Grand Rapids is situated on the Grand River, 35 miles east of Lake Michigan. It is the second-largest city in Michigan and the largest in Kent County, with a population of about 197,000. "Grand Rapids is mostly known for its breweries and healthcare facilities," says Tanya Powell-May, an associate broker at Keller Williams Realty Grand Rapids who has lived there since 1983. "Although it's still fairly conservative, it has a big city feel, with a lot of things to do and a lot of people represented. It's a welcoming community and a great place to raise a family."
Grand Rapids grew in popularity as a furniture manufacturing hub in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The past can still be seen in the factory exteriors and Victorian-era churches that define the city skyline. Today, Grand Rapids' rapid growth and strong economy have made it highly sought after. US News & World Report ranks it as the second-best place to live in Michigan and the 20th-best place to live in the country. Niche gives the city an A-minus rating, with particularly high ratings in nightlife, diversity, outdoor activities and commute. "Despite being a smaller city, we have everything a big city does — museums, Broadway shows, an opera, a hockey team, a minor league baseball team, a really great trail system, you name it," says David Green, the communications director with the city. "And because we are smaller, everything is accessible. We say here that everything is 15 minutes away from everything."
There are multiple stretching highways that closely surround downtown Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids has multiple gorgeous Victorian style churches throughout the city.
Visitors and locals of Grand Rapids know to head to the Blue Bridge for gorgeous views.
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum rests on the Grand River across from downtown.
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A competitive housing market across Grand Rapids
Glittering riverside condos, protected historic estates and affordable midcentury cottages are all available in Grand Rapids — the only problem is snapping one up in time. "Across the city, the housing market has been tough in 2023 and 2024," says Shuyan Shi, a local Realtor with Success West Michigan. "It can be difficult to find a home that doesn't rise in price during a bidding war since the whole city is in high demand." In August 2024, 45% of the homes sold closed above the asking price, and properties spent an average of 15 days on the market.
Single-family homes have a median sale price of $300,000. Smaller homes on the city's edge get as low as $150,000, and historic homes outside downtown go for $600,000 or higher. Townhouses, condos and apartments are primarily found in neighborhoods within a few miles of downtown. Condos less than 1,000 square feet can be as low as $150,000, whereas luxury penthouse suites get above $1 million.
Grand Rapids suffered a major flood in 2013 when the banks of the Grand River rose more than 20 feet. The city has spent millions of dollars on flood prevention, and no event of this magnitude has happened since. However, properties around the river and its watersheds may still have lasting damage or be at a slight risk for future flooding.
Downtown Grand Rapids has numerous condo options from luxury high-rise to converted home.
Heritage Hill in Grand Rapids is a historical home neighborhood.
Grand Rapids has a neighborhoods of every kind from quiet to bustling downtown streets.
Many of the neighborhoods around downtown Grand Rapids are historical and beautiful.
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Recognized as Beer City USA since 2012
Grand Rapids has been named Beer City USA since 2012 and features more than 40 craft breweries. Some of the most notable include the upscale Founders Brewing Company, at the center of downtown, and the west-side Mitten Brewing Co., located in a Victorian-era firehouse. But there are plenty of options. "It's not like St. Louis, where one big brewery dominates everything," Green says. "There are a lot of smaller breweries that are going for real intentionality in their craft — exploring new techniques, new styles, and homages to their cultures."
The city's west side is known for its ever-growing selection of trendy cocktail bars and restaurants, but downtown Grand Rapids is the heart of the shopping and dining scene. The walkable boulevards are lined with James Beard-recognized restaurants, locally owned boutiques and buzzing breweries. Grand Rapids Downtown Market, an indoor food hall with 18 vendors, is an award-winning event venue with year-round public events.
In the years following the pandemic, there are signs of a resurgence in the area's growing restaurant scene. According to data from Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., 14 new businesses opened in 2023, half of which were restaurants. "We have a pretty diverse economy that has allowed us to weather storms like the pandemic," Green says. "And that range of opportunities encourages a wide variety of demographics, giving Grand Rapids a full sense of community."
The Downtown Market is home to dozens of small local shops, vendors and restaurants.
The Founders Brewing Company is one of the largest breweries and restaurants in Grand Rapids.
Downtown Grand Rapids is known for its multitude of colorful building and streets murals.
The Mitten Brewing Company is one of many in and around downtown Grand Rapids.
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World-renowned art festivals
Some of Grand Rapids' biggest events include the comedy-focused LaughFest, which has hosted big names like Whoopi Goldberg and Betty White, and the summertime Festival of the Arts, which celebrates all types of crafts, from dance to film to food. Starting in January, downtown is transformed into a wonderland for the World of Winter Festival. The largest winter festival in the Midwest, this two-month celebration features art installations, an ice-skating rink and regular entertainment. Some notable events include live ice sculpture carving and the Snow Snake competition, a Native American game dating back more than 500 years. The city started the festival to encourage more residents to get outside in the winter.
Perhaps the city's best-known festival is ArtPrize, the most attended public art event in the world. This fall festival opens with a parade and fireworks ceremony and continues over the next two weeks. Artists' work is placed around town and inside local businesses, and visitors can vote for their favorite pieces as they discover them. "The whole city comes alive during ArtPrize," says Evette Pittman, the city special events manager.
Grand Rapids' event schedule is as varied and diverse as its residents are. “We have a Polish Festival, Glimpse of Africa, the Asian Pacific Festival, the Bosnian Day of Remembrance, and so much more,” Pittman says. “We want to make people feel like they belong and that they are a part of the fabric of this city.” Even when there isn't a city-wide event, residents can stop by some of the city's museums, catch an ice hockey game at the Van Andel Arena or watch a Broadway production at the DeVos Performance Hall.
