115.97 km2)
 • Water0.86 sq mi (2.22 km2)  1.92%
Elevation
640 ft (200 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City198,893
 • RankUS: 115th
MI: 2nd
 • Density4,442.49/sq mi (1,715.26/km2)
 • Urban
605,666 (US: 70th)
 • Urban density2,207.6/sq mi (852.3/km2)
 • Metro
1,162,950[2] (US: 49th)
 • CSA
1,502,552[2] (US: 40th)
DemonymGrand Rapidian
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
49501–49508, 49510, 49514–49516, 49518, 49523, 49525, 49534, 49546, 49548, 49555, 49560, 49588, 49594
Area code616
FIPS code26-34000
GNIS feature ID0627105[3]
WebsiteGrandRapidsMI.gov

Grand Rapids is a city in and county seat of Kent County, Michigan, United States.[4] At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,893,[5] making it the second-most populous city in Michigan, after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the central city of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, which has a population of 1,162,950 and a combined statistical area population of 1,502,552.[2]

Located 161 miles (259 km) northwest of Detroit, Grand Rapids is situated along the Grand River approximately 25 miles (40 km) east of Lake Michigan, it is the economic and cultural hub of West Michigan. A historic furniture manufacturing center, Grand Rapids is home to five of the world's leading office furniture companies and is nicknamed "Furniture City". As a result of the numerous micro and craft breweries, many with notable reputations nationally and globally, Grand Rapids is also known as "Beer City USA". Due to the prominence of the Grand River, many local businesses and civic organizations use the moniker "River City" in their names. The city and surrounding communities are economically diverse, based in the health care, information technology, automotive, aviation, and consumer goods manufacturing industries, among others.

Grand Rapids was the childhood home of U.S. President Gerald Ford, who is buried with his wife Betty on the grounds of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in the city.[6] The city's Gerald R. Ford International Airport and Gerald R. Ford Freeway are named after him.

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  3. ^ "U.S. Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2001. Archived from the original on December 25, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2009.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on June 26, 2008. Retrieved January 31, 2009.
  5. ^ "Grand Rapids city, Michigan". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 14, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  6. ^ "Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum". Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2013.