Racial and ethnic composition Population decline Big Rapids' population peaked in the 1980s. Since the 1980s, Big Rapids has lost over 46% of its population. There are a number of reasons for the decline, one being the decline in enrollment at Ferris State University.
2020 census As of the
2020 census, there were 7,727 people, 2,996 households, and 1,270 families residing in the city. The
population density was . There were 3,700 housing units at an average density of . Of the 2,996 households, 22.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 24.6% were married-couple households, 25.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 40.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 42.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 3,610 housing units at an average density of . The median age in the city was 22.9 years.
Language The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (98.2%), Spanish (0.7%), Indo-European (0.4%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.5%), and Other (0.2%).
2010 census As of the
2010 census, there were 10,601 people, 3,330 households, and 1,323 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,623 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 87.97%
White, 6.75%
African American, 0.70%
Native American, 1.47%
Asian, 0.02%
Pacific Islander, 0.57% from some other races and 2.52% from two or more races.
Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.38% of the population. There were 3,330 households, of which 22.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 22.9% were
married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 60.3% were non-families. 36.5% 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 2.22 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age in the city was 21.8 years. 12.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 54% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 15.9% were from 25 to 44; 11.2% were from 45 to 64; and 6.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.0% male and 49.0% female.
2000 census As of the
2000 census, there were 10,849 people, 3,388 households, and 1,473 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,654 housing units at an average density of . 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 some other races and 2.30% from two or more races.
Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.83% of the population. There were 3,388 households out of which 25.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.5% were married couples living together, 14.3% have 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% have 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. The median income for a household in the city was $20,192, and the median income for a family was $28,629. Males have a median income of $30,341 versus $19,770 for females. The
per capita income for the city was $10,719. 35.0% of the population and 19.2% of families were below the
poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 29.3% were under the age of 18 and 11.6% were 65 or older. ==Climate==