Major employers and getting around in the icy Michigan winters
Due to the city's broad infrastructure, the most convenient way to commute through Grand Rapids is by car. There are a few bike lanes on major roads, and the public bus system, The Rapid, offers 249 vehicles and covers over 185 square miles. Other public transit options include the DASH Bus. The free shuttle runs through Downtown Grand Rapids and provides access to the city's west side. In terms of walkability to retail and shopping, some of the best neighborhoods include Downtown Grand Rapids, Heritage Hill , East Town and SWAN . Interstate 196 runs through the city for longer trips, and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport is 13 miles southeast of downtown.
Though industrial work and education are large employment sectors, Grand Rapids' healthcare facilities are the city's biggest employer. The Medical Mile is a famous, multi-billion-dollar investment located northwest of Downtown Grand Rapids. This renowned healthcare destination features clinical research facilities and academic institutions that attract medical professionals worldwide. Although small, the area contains Spectrum Health Services, Van Andel Institute, Michigan State University's Secchia Center and several other health centers.
According to U.S. Climate Data, the temperature in Grand Rapids regularly gets below freezing from December to March. The temperature in December and January tends to fall below freezing daily, and snowfall averages around 20 inches in those months. The city requires sidewalks to be cleared of snow within 24 hours of the last snowfall. One-Side Seasonal Parking Restrictions are enforced across much of the city — a limitation to keep street parking on the odd or even side of the road to allow for plowing.
Highways 131 and 96 surround downtown Grand Rapids making commuting a breeze.
The Medical Mile is a stretch of medical buildings and hospitals in downtown Grand Rapids.
The Gerald R. Ford is less than 15 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids.
Downtown Grand Rapids has all the hustle and bustle of a major city with small town charm.,
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Public parks that look to the future and honor the past
The city has over 75 parks, ranging from neighborhood playgrounds to world-class entertainment venues. The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is one of the most visited art museums worldwide, with a botanical garden and outdoor sculpture park. "It's a place that we are really proud of," Powell-May says. The Lantern Festival at the John Ball Zoo draws crowds in the thousands, and the riverside slopes of Ah-Nab-Awen Park get filled with picnic blankets before the city's Fourth of July fireworks show. During the warm summer months, Millennium Park's splash pad, lake and small beach are a popular destination. But for a true waterside getaway, the sandy shores of Lake Michigan are just 35 miles away, about a 45-minute drive.
In 2022 and 2023, Grand Rapids renovated 36 of its 75 parks. In the coming years, the city will turn its attention to the Grand River waterfront. Plans include an 8,500-seat soccer stadium and three mixed-use towers to bring more housing and retail. The Acrisure Amphitheater, a $58-million outdoor venue, is already under construction. It is expected to open in 2026 with a capacity of 12,000 people. The riverfront is slated to receive more parks, and the city hopes to eventually restore the rapids to the Grand River. "We are beginning a project of generational transformation with the waterfront," Green says. "In the past, we have been a city with a river. In the future, we will be a river city."
Several of Grand Rapids' parks honor the Native American people who were the land's first inhabitants. Ah-Nab-Awen Park, named for a former Native American village, has a recreation of historic burial mounds. Riverside Park hosts the annual Homecoming of the Three Fires Pow Wow and The Grand Valley American Indian Lodge Traditional Pow Wow. The city is also home to one of the best-preserved Indigenous Hopewell mounds in the western Great Lakes region: The Norton Mound Group.
The Acrisure Amphitheater is an outdoor 7000 seat venue under construction in Grand Rapids.
The Grand River provides all sorts of activities for locals from fishing to kayaking.
The Grand River is lined with dozens of beautiful green parks and art installations.
The exciting John Ball Zoo is only minutes from downtown Grand Rapids.
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Grand Rapids School District and several colleges
With 51 public school options, Grand Rapids Public Schools is the eighth-largest public school district in Michigan and the fourth-largest employer in the city. It holds an overall C-plus rating on Niche but earns A ratings in diversity and college prep. In 2023, the Grand Rapids school board approved a plan to close 10 elementary and middle schools between 2024 and 2031. The school board cites the need to cut costs as a reason for the move.
Powell-May, who is on the school board and sent her children to local public schools, says the schools are a draw. "There are a lot of highly rated, Blue Ribbon Certified Schools, so the public school system is pretty good. We also have good private schools." One notable Blue Ribbon school is the public magnet City Middle/High, which has an A-plus rating on Niche and requires all students to be part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program.
Along with highly rated primary school options, Grand Rapids is home to seven private 4-year universities: Calvin University, Aquinas College, Cornerstone University, Kuyper College, Davenport University, Grace Christian University and Hope College. Grand Rapids Community College is a public 2-year institution in the city, and Grand Valley State University is a public 4-year institution just 12 miles east of Grand Rapids in Allendale.
Burton Middle School is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Harrison Elementary School in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Crime
According to FBI data, Grand Rapids’ property crime rate in 2023 was significantly higher than the national average. The violent crime rate was more than double the national figure during the same period. However, the Grand Rapids Police Department reported an11% decline in violent crimes between 2022 and 2023.
In 2023, the Grand Rapids Police Department updated its strategic plan, which addresses crime reduction, catching suspects and building trust. The plan includes more police officer training, creating data analyses for areas most heavily impacted by gun violence, deploying resources to curb violence, working with community leaders to address concerns, and modernizing outdated systems.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
