Big Rapids ZIP Code List — Mecosta County, MI

There is one unique ZIP code in Big Rapids, Michigan and it is 49307. Area code: 231.

ZIP codes

134.52

sq mi land

2.72

sq mi water

231

area code

Big Rapids, MI ZIP code map

About Big Rapids, MI

Big Rapids, Michigan is a charming city located in Mecosta County. Known for its picturesque scenery and vibrant community spirit, it offers residents and visitors a mix of outdoor adventure and cultural experiences. The city is also home to Ferris State University, which brings academic energy to the area.

Location & geography

Big Rapids lies in central Michigan, making it accessible from various other cities. It is approximately 20 miles from the city of Mount Pleasant, 35 miles from Grand Rapids, and 70 miles from Traverse City. The city encompasses a land area of 134.52 square miles, with a water area of 2.72 square miles, featuring natural landscapes including rivers and parks.

Community & economy

The character of Big Rapids reflects a close-knit community with a diverse population engaged in various industries, including education, healthcare, and manufacturing. Daily life here is enriched by local events, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a strong emphasis on family values. Residents enjoy a small-town feel while accessing the amenities typically found in larger cities.

Transportation

Big Rapids is served by major highways such as US-131, facilitating easy travel to nearby regions. The nearest named airport is the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, which is about 60 miles away. Public transportation options include local bus services that connect residents to key areas within the city.

History

Big Rapids was founded in the mid-19th century, with its establishment linked to the lumber industry that flourished in the area. Over the years, it has developed into a hub for education and commerce, highlighted by the establishment of Ferris State University in 1884. A notable event in the city’s history includes the construction of the iconic Big Rapids dam, which played a significant role in the area’s development.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Big Rapids is that it hosts an annual summer festival that attracts thousands of visitors. Additionally, it is known for its vibrant arts scene, featuring galleries and local artists that contribute to the city's cultural fabric.

ZIP codes for Big Rapids, MI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
49307	Big Rapids	Mecosta	View map

Demographics & statistics

18,169

Population

30.7

Median age

$50,573

Median household income

$26,504

Per capita income

$163,900

Median home value

$835

Median monthly rent

62.9%

Home ownership

22.7%

Poverty rate

5.7%

Unemployment

5,384

Housing units

32.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

360

Under 5

368

436

5–9

446

452

10–14

462

910

15–19

930

1,782

20–24

1,822

891

25–34

911

1,004

35–44

1,027

906

45–54

927

492

55–59

504

478

60–64

489

802

65–74

821

338

75–84

345

132

85+

134

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,114	17.1%
18 and over	15,055	82.9%
65 and over	2,572	14.2%
Median age	30.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 86.9%

Two or more races 4.3%

Black or African American 4.2%

Asian 1.8%

Hispanic or Latino 1.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1%

Other race 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	16,038	86.9%
Two or more races	796	4.3%
Black or African American	776	4.2%
Asian	328	1.8%
Hispanic or Latino	292	1.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	176	1%
Other race	55	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 6.3%

$10k–$15k 8.1%

$15k–$25k 9.1%

$25k–$35k 12.5%

$35k–$50k 13.6%

$50k–$75k 15.5%

$75k–$100k 11.8%

$100k–$150k 15.3%

$150k–$200k 3.5%

$200k+ 4.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.3%
$10k–$15k	8.1%
$15k–$25k	9.1%
$25k–$35k	12.5%
$35k–$50k	13.6%
$50k–$75k	15.5%
$75k–$100k	11.8%
$100k–$150k	15.3%
$150k–$200k	3.5%
$200k+	4.4%
Median income	$50,573

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 7.6%

$50k–$100k 14.5%

$100k–$150k 20.0%

$150k–$200k 22.7%

$200k–$300k 20.3%

$300k–$500k 12.7%

$500k–$1M 1.9%

$1M+ 0.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$163,900
Median rent / month	$835
Owner occupied	62.9%
Renter occupied	37.1%
Vacant	13.9%
Single-family detached	61.8%
Large apartment buildings	3.3%
Mobile homes	10.3%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.44

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	6.9%
2000–2009	10.4%
1990–1999	15.5%
1980–1989	11.9%
1970–1979	17.0%
1960–1969	10.6%
1950–1959	9.0%
1940–1949	3.8%
1939 or earlier	14.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.5%
1 bedroom	8.8%
2 bedrooms	24.3%
3 bedrooms	36.5%
4 bedrooms	21.8%
5+ bedrooms	5.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.8%
1 vehicle	32.8%
2 vehicles	37.2%
3 or more	22.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	62.6%
Electricity	12.8%
Propane / LP gas	16.9%
Fuel oil	1.4%
Wood	4.5%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,718	39.9%
Cohabiting couple	607	8.9%
Male householder, no spouse	1,525	22.4%
Female householder, no spouse	1,960	28.8%
Households with children under 18	1,772	26.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,815	26.7%
Average household size	2.32

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	51.9%	40.0%
Married	35.2%	36.6%
Separated	0.4%	1.8%
Widowed	2.2%	9.0%
Divorced	10.4%	12.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.1%

Some HS, no diploma 4.0%

HS graduate 32.8%

Some college, no degree 18.9%

Associate's degree 10.8%

Bachelor's degree 20.6%

Graduate / professional 11.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.9%
Bachelor's or higher	32.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	142	2.0%
Kindergarten	105	1.5%
Elementary school	1,433	20.7%
High school	672	9.7%
College / grad school	4,580	66.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 32.6%

Retail trade 12.3%

Manufacturing 12.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.5%

Construction 6.0%

Professional & management 5.9%

Other services 5.9%

Finance & real estate 4.2%

Transportation & utilities 3.7%

Public administration 3.2%

Information 1.2%

Wholesale trade 0.8%

Agriculture & mining 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	35.3%
Service	19.7%
Sales & office	19.3%
Natural resources & construction	7.9%
Production & transportation	17.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.6%
Government	16.1%
Self-employed	3.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	76.8%
Carpool	7.3%
Public transit	0.7%
Walk	8.2%
Other means	1.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	17.2

Poverty

All people 22.7%

Under 18 years 14.3%

18 and over 24.7%

Married-couple families 4.6%

Female-led households 32.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	30.2%
Retirement income	26.1%
Supplemental Security	7.0%
Cash public assistance	5.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	14.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	26.2%
High cholesterol	25.5%
Heart disease	5.2%
Stroke	2.5%
Asthma	12.4%
Arthritis	21.5%
Kidney disease	2.5%
Pulmonary disease	6.9%
Cancer	4.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	21.3%
No physical activity	20.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.9%
Fair or poor health	14.1%
Poor mental health	20.0%
Poor physical health	10.2%
No health insurance	10.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	69.7%
Visited dentist	63.5%
Cholesterol screening	83.1%
Teeth loss	15.4%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	989	6.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.7%
Under 18	6.4%
18–64 years	13.7%
65 and over	37.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	70.9%
Public insurance	38.3%
Uninsured under 19	4.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	17,441	96.0%
Spanish	168	1.0%
Other Indo-European	65	0.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	36	0.2%
Other languages	67	0.4%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	17,840	98.2%
Born in same state	17,697	97.4%
Born in different state	15,011	82.6%
Foreign born	143	0.8%
Naturalized citizen	329	1.8%
Not a US citizen	184	55.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	2,001	11%
Italian	1,861	10.2%
Arab	910	5%
English	876	4.8%
Irish	152	0.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	141	0.8%
Polish	138	0.8%
Dutch	52	0.3%
Norwegian	44	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.5%
Internet access	95.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Big Rapids, MI?

Big Rapids, MI has one ZIP code: 49307.

What is the main ZIP code for Big Rapids, MI?

The primary ZIP code for Big Rapids, MI is 49307. The city uses area code 231 for phone service.

What county is Big Rapids, MI in?

Big Rapids is located in Mecosta County, Michigan.

How many ZIP codes are in Big Rapids, MI?

Big Rapids, MI has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code covers the Ferris State University campus in Big Rapids?

Ferris State University's main campus in Big Rapids is located in ZIP code 49307, which serves the entire city and university area.

What is the ZIP code for downtown Big Rapids and the Main Street business district?

Downtown Big Rapids and the Main Street commercial area are located in ZIP code 49307, the sole ZIP code serving the city